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Kretsch retires as executive director of Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce

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As a journalism student so many years ago, one of the exercises was to write your own obituary. I managed that one, so I’ve suggested that I write my own retirement story for the Silver Belt. Since a straight recital would be too obvious, here is my take on my retirement.

Ellen Kretsch (that’s me) will retire as executive director of the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 1, winding up 13 years in her position there. Prior to that, she worked 29 years at the Arizona Silver Belt, holding positions from reporter/photographer to publisher, a post she held for 10 years. Opting to work with two companies in her 42-year working career makes her a little unusual in today’s ‘jump from one career to the next’ mentality.

People have always said I am an unusual person…not necessarily a smart one!

I have been blessed (although some might say cursed) to find the job more important than the renumeration. Hence, I worked my way up to publisher at the paper, only to chuck it all away for a position that paid substantially less with fewer benefits. My line to people who asked about the change was, “I thought it was time to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up.”

But there is no doubt about the fact that I have been blessed in my choices of careers. Both the chamber and the newspaper have offered a multitude of opportunities to work in Globe-Miami, always with some amazing people. There is a flip side to that of course, but I figure those instances are just there to make you appreciate the good in life.

The wonderful artists and vendors I meet through the Apache Jii festival have made that one of my favorite events put on by the chamber. Sometimes chalking the streets for booth numbers made me doubt my choice of jobs, but hey, what better way to enjoy the crisp fall morning air in downtown Globe?

Home Tour is the other big event and it is a wonderful way to showcase our amazing community. So besides working with some very welcoming homeowners and a huge number of amazing volunteers, I get to drive new cars for the weekend. Does it get any better than that?

The chamber continues to be a voice for the business community and an enthusiastic voice calling visitors to make their way to our area. The job of tourism promotion is easy when you have such a wonderful destination. The same is true for the many strong businesses that support our chamber in its efforts.

I have some wonderful memories and some great stories; and since this is not my obituary, perhaps I will have the chance to head down memory lane over coffee with anyone who cares to hear them in the future. While quilting, hiking and traveling are on the horizon, I plan to re-engage in volunteering after a period to just “chill”.

I have been active with the hospital foundation, Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum and United Fund in recent years and will continue with them.

The full list over the past 42 years is much longer and after taking that time to sit back and relax for a while, I hope to start volunteering on some of those projects again. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be plenty busy in retirement, probably to the point where I’m one of those who wonder how I found the time to work.

My deepest thanks to the many people over the years who have given me advice, suggestions and the freedom to work on what needs to be done. The list is way too long to thank everyone, so I will leave it with a sincere thank you to the chamber boards over the past 13 years who have allowed me to partner on their vision a what Globe-Miami can be.

Thank you everyone. It has been an honor and privilege!

I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life here in the best place ever to live.