Judy Kramer
County Reporter
Pamela Burnham stepped into the position of Warsaw Chamber of Commerce Director on Monday, October 2. She comes to the chamber from a diverse background in municipal parks and recreation where she honed her skills in coordinating program events, marketing campaigns and volunteer activities.
“Pamela also has a solid background in office management and leadership with a gift for inter-agency cooperation and building community connections,” said Luke Johnson, Vice President of the Chamber Board. “While the new executive settles into her role, the board has been diligently working on implementing new strategies and updating policies to serve the chamber’s members more effectively. These initiatives will require time for proper setup, but the board is committed to delivering valuable new programs and services.”
Burnham said that she opted to apply for the position being that she had been in marketing and programming for many years in Independence and felt that the position seemed right in line with her previous experience.
Originally from the small town of Carrollton in Missouri, Burnham has also lived in New York City, Colorado Springs, CO and the KC metro area since 2002.
She and her husband purchased a home last year in Clinton but were unable to be there full-time until this May.
Burnham says that she is eager to discover all of the attributes of Warsaw and the surrounding area. She is busy learning the ropes and having fun exploring the community.
"Besides being a crafter and cat owner, my husband and I love to fish and kayak," Burnham said. "We knew we eventually wanted to retire to this area, so we took advantage of the housing market last year and sold our house in Sugar Creek. We are especially happy that we don't have to go far now to do the 'outdoorsy' things we love. We've sat many hours on the docks of Drake Harbor, the banks of Berry Bend and Finey Church Road with baited hooks, waiting for the tug of our lines!"
Tugging on Burnham's line on her first day in the office is the annual Heritage Days event.
"Heritage Days is first on my event agenda," she said. "I'm excited to be a part of it this year."
Combined, Burnham and her husband have 4 adult children and will be welcoming their tenth grandchild in late November.
Johnson further reported that the business landscape in Warsaw has undergone significant changes since the chamber’s inception and it is recognized that it will continue to evolve in the future.
"The board’s commitment to our members is unwavering, then and now,” said Johnson. “As the chamber navigates a period of transition and transformation, it remains committed to its mission of supporting local business and fostering a thriving community.”
