Who starts their first day on a new job with a board meeting followed by a mixer?
Allie Jeffery, that’s who.
Jeffrey is the new executive director of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, and is aiming to take the organization to new heights.
She’s taken the baton from interim executive director Gina Blom.
“I don’t know how Gina did it, working just 10 hours a week,” said Jeffery, referencing the restrictions placed on her predecessor. “I think I worked 10 hours that first day alone.”
Jeffery, a longtime force in the community, has spent the last seven years as associate director of research cohorts for EMC Health Foundation and Legacy Health Endowment.
“My goal is ‘One Turlock,’” said Jeffery, a former member of the city’s parks and recreation commission. “How do you make Turlock better so that there’s one better Turlock? One Turlock that’s better than the one you started with.”
Blom was a member of the chamber’s board of directors from 2016 until she took over as executive director in 2020. She helped guide local businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time when many chambers folded completely, Blom kept Turlock moving forward, despite her part-time status, and being a full-time business owner. She’ll be returning to her role as a member of the board.
“I am so proud of what the chamber accomplished over the last few years,” said Blom. “After such a long search to find the right person, I’m excited for Allie to come lead the chamber and see all the new possibilities for our community.
“We had quite a few applicants, but when Allie applied, I was like, I think Allie’s the one. She’s smart, she’s connected, and she’s just got the energy.”
Jeffery, a native of Turlock, has a background in strategic planning and business management. She is a prior honoree of Divas on Broadway and the Outstanding Women of Stanislaus County. She is also a member of the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock.
“We are incredibly excited to have Allie step up to the role of executive director," said board chairman Alan Eighmy. “Allie brings a wealth of experience and community knowledge to the chamber. Her approach to reintroducing the community to the resources and support of the chamber team has been refreshing.”
Jeffery already has a full to-do list for the coming weeks.
On March 14 at 9:30 a.m., then again on March 24, Jeffery will hold a “Coffee and Conversation” session, where the public is invited to meet with her at the chamber office, located at 151 S. Golden State Blvd.
On March 18 is the Ag Scholarship Luncheon at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, in addition to a chamber mixer at Balanced Books, 331 E. Main St., from 5 to 7 p.m. that same day.
“We going to try as hard as we can to celebrate every business and what they’re good at,” said Jeffery, who’s been a member of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce in the past through various business organizations. “I want to talk to as many people as possible about why they’re in the chamber, or why they’re not in the chamber, and what they think about the chamber… The chamber has been a little big quieter than it was prior to the pandemic. And before we get bigger and louder, we want to make sure we’re giving people what they want.”
As for Jeffery, this job is exactly what she wants.
“I think I’ve been down a lot of avenues looking for this fit,” she said. “I’ve done everything from sitting on committees at the city, to sitting as a parks and rec commissioner, to non-profit leadership, to other jobs I’ve had. I didn’t know it at the time, but they all prepared me for this opportunity.”
