NAPLES – Barbara Clark, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce for the past eight years, has resigned her job, but neither Clark nor the chamber president would say why.

Contacted at her Naples home, Clark declined to explain the reasons for her April 5 resignation.

“I loved my businesses, but change happens. But at this time, no, I have no further comment,” she said.

Clark was a mover and shaker in the area’s business community, taking on leading roles on various boards. In addition to her full-time duties leading the 350-member chamber, Clark was a member of the Naples Main Street committee that helped envision and lobby Naples residents and the Maine Department of Transportation to bring about the development of the Bay of Naples Bridge, now under construction.

She also served on the Windham Economic Development Corp.’s board of directors, frequently addressing the Windham Town Council on matters of local business development.

Like Clark, Cheryle Nielsen-Pesce, chamber president, also declined to comment on the resignation. Designated to speak on the matter on behalf of the chamber, Nielsen-Pesce said, “She has been here forever, but unfortunately all I can say is that she resigned. But we wish her the best. I don’t know if she’s moving on to other endeavors. We don’t really know what’s going on, but she did resign and she did a great job over the eight years.”

Clark replaced the chamber’s previous director, Catherine Vickery. Nielsen-Pesce said the chamber has no major upcoming events, and that Sue Bonior will continue in the role as administrative assistant while a new director is hired.

“We’re working to update the job description and then we’ll move forward with trying to find the right person,” Nielsen-Pesce said. “But we are running as scheduled. Business is going well. New members are joining so everything is still moving in the right direction. The chamber is strong.”

Tom Bartell, Windham’s economic development director, often worked on projects with Clark. Most recently the two teamed to bring The Retail Coach to town to conduct a full analysis of the retail sector. Bartell said Clark was a “force for local business” in the area and that he will miss working with her.

“I enjoyed working with Barbara and she helped me a lot,” Bartell said. “She was a good, positive voice for businesses and economic development in Windham and also the region. She leaves a good legacy.”

Bartell also praised Clark for leading the chamber’s hundreds of members through a rough economic period.

“She did a great job keeping the chamber together through some difficult economic times, which is difficult to do,” he said.

Longtime Sebago Lakes Chamber of Commerce executive director Barbara Clark, seen above speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naples bridge construction project in 2010, resigned from the position April 5.    File photo