‘She did some remarkable work’: St. Charles Chamber of Commerce director retires

Former St. Charles Chamber of Commerce executive director Deborah Gurley retired this month after more than two years of leadership.

Chamber board Chairman Joshua Feagans said Gurley did a remarkable job getting the chamber back on track and revitalizing the St. Charles business community.

Feagans has been on the board since 2020 but has known Gurley for more than a decade through her work as a Realtor, and got to work closely with her during his time on the board.

“She did some remarkable work,” Feagans said. “You don’t lose someone as experienced as Debbie and not feel it.”

Feagans said Gurley became director during a difficult time for chambers and businesses nationally, shortly after the pandemic. He said she really took control of the chamber and did a great job revitalizing it, making sure its regular events were still being held while adding a lot of new ones.

Feagans said Gurley was able to consistently grow membership, and excelled in not only the fun parts — like interfacing with the public, hosting and attending events — but also in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the job.

He said the chamber is in the process of interviewing candidates for the interim director role, which board members hope to identify by month end. He said before they start the search for a permanent director, they plan to reevaluate what they’re looking for in the role and the chamber’s direction going forward.

“We just wish (Gurley) the best, and we’re very optimistic that when we come out of this and we enter 2025, we’re going to be in very strong footing, with a very strong director and on a very exciting course,” Feagans said.

Feagans said the role of the executive director is to chart the course of the chamber, monitor financials, make sure businesses are coming in, membership is stable and members’ needs are met. The director’s biggest responsibility is making sure events are successful, from signature community events to small monthly meetings, he added.

Leadership, vision, confidence and the ability to delegate and rely on others are qualities sought in a chamber director. Feagans said the chamber is not just there to provide networking opportunities, but to provide professional development, outreach, tools and resources, and to advocate for members.

Gurley is a Realtor with Miscella Real Estate of Geneva and will continue her career part-time after retiring as executive director. She has been a chamber member for 17 years. She said when she joined, the St. Charles chamber was the most business focused and most helpful for her real estate business.

Gurley was named chamber executive director after the position opened while she was chairwoman of the chamber board. She initially took over as interim director, and eventually became executive director in 2022.

“Having a strong business background allows you to bring your skill-set to any kind of job,” said Gurley, who never intended to be the director long-term. “I really knew in my heart I wanted to go in, fix some things, make some things better and put them in a good position going forward, and I feel very proud that I did all of that. Now, it’s time for someone who can come in for the long-term.”

During her two years as director, Gurley introduced Chamber of Commerce Week in September, to celebrate chambers locally and on a national level. She started a nonprofit committee, a business-to-business leadership group, the young professionals council, the Espresso Yourself monthly coffee meeting, “Up Close and Memorable” — the chamber’s podcast, and the Business of the Month recognition.

Under Gurley’s leadership, 180 new members joined the chamber, and she played a major role in writing the chamber’s first grant application, securing $50,000 from the state.

Gurley said her favorite parts of the job were highlighting people and businesses in the community and fostering connections between community members and businesses.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than that,” Gurley said. “That is truly a blessing to be able to do that … I just love being that conduit.”

Gurley plans to continue working part-time as a Realtor, make time for more volunteering, and continue serving on the board of Mutual Ground in Aurora.