SANDPOINT - After three years on the job, Kathleen Hyde is bidding her position as the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association manager a fond farewell, effective Feb. 1

With new endeavors on the horizon, Hyde decided that the time was right to leave her position at the DSBA.

"I'm not leaving with any disgruntlement or anything like that," she said. "Marketing has always been my real passion, and some opportunities in that area have come up."

According to Hyde, the DSBA won't be missing her too much. She'll still be maintaining significant involvement with the DSBA committees. In addition, she'll also be available to help her replacement for the next three months.

"There's a lot to download when it comes to this job, Hyde said. "I want to make myself available to help ease that transition."

As Hyde prepares for her career change, which focuses on marketing projects both locally and outside the state, she's leaving plenty of room to focus on downtown Sandpoint.

"I'm putting together a business plan that will allow me to continue a lot of what I'm doing downtown right now," she said.

For Hyde, the transition is bittersweet. Despite her plans for continued efforts downtown, she said she has grown attached to her job over the years.

"In a lot of ways, this switch is double-edged," she said. "I've really taken ownership over that position and it's sad to see that go away."

As Hyde reflects on her work for the DSBA, she highlights her work to install a kiosk downtown as particularly notable. She also takes pride in her efforts to change Sandpoint's laws, allowing individuals to camp on city property.

Although the position was often difficult, she said it allowed her experience and learning opportunities she would have otherwise missed.

"Even though I've been through some pretty heavy situations, I look back at it all positively," she said.

The DSBA board members expressed their appreciation for all of Hyde's work in a press release.

"Kathleen has been an integral part of this organization and we would like to thank her for all her hard work and wish her well in her future endeavors," said DSBA President Kathy Friedmann.

As the board members bid Hyde farewell, they continue searching for her replacement. Accepting applications until Jan. 10, they encourage qualified candidates to view the job description and application details at www.downtownsandpoint.com.

Hyde encourages her replacement to maintain honesty, not take criticism personally and ask for help whenever necessary. She said that downtown Sandpoint is too important to be hindered by sensitive egos.

"Everybody needs to work together and look at the big picture," she said. "The downtown is the heart of our city, and we all need to support it."