The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new president after accepting Bill Bassham's resignation last week.
Jason Whinghter, the chairman of the North Augusta chamber's board of directors, said Bassham submitted a letter of resignation May 23.
Bassham, of Aiken, served as president for almost two years. He said he is retiring to dedicate more time to his family, specifically his grandchildren.
"I'm looking forward to spending some time with them," Bassham said. "I enjoyed it and love North Augusta. I wish everybody there the best, and it's just time for me to go on to another phase in my life. Right now, family is No. 1, so that's where I'm concentrating."
Whinghter said the chamber's executive board considers the split to be amicable.
"He did a very good job of involving the chamber with statewide issues, and policies and programs that affect us more on a state and regional basis," he said.
He said the position will remain unfilled until a candidate is selected. In the interim, the chamber will operate with normal business hours and the executive committee will be involved in day-to-day operations.
Whinghter said the board is finalizing its criteria for candidates.
"We'll be looking for somebody with chamber experience who has worked with a city of similar size to North Augusta, with a chamber of similar size -- and who understands what the chamber does for a small-town community," he said.
North Augusta has a population of 20,000 to 30,000, and the chamber has approximately 450 members, he said.
Whinghter said the chamber will advertise for the position locally and in trade publications. He said it could take two months to fill the position, but the board will not rush to make a decision.
"We want to make the right choice and find the right person to fill that spot," Whinghter said.
Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3352 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com
