Blair County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director retires after 27 years
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Joe Hurd has served on the Blair County Chamber of Commerce since 1997.
At 70 years old, he decided to take advice from an old song about poker. “As Kenny Rogers says, ‘[You got to know when] to hold them and [know] when to fold them.’ And I think it’s time for me to fold them,” Hurd said.
After 27 years of being the executive director, Hurd plans on retiring on August 30.
“I knew at some point, the day would come when it would be a good, logical move for me to make,” Hurd said.
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In his time, the chamber has seen growth under his watch. Memberships have grown from 600 members, when Hurd first stepped into the office, to now over 1,000 businesses partaking in the organization.
Part of that growth has come from businesses networking with one another, especially small businesses in the area. This promoted an atmosphere of community and learning, with the idea to raise one another up.
“The number one reason is networking,” Hurd said. “And I think it’s businesses, like the small business community, that really wants to be able to be part of something that they feel strengthens their business.”
The relationships with these businesses have given Hurd memories to cherish once he moves into retirement. However, he knows that the economy of Blair County will continue to move along as normal.
“Just being able to pull people together when things need accomplished is something that has happened or will happen, with or without me,” Hurd said.
As the book closes on Hurd and his time with the Chamber of Commerce, he won’t leave his successor in the dark. He gave one tip to keep the good times rolling.
“Things will go much better if you are looking at them through the right lens and being a positive person,” Hurd said.
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Retirement won’t be dull, as he plans on filling that time continuing what he loves to do every week: morning pickup basketball at the Blair Regional YMCA.
“It’s been a great thing to get up for,” Hurd said. “We have a group of guys that play at six in the morning a couple of days per week.”
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