The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce rolled out the red carpet last Thursday evening to introduce members to its new president, Dori Stone, at a special Business After Hours event at Riverside Theatre. The event was co-sponsored by Marine Bank & Trust.

Stone stepped into her new role Aug. 6 following the retirement of Penny Chandler, who served in the position for 23 years.

Guests began the evening by nibbling on hors d’oeuvres catered by Wild Thyme Catering in the Orchid Lobby while listening to the music of the Bobby Owens Band and chatting with local business professionals. The monthly gathering provides an opportunity for chamber members to network in a social setting at local businesses.

Afterward, the standing-room-only crowd moved into the Waxlax Theatre to meet Stone, the eighth chamber official to hold the position in the nonprofit’s 94-year history.

“Dori Stone brings with her an understanding of the Florida economics and business growth that we believe will benefit our local businesses, economic development and tourism,” said Robert Paugh, board chairman.

Stone, who earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida, comes to Indian River County with 32 years of public planning under her belt. Having lived in Central Florida most of her life, she brings a unique perspective to her role as chamber president following a career peppered with experience in community redevelopment, site plan review, long-range planning and visioning.

Husband Tad Stone also holds a position of leadership within the county. The couple relocated to Vero Beach last year after he was offered the position of assistant fire chief and, within the span of a year, the former fireman and Seminole County Public Safety Director was promoted to the position of Indian River County Fire Chief.

“We both fell in love with this community the first time we drove through it,” said Dori Stone. “The community has been so warm and accepting. We see ourselves here through our retirement and feel like this is a community we can really re-transplant our roots into.”

Giving a nod to Alma Lee Loy, the “first lady of Vero Beach,” she noted the importance of the legacy to which she’s been entrusted, saying, “I’m going to continue to respect the legacy of this organization and what came before me. But I also recognize it’s my job to look at what comes next.”

Stone said she is looking forward to the challenge of having the chamber stay fresh and relevant. Her plans include conducting a membership survey, developing a program to engage high schoolers and get them started down a community-service path, and reviewing current programming and events.

“We’ve got an interesting dynamic of multi-generations in Indian River County. I see the job as being very much one of caretaker, entrepreneur and innovator. I have a great staff, a great board and a community that I believe supports the chamber,” said Stone.

She added that when businesses owned by local residents and others invested in the community are able to thrive, the community as a whole will also do well.

For more information, visit indianriverchamber.com