Tammy Thurow Leaving BBV Chamber For Eureka Springs

Northwest Arkansas

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) December 4, 2015 3:52 pm 215 views 

The Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce has hired Tammy Thurow as its new president and chief operating officer.

The position has been vacant since March, when Mike Bishop, who had been president and CEO for four years, was fired, he believed because of a statement the chamber released regarding an anti-discrimination ordinance passed by the City Council.

Damon Henke has been serving as interim director of the organization, which has approximately 390 members. In a press release issued recently to chamber members touting the organization’s successes in 2015 and its plans for 2016, Henke commented, “All bills are paid, visitor services have been refocused, publications are ready for the 2016 season, and our mission to operate forward as a fair and non-discriminatory organization is in place.” 

Thurow is the vice president of membership and development at the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, and has worked for the organization since October 2004. Her last day there will be Dec. 15. That same evening, she will be introduced to the Eureka Springs community at the annual chamber banquet at the Inn of The Ozarks.

Thurow will begin her new job on Jan. 4.

“It’s bittersweet because I do love this area so much, but at the same time I feel like I’m ready for that next step and a new adventure,” Thurow said.

Thurow, who studied marketing at Middle Tennessee State University, said her proudest accomplishment at the BBV chamber is spearheading the creation of the WalStreet Speaker Series, a program developed by the chamber to strengthen the connection between Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the supplier community.

“It is near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Jack Moyer, vice president and general manager of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, also serves as treasurer of the Eureka Springs chamber board. He said the job had “well over” 100 applicants.

“We are very excited to have Tammy join us,” Moyer said. “She has a really strong foundation in chamber work and that’s what we are looking for here. The chamber is pretty important in Eureka Springs, as I’m sure it is everywhere, but it is a real foundation for our success.”