Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber executive plans departure

EAGLE RIVER — Dana Patterson is leaving her position as executive director of the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce in mid-December to return to her former work in continuing education at the university level.

Her last official day at the chamber is Dec. 15. Her final chamber luncheon will be on Dec. 6.

She’s headed to Oregon – specifically to take over at the executive director for Workforce Training, Continuing Education and Community Education at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass.

Patterson came to the chamber in June 2016 after holding a community and continuing education position at the University of Alaska-Anchorage Chugiak-Eagle River campus.

Professionally speaking, she is tickled to be returning to her first passion: education.

“We should all be so fortunate to have opportunities arise – and those for which we are passionate. For me, that passion is lifelong learning. I’m a product of distance education from the bush in Alaska, and my goal is to help others get where they want to be in this world,” Patterson said.

On a personal level, while she will be closer to her father who lives in Oregon and a grandchild she looks forward to spending more time with, Patterson said she will miss her network of friends in the Chugiak-Eagle River including folks she has worked with via the chamber, the college and her colleagues in the Eagle River Area Rotary.

Many of Patterson’s goals for the chamber when she took over from long-time director, Susie Gorksi, have been achieved, Patterson said. These include: automation of office systems: better use of technology in payroll, bookkeeping, creation of documents and forms; to produce reports that document ROI on events for the Chamber; to streamline processes within the organization; and to help bring new Chamber members on board.

“At this point in time, the Chamber is poised for a successful 2018, and I am confident that with the leadership of the Board, President Colin Fay, and the group of dynamic professionals with commitment to Eagle River and Chugiak, that continued success is expected,” Patterson said. She wants her area friends to know, “I will only be a click of a computer away – a dial of a phone – a push of a text message…and I’ll be back to visit one day soon. You’ll all be with me in thought, prayer and in my heart.”