Rumor control: Former Asheville City Councilman Kelly Miller in line to be next Asheville Chamber of Commerce CEO

Jason Sandford May 7, 2010

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Here’s the rumor of the day: I’ve heard that former Asheville City Councilman Kelly Miller is in line to be hired as the next head of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Miller would replace outgoing chamber president and CEO Rick Lutovsky, who announced in January his plan to retire in September.

Miller is executive vice president/executive director of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau. He’s been active in the local business community for years, and has plenty of expertise.

Who is interested in the chamber job? Would Miller be a good pick? What do you think?

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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4 Comments

RT May 8, 2010

ThePhan writes:

"The aforementioned Google application came from the city (and not the chamber), didn’t it?"

You mean there’s a difference?

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dpe83 May 7, 2010

I know the flawed google application was drafted by the avl chamber’s economic development office. ben league is the manager.

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ThePhan May 7, 2010

The aforementioned Google application came from the city (and not the chamber), didn’t it?

Miller’s hardly a "good ole boy."

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M T May 7, 2010

Kelly Miller is most definitely part of the local "good ole boy" network in Asheville. He’s not particularly creative or dynamic as a leader, but he would be a safe milquetoast choice for an inbred organization like the Chamber.

Rick Lutovsky has had a rocky road at the Chamber, saddling the organization with a lot of debt for the new building, and having very little success with economic development. I think we all remember the poorly prepared Google application from just a few months ago.

Lutovsky was always be there to cut the ribbons, but did very little for the overall community other than collect a very large paycheck for the little work he did. In fact, for years Rick was more frequently seen jogging in North Asheville during the business day than at the office.

The Asheville Chamber is a mostly ineffective organization staffed by good ole boys, and just a few gals.

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