February brings changes to the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce as former Director Jenn Oberle leaves her position and Interim Director Kelcie Yockey steps in. Oberle, who served as director for three years, resigned from her position as she and her family plan to relocate to Hawaii.

Yockey assumed the interim director position on Feb. 1 and plans to steer the Chamber as the organization gears up for the annual membership drive and annual banquet. She plans to also continue to host monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month.

Yockey was born and raised in Iowa and moved to Colorado 17 years ago. She graduated from Berthoud High School in 2008. Five years ago, she and her husband, Michael, relocated to Haxtun to help on the family farm that the couple now live on. The Yockey family also includes two small children, Jakson, age 5, and Evelyn, who just turned one.

In her new role with the Chamber, Yockey said she is looking forward to being active in the community and working to make a difference where it is needed most in addition to helping with events.

"Being able to engage in our community," she said. "Whether it be through youth development, the annual events we host in town, visiting with business members and working with community partners."

Yockey said the Chamber just recently completed the Haxtun Ogallala Commonwealth Academy, a partnership between the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce and Phillips County Economic Development.

"Currently we have started our annual membership drive and in the month of February, we will participate in the high school career fair and Phillips County OnBoard roadmap to recovery," she said.

Yockey said as spring and summer approach, she and other Chamber members will start coordinating the annual 4th of July celebration, Old-Fashioned Saturday Night festivities and the back-to-school supply drive.

"The Haxtun community holds a very special place in my heart," said Yockey. "I would like people to feel that I am approachable. If there is ever a need, an idea or recommendation that anyone would like to meet about, I am here and ready to listen."

The Haxtun Chamber of Commerce is managed by a governing board of directors including President Jim Helfer, Secretary Kindra Plumb, Treasurer Gay McDaniel and members Debby McBride and Yockey. There are currently two vacancies on the Chamber Board.

The Chamber is actively taking applications to fill the director position. For more information on the vacant director position, email [email protected].

To reach Yockey, Interim Director, call (970) 467-0194 or at the email above.