Jackson steps down at WPCC

West Plains Chamber of Commerce officials have announced that executive director Joe Jackson has stepped down from that position.

"Officially, Joe Jackson resigned his position on July 31 and the chamber is being run by the executive board at this time," board chairman Doug Kelly said. That news was first made public at the organization's Aug. 16 breakfast meeting, held annually at Roos Field.

As to the reason behind Jackson's departure Kelly deferred, saying it was a personnel matter that he could not discuss. Jackson did not respond to a text message requesting comment.

"We are assessing where we are as we go forward," Kelly said. "We have gotten applications and calls of interest and we'll probably start the process of interviewing potential new executive directors (candidates) in the near future."

Jackson, an Army veteran and graduate of Southridge High School in Kennewick, and Eastern Washington University, formerly served on the staff of state Sen. Michael Baumgartner. He was hired as the chamber's executive director in April of 2015.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.