Face of Chamber Retires

For the past 13 years she served as the voice on the phone and the smile at the counter of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. Many Chamber members and most of the people who served as president/chairman during her tenure showed up Feb. 26 to wish Charlotte Kosek a happy retirement.

Past CEOs Betty Wojcik and Jim Bell came to recognize her service. Current President/CEO Kevin Kieft said she really would be missed.

"There's always the glue that holds the organization together and that's Charlotte," said current Chamber Board Chairman Maryemma Bachelder of Lake Wales Medical Center.

The reception at the Ouellette Law Firm was hosted by Jerry Miller of Duke Energy, a two-term past Chamber chairman. Rachel Cullen of Cocoa Cakes created a delicious sheet cake decorated with a camper traveling down the road and the message, "Happy Trails." Well-wishers enjoyed food and drink while heaping praise on Kosek for a job well-done.

"People come and go all the time, but there are special people," Miller said. "Thank you for all the smiles and the great emails."

Kosek got a second going away recognition the morning of Feb. 27 when she attended her final Chamber function - the State of the City Address by Mayor Eugene Fultz at the Vanguard School.

Kosek says she plans to travel a lot and enjoy her granddaughter but will come to as many Chamber functions as possible - as a volunteer.