POST FALLS — To Cindy Jordan, Post Falls is a special place because of how its government, chamber of commerce and school district work side by side.

“They work to better the citizens of Post Falls," she said.

Jordan is the controller for Jordan Sales and Service, a Post Falls tractor company she owns with husband Brian Jordan. A longtime chamber member, Cindy Jordan shared her thoughts Tuesday at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's Connect4Lunch event at Prairie Falls Golf Club, during which she was introduced as the incoming chamber board chair.

"It is very refreshing as a business in Post Falls to know I have connections," she said. "And I gained them as being a member of the Post Falls Chamber."

The final chamber meeting of the year brought with it a few goodbyes as well as the announcement of the 2024 board of directors.

Post Falls Chamber CEO and President Christina Petit recognized outgoing board members Jerry Lyon and Julie Holt with tokens of appreciation as well as words of gratitude.

“Jerry Lyon was the chair when I started and Julie Holt was the chair-elect,” said Petit, who became chamber president in fall of 2020.

When she began this journey, Petit said COVID-19 was a challenge. She was learning a new role and trying to reinvent the wheel every month.

"And it was a lot," she said.

Holt and Lyon were her mentors through a difficult time.

"Now they’re very, very dear friends and I’m really going to miss them, but they’ve earned the right to retire," Petit said. "They deserve to go do new and fun things and I know they’re not going to be strangers in the community.”

She also thanked the outgoing chair, Post Falls School District Superintendent Dena Naccarato, for streamlining processes and helping to take the chamber in the direction it wanted to go.

Naccarato thanked her in return and thanked local businesess for the opportunities they provide students in the district.

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise young people,’” Naccarato said. “Post Falls is fortunate and unique in that our chamber, city and school district all work closely together to do the very best we can for our children.”

The Post Falls Chamber reported a member retention of 86.83% this year. It welcomed 114 members for a total of 502. It held 63 events in 2023, with 2,351 people attending. It also held numerous events, ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings.

The final meeting of the year also meant the longstanding joyous tradition of a whole-group singalong to "The 12 Days of Christmas," led by outgoing Post Falls City Council President Kerri Thoreson.

    Post Falls Chamber President Christina Petit, center, honors outgoing board members Julie Holt and Jerry Lyon for their service and mentorship during Tuesday's chamber meeting at Prairie Falls Golf Club.
  

    From left, Alan Wolfe, Melissa Schock, Chuck Ethridge and Jeff Rocco contribute their theatrics to the two turtle doves verse during a whole-group singalong of "The 12 Days of Christmas" Tuesday at the Post Falls Chamber's last meeting of the year.