It’s more of a "see you later" than a goodbye for Ben Fadeyiw, as he announces he is stepping down as president of the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
After seven years with the organization, Fadeyiw is bidding his title as president farewell, but said he still has full intention of lending them a hand when they need it.
When asked why he is making the transition, he explained how his role as councillor for the MD of Bonnyville takes precedence.
“I always made a point of when I got on council, that if I was missing these grand openings and open houses, I would pull back,” he described,
As of Jan. 1, current vice-president Ryan Lefebvre will be taking over the reins for the chamber.
“It’s just gotten to the point where I’m missing too much stuff, and I just couldn’t commit to the chamber. It was best to step down,” said Fadeyiw.
He still plans on working with the chamber board through his position on council, and will continue to volunteer, just in a different capacity.
Over the years, he has worked with the group to come up with new fundraising ideas, and admitted this was something he would miss.
“The brainstorming part of it was a lot of fun. I guess, from what I’ve been told, I’ll still be doing it though,” he laughed, adding he will also miss the people.
Giving back, having "that pulse on the community," witnessing how the Alberta Chamber supports the municipal organizations, and just simply loving their role in Cold Lake were some of the reasons why Fadeyiw continued to be a part of the chamber year after year.
"It was fun bringing businesses up to the forefront of people, and what I liked about our chamber is we do a lot of advocacy. That was a big part of it. We were always writing letters to the ministers about the way we feel on things that are going on," Fadeyiw detailed. "The chamber has a big voice, because they're representing the people in the business community. It was fun."
He joined the chamber as a way of making change within the city.
"I figured if I wanted to know what's going on and the details, and wanted to make a change, then I should step up, and that's what happened," he expressed.
Creating the Lakeland Business of the Year Awards is just one of the accomplishments Fadeyiw played a role in.
He described the endeavour as "brilliant."
"The Business of the Year Awards I guess is my fondest memory... The fish fry, and the events like that were really cool."
Fadeyiw feels the Cold Lake business community can expect big things from the new team.
"They're going to be leading with a little more oomph... (Chamber members are) in great hands, and they can expect more great things from the chamber."
