Chamber board relieves executive director of duties

The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors made the decision to fire its executive director, Camille Fontenot, during its board meeting on Wednesday.
In an e-mail sent from Chamber of Commerce President Luke Deville later that day, it states, “Today, the Board of Directors met to discuss the future of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce. As a result of the meeting, the Board of Directors has relieved Mrs. Camille Fontenot of her duties as the Executive Director of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce. There has been fine work over the years by our previous executive director and we are grateful for her contributions and years of service.”
Fontenot has served as the executive director of the chamber for nearly the last eight years, and she said she was “unaware” that they would be letting her go.
“I loved my job, and I wasn’t ready to go.” said Fontenot. “I was totally unaware that they were going to fire me, and that is really what deeply hurts.”
However, Fontenot may not be with the Ville Platte Chamber anymore, but she plans to remain active in tourism and economic development for the Evangeline Parish.
Fontenot said, “I will continue to work throughout this parish in different capacities to keep economic development and tourism alive in this parish.”
The board’s decision, according to Deville, was “necessary for the chamber to move in a new direction.”
In the president’s e-mail it states, “As an organization, we are looking to build on our mission by extending our reach and services to the entire Parish, as well as encompassing all businesses across Evangeline. Our new direction calls for new leadership. We are excited to bring in a new leader to help us expand our capacity and impact.”
According to Deville, the chamber plans to form a search committee for the hiring of a new executive director. There will be an interview process for the applicants.
For the time being, Sonia Ardoin will be the interim-executive director.
Deville said, “Until we hire someone, Sonia will take over, and the board members are going to chip in and help them in the office. We are all going to just keep moving forward with a positive outlook.”