Cory Skeates has resigned as president and CEO of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, a post he has held since 2015, the organization announced today.
Skeates resignation takes effect immediately.
According to Will Link, chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, “Following multiple conversations between Skeates and leaders from the Executive Committee related to fully realizing the Lakeland Chamber’s mission and vision, Skeates chose to tender his resignation to allow a change in leadership in the best interest of the chamber.”
Skeates said he has no further comment at this time beyond his quote in the news release.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the businesses of Lakeland and sharing my vision for what chambers of the future must do to remain relevant while continuing to focus on their mission. It was an honor to represent the Lakeland Chamber as Chair of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP), as a member of the Board of Regents for the U.S Chamber’s Southeast Institute for Organization Management, and through service on many other local boards and committees.
After six years of leading the Lakeland Chamber, I am proud and satisfied with the progress we have made as an organization, especially during a pandemic which witnessed the demise of too many businesses and chambers. I wish the Chamber nothing but success in its path forward.”
The Lakeland Gazette was today that Skeates plans to stay in Lakeland until at least the end of the school year as he ponders next steps.