Gorman leaving Nevada-based chamber
By Kathryn Reed
After more than nine years as CEO-president of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, B Gorman is being asked to move on.
She is leaving in May when her contract is up. The board chose not to renew it.
B Gorman
“Her tenure as CEO was an exceptionally long one for someone in her position. It was definitely time for her to go,” one board member told Lake Tahoe News. However, it was not a unanimous vote.
Chamber CEO tenure is usually about five years.
Gorman has been the only leader of this chamber. She started Oct. 2, 2006, taking control of what was the merged Tahoe Douglas and South Lake Tahoe chambers of commerce.
It didn’t take long for disgruntled members of the South Lake Tahoe chamber to form a chamber that today some call the little chamber or California chamber. It’s been an issue Gorman has had to contend with this whole time.
She plans to stay in South Lake Tahoe and start a consulting firm helping businesses. Gorman did not want to talk to Lake Tahoe News now about her departure and future plans.
Prior to moving to Lake Tahoe in 2006 for the chamber job, Gorman had been a regional director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She has been a ski instructor at Heavenly Mountain Resort and has a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
The chamber has formed a committee to search for the next CEO.
God help them. I understand finding fresh blood, but perhaps it would have been better to hold off during an election year….Just saying.
Right decision! This was also an issue with the directors of, and her predecessors in, the premerged chambers.
A chamber dir. is supposed to be someone, since they are viewed as a leader of the business community, who has had recent business experience. Experience that they can reflect upon when dealing with current business issues.
It’s not supposed to be some ‘tenured’ ivory tower position. Both Bee, and her predecessors, could lecture about their opinions. And many of us would be a little put off, as we were sure they had no clue as to what they were talking about.
Throw in the fact that Bee was uber arrogant. And had multiple times been overheard being quite ‘catty’ in expressing herself. She was divisive to say the least. Yes, time to move on!
B Gorman brought a wealth of nonprofit experience as well as retail, marketing, and operational experience to the chamber. We are losing a very, very competent CEO and someone who had and has a bigger vision for this small town than most people here are comfortable with. I say that as someone who has worked in both the corporate environment and has been a small business owner for 20 years. It’s a shame the board chose to let her go.
well Betty I am sure you will be like a Cat and land on your feet.
good luck trying to make a real living here in Town.
Chief, what any entirely sour thing to say. I’m sorry for you.
Cheif Slowroller = Mark Cutright.
I find it disappointing that some still insist on referring to the Tahoe Chamber as the Nevada-based chamber. A majority of members are California based businesses, and the Tahoe Chamber truly represents our community as a whole. This is tired rhetoric and just continues to attempt to create divisiveness within our community. The Tahoe Chamber has done a fantastic job rising above the rhetoric and the grumbling to actually affect a difference in our economy and our community. This needs to be celebrated by all who work/live/play in this area. B was an extremely strong leader in affecting that change. I continue to applaud her in consistently rising above the negativity and fighting for a community that she loves.
Writers use BASED all the time to signify where a company is located. It’s the same as saying headquartered. Why would the Tahoe Chamber (and an ex-employee like Shannon) be upset by people knowing it is located in Nevada?
Definition of BASE(D):
situate as the center of operations.
“a research program based at the University of Arizona”
synonyms: locate, situate, position, install, station, site, establish; garrison
“the company was based in Quebec”
Of course the offices for the Chamber are located in Nevada, and I understand the definition of based; however, for reasons that I’m sure you understand, since you a researcher, referring to Tahoe Chamber as Nevada based is solely meant to discredit the work the chamber does for California based businesses. It is playing to a polarizing view within segments of our community of Tahoe Chamber’s loyalty. And as an ex-employee, I know that the loyalty of the chamber lies with our community, regardless of the stateline.
I didn’t read it in that context, especially with how the other South Shore chamber is referred to in the story.
If it had said — Gorman leaving big South Shore chamber — would that be better? Gorman leaving chamber — does not say which chamber.
What would your headline be?
Gorman Leaving Tahoe Chamber (the common name of the entity she’s leaving) or even Gorman Leaving Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (the legal name of the entity). Although to be clear, the other chamber’s legal name is South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Not the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, which actually became part of the Tahoe Chamber.
Now you know what people say when ‘the line crosses me’ enters the conversations! Mexicans say it all the time.
I have personal experience with this particular Stateline. With children, grandchildren and business’s on BOTH sides. They reside 2 miles apart and the grief one suffers up here residing/driving back and forth 2 or three times a day between school and business is disgusting!!!
These TWO communities should get their collective a***’s together and leave the hard working ‘local’ people alone.
B Gorman is the best thing to happen to SLT. In order to grow, B needs to move on. She is definitely going to be my consultant. Let’s wish her the best. Tip: B should be on search committee.
Roger, I tend to disagree with the statement “B Gorman is the best thing to happen to SLT” My experience, and I can only talk for myself in this situation, has been mostly on the negative side. I have been a member of both chambers and a member of the first chamber since the late 80’s through several business adventures I have owned. My latest business adventure is a Motorcycle shop and clothing line. I joined the chamber as Skibumfamily Inc dba Tahoe Skibum. Shortly afterwards another person came into town and joined the chamber as Tahoe Skibum llc. B allowed it to happen. I have been a member of this community for over 39 years and have always contributed to the community in various ways. Where was the loyalty? Where was the common sense? If I did not know any better I would think it was personal. At last years business expo Tahoe Skibum was the only name NOT listed as a vendor even though I paid. I wonder if I took another name like ” Tahoe Chamber llc” if I would be allowed to join.I have normally had very good interaction with B and the Tahoe Chamber but this latest slap in the face will cause me to not renew my membership in the Nv based chamber. Yes they are a chamber that covers both sides and actually do it well but they are based in Nv. I think I will stick to the Ca based one for now. My opinion only.
Going from a president of the chamber of commerce, a president who advised owners of VHR’s, a president who didn’t pay her TOT and was busted, and now going on to consultant work to probably advise more VHR owners on how to not pay the TOT.
Good Riddance, and someone better be watching her and those she advises to make sure they are all paying the TOT on their vhr’s.
And a lawyer to boot, using her knowledge to skirt the law !
Yes Arthur, you captured Bee’s mentality. She definitely thought her vision was too big for us yokles.
But thanks Steve for reminding us all how a woman with supposedly such a great vision somehow either forgot, or really just thought she could get away with, not paying her TOT. Bee was quite fortunate to keep her job after that.
But good to know Bee has decided to still live in this town and consult us with her bigger vision!
And all this sarcasm is derived from the fact she once tried to lecture me on a topic which she knew nothing! about. But still annointed herself an expert on the matter.
Kenny,
Perhaps that’s because Tahoe Ski Bum is trademarked and your entrenched in an ongoing legal battle. The Chamber is simply avoiding liability. It’s not personal, it’s a direct result of the ongoing legal battle. That opens up the Tahoe Chamber to being sued….
Just trying to explain it friend. You’re mad at the wrong people.
What is with all the sour grapes in this town? Why so petty?
Tahoe Skibum is going to lose their trademark with the US Trademark office. No on can trademark Tahoe and Bum Equipment registered under Bum Equipment the name Skibum in 1994. Argos you do not have a clue as to what is going on nor what has gone on. I have a case with the other one with small claims, superior court and the trademark office and they have all done a preliminary ruling in my favor. This has been a two year battle. If you would like to call me that would be better and preferred so you can post here from what is true and not speculation. Unless you are his lawyer or my lawyer you do not know squat. I am not mad either, I am disappointed, Big difference. Thanks
Nice to know ‘B’ has loyal staff (Shannon), but the Nevada-base ‘stuck’, as the lasting impression is one of asking “Jump!” with its’ ongoing response of ‘how high ?’ – in a period which needed more innovation than inspiration (how about both ?) than a declining gaming industry can muster, but which can easily lead to that ‘uber-arrogant” opening if one answers to only a few ‘Silver/Platinum’ sponsors. . .[a variation on defining “arrogance” is to concede everything to ‘them’, and not much to anyone else]
The current push for entrepreneurs has more to do with the need for a Bill Harrah or a Harvey Gross, as they alone had an entrepreneurial spirit that created a Tahoe economy – I can think of no other to recognize as such over the past 40 years. . .so, in a way ‘B’ didn’t have much to work with if listening primarily to current corporate gaming people. . .
Gaining alliances with TRPA in the name of economic development has not been an answer, although most thought so in recent times. . .
Parker, B has never indicated her vision is too big for “us yokels,” so you inferred something that is not the case. I’ve been in this town a long time and can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard long-time residents talk about the good old days and how progress and change is ruining this town and how it’s not the same as it used to be. Those people are the people that lack vision and are afraid of change.
And I’m sorry you felt slighted or insulted by a conversation you had with B. It sounds like you haven’t recovered from it yet. I wish you nothing but the best in working through your issue. There’s probably a 12-step program for unresolved anger. Google it. ;-)
Parker, B has never indicated her vision is too big for “us yokels,” so you inferred something that is not the case. I’ve been in this town a long time and can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard long-time residents talk about the good old days and how progress and change is ruining this town and how it’s not the same as it used to be. Those people are the people that lack vision and are afraid of change.
And everyone makes mistakes.
I’m sorry you felt slighted or insulted by a conversation you had with B. It sounds like you haven’t recovered from it yet. I wish you nothing but the best in working through your issue. There’s probably a 12-step program for unresolved anger. Google it. ;-)
No Arthur, all I said was that your words reflected her mindset. As it’s obviously clear by your name calling that you’re close to her.
I recovered from the conversation just fine. But was able to get a read on what she’s all about. And for the record, I was all for the change of merging the two chambers.
Looks like though you need a 12-step program on how to be on a blog, as you posted the same comment twice.
I was kidding, Parker. Being sarcastic as you were. And my posting twice is what you’re going to “get me on?” The app failed as they are wont to do and then I I fat fingered the Submit button. My mistake. I’ve been in the tech industry for 30 years but apparently I’m incompetent like B is because of a mistake.
I’m not close to B, BTW. Another assumption on your part. I know her professionally.
Kenny you are correct I don’t know squat, but I know it is happening and was happening at the last chamber expo. That’s my point. People tend to stay away from litigious situations. You can’t blame them for not wanting to get involved. They should have refunded you the money though. That part I find shocking.
Argos. Thanks
B Gorman has made a positive impact on our community and implemented programs to support the success of businesses and the local economy. Leadership Lake Tahoe is one example of a program that is hugely successful by providing education and tools for new leaders resulting in a more engaged community. She will be missed.
FYI, Leadership Lake Tahoe was started before Bee came to town!
Kenny- I would like to point out that you registered for the Business EXPO under Lake Tahoe Custom Cycles and that was that name that we printed as an exhibitor. You had motorcycles on display and it was a big hit for our guests and I hope for you as well. I had no idea that you had any issue until now. If you had wanted Tahoe Ski Bum to be listed you should have let me know in advance and I would have easily been able to make that change for you. This truly has nothing to do with B or the Chamber and I’m sorry you felt slighted but I do not think this forum is the place to hatch it out.
Emily, I registered under both names and paid double for the booth. The chamber was made aware of this before and the night of the show. I had a great time there and I feel it was well worth it and would do it again. You are unaware of previous times this has happened and totally unaware of the immense financial problems I have encountered due to the other person and certain business’s in town looking the other way causing a lawsuit. I am pointing out that there is no loyalty within the Tahoe Chamber and their inner circle of which I am not a part of. Looking the other way and allowing two business’s with the same name to be in the same chamber for the fear of getting sued or not getting involved in a legal battle is no way to conduct business. The proper way was to remove both of us until the lawsuit was over. If the chamber would have been loyal to an existing business this lawsuit would never have happened. I also seriously doubt the Tahoe Chamber will allow two business’s with the same name again. Thanks for the input but I doubt the chamber would have allowed this with anyone else.
Kenny-
From what I see you paid for one full booth under your motorcycle company’s name. If there was an error in your registration and it should have been under the Ski Bum name then that was an oversight on my part (as long as the Ski Bum company was a member in good standing at that time, there would have been no issue with you exhibiting under that name). As I mentioned before this is the first time I have heard about this issue and I will do my best to correct it. Again, this has nothing to do with B or the Chamber, this was my mistake. I will reach out to you offline to discuss further.
E A, Thanks