Longtime chamber director Jensen says goodbye after two decades
Patti Jensen stands in downtown Spruce Pine and smiles. She’s retired after 21 years with the Mitchell Chamber. Mandi Polly is the new interim director.
It’s the end of an era and the dawn of a new one for the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce.
After 21 years with the chamber, longtime director Patti Jensen is retiring. She was honored this past week with a drop-in retirement ceremony at the Market on Oak in downtown Spruce Pine.
In her time as director, Jensen worked to promote Mitchell County and its businesses locally and beyond. Through her efforts, she helped the county be featured in major magazines, websites and media outlets.
Jensen credits former director Shirley Hise for setting an example.
“The lessons I learned from watching her and working with her gave me a new perspective and new mission to always seek ways to help and let the mission of wanting what’s best for our citizens lead my efforts,” Jensen said about the late Hise.
Jensen also worked to help the local economy through special promotions and was instrumental in the operation of the annual North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival.
“Our county is something special,” Jensen said. “Being a resource for our community has been the best career I could have ever asked for.”
Jensen said she plans to spend more time with her three grandchildren and family, but even in retirement, she’s not leaving the community behind.
“I hope to always look for ways to continue to help our community,” she said. “There are exciting things happening in our county with more to come.”
Jensen said the county has untapped potential and she hopes to see everyone work together to continue to grow the area.
In the wake of Jensen’s announcement, the chamber board this past week voted to name staff member and member services director Mandi Polly as interim director.
Jensen said Polly’s promotion to the role will ensure the chamber doesn’t miss a beat.
“This is a great choice for the chamber and its members as Mandi is prepared and well-qualified to take the helm,” Jensen said. “This interim time frame will give the board an opportunity to see that Mandi will be a great choice to transition to the Director’s position not only because of her qualifications but also because she cares about Mitchell County and wants to see our community prosper.”