Nearly two months after the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce announced the retirement of President and CEO Lisa Krueger, a replacement was named.
In mid-April, the organization released news that after 27 years with the Havasu and Parker Chambers of Commerce, a longtime member had made the decision to retire. According to a press release provided by the Chamber of Commerce, current Director of Communications and Outreach for the Lake Havasu Unified School District, Andrea Herat, will assume a new role starting August 1.
This isn’t the first time Heluert has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce. Krueger, a former alumnus of the organization’s Leadership Lake Havasu Program, said Herat has volunteered for many of the Chamber’s programs over the years.
In addition to participating in leadership groups, Herat was also a former member of the Advanced Leadership Lake Havasu program, Krueger added. Mr. Herat was also involved on the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Education and remained on the program more than a decade ago when the Chamber was transferred to the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce Foundation for Education and Leadership. She is now the leader of the Leadership Alumni Network Committee, and she continues her job as a board member of the foundation, Krueger says.
“Being able to hand the torch to a local, someone I’ve probably known for 20 years…and having been a volunteer for the Chamber for many years now, I know I understand the purpose of the Chamber. “We are doing it,” said Kruger. “It’s comforting to know that it’s in the hands of a woman I know, respect and trust.”
Heluart has extensive experience in previous teaching careers, both as a Jamaican primary school principal and as a former teacher. Besides his academic background, Hellart owns her Ulu Consulting, which provides clients with mentoring and leadership skills consulting.
The decision to select Herat to replace Krueger was made through a selection committee made up of members of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee. Herat’s husband, Jason Herat, was not involved in her decision-making process after Herat made her interest known to the chamber, according to a chamber press release.
The press release further states that Herat will work with Kruger during a transitional period until Kruger’s departure on August 31.
Herat, who has been involved in education for 21 years, says he will no longer serve as district educator once he becomes president and CEO. Krueger added that Herat’s experience in life coaching helps bring people together to accomplish tasks.
“For now, I am fully committed to that role,” Herat said of his new seat on the floor. “We are not done with education or support for the district.”
For more information about the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce, call 928-855-4115 or visit www.havasuchamber.com.
