Detwiler retiring from chamber of commerce

Jon Detwiler is retiring as president and CEO of Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services at the end March after 11 years. Detwiler said he made his retirement decision due to health issues. "It has been an honor to serve the people of Tiffin and Seneca County," he said. "It was a great ride." Born and raised in Tiffin, Detwiler left the community in his late teens and worked in sales and marketing. In 2009, he and his wife, Linda, returned to the community where he took the job of president and CEO of the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce, according to a chamber news release. During his years on the job, Detwiler has been instrumental in the revitalization of Tiffin, including being involved with Tiffin Tomorrow, a citizen-led group with the goal of promoting and encouraging economic development in downtown Tiffin, and helping to unveil the Downtown Strategic Survey in 2010. Detwiler also led events for the chamber, especially the Seneca County Farmers Market in Downtown Tiffin starting in 2010. He and Linda organized and worked two Saturdays a month for much of the year. Starting this year, farmers markets are to be organized through a new group. "In 2010, we established the first farmers market in front of the Ritz," he said. "We have grown that ever since to where it is today. "I think the community can be proud that it has a nice farmers market to go to." he said. "It brings people together downtown and provides support for downtown businesses." Under his leadership, Detwiler included the county's visitor services under the direction of the chamber, renaming the organization Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services. He also created a separate organization, Destination Seneca County, under the umbrella of the chamber. Since DSC's inception in 2012, the release said the number of visitors to the community has greatly increased with visitors patronizing local hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. Detwiler said it was important to make sure the chamber and the visitors bureau were "on the same page relative to tourism." "We can point to some very good numbers regarding the lodging tax," he said. Detwiler said he has always appreciated the cooperation among group of people in terms of getting things done including the joining of the two offices. "There were a lot of people involved in that," he said. Also during his tenure, the release said Detwiler's successful fundraising has given the chamber more resources to promote local businesses, added an award to honor local educational leaders, and not only supported Tiffin, but all of Seneca County. Chamber Board Chair Peter Holbrook said in the release that he will miss Detwiler's leadership, but the chamber is well positioned for the next chapter. "Building off of what John has accomplished, we are in the perfect time to transition," Holbrook said. "We have a stable foundation to build onto moving forward." The search for Detwiler's successor will be announced in April.