Longtime president leaves Elgin Chamber

Leo Nelson accepted the position of president of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce in 2000, promising two years but planning to take it one year at a time and see how he liked it.

Nelson announced his resignation Thursday — 11 years after taking over the chamber’s top position. He officially will pass on his duties Jan. 2 to incoming president Carol Gieske, who has worked as the vice president of communications and special events since 2007.

“It was a smooth handoff from me to Carol and we expect it to be a seamless transition,” Nelson said.

The 77-year-old Elginite, who had his first retirement from Hoffer Plastics not long before joining the chamber, still won’t be leaving the working world for good. He agreed to work in a part-time capacity on economic development for the chamber, provided the City of Elgin renews its contract with the group next year.

Nelson said the chamber used to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for economic development work but stopped when the business license was implemented to avoid asking for money from members who already had been charged.

With fundraising numbers much lower, Nelson said, there wouldn’t be much to do in the name of economic development at the chamber if the agreement with the city is not renewed.

Nelson said he plans to spend his newfound free time with his wife, who retired 10 years ago, and his three grandchildren who live in St. Charles.

Gieske served as president of the Provena St. Joseph Hospital Foundation for seven years and before that as president of the United Way of Elgin from 1986 to 2001. She said she is looking forward to continuing the work Leo “excelled at” and providing quality services to chamber members.

“It’s an honor to be asked to take this position and continue what Leo started 11 years ago,” Gieske said.

No one is slated to take over Gieske’s current position. She will maintain her responsibilities while taking over Nelson’s until a decision is made about the economic development agreement.

City council members are slated to discuss the contract Jan. 26, according to Nelson. Based on the outcome, further staffing decisions at the chamber will be made and Nelson will find out just how complete his retirement will be.