The longtime executive says he's announcing his retirement now to allow the chamber time to search for his replacement.
Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Guidry says he'll retire by the end of 2013, giving the chamber ample time to conduct a search for his replacement. Guidry has been with the local business lobbying group for 35 years.
Rob Guidry
Guidry's retirement follows a similar announcement earlier this year by Gerald Breaux, who retired from the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission after three decades.
Long considered a possible successor to Guidry is Bruce Conque, the business advocacy organization's vice president of marketing and governmental relations. Conque joined the chamber in October 2008, resigning from his position on the Lafayette City-Parish Council to accept the job.
"Certainly, I am interested and will submit my name for consideration by the search committee when it convenes next year," Conque tells ABiz. A former broadcaster and marketing executive, Conque works to increase the chamber's profile and participation in the business and civic community. Last year he was the most vocal proponent of deconsolidation of city and parish governments, an effort defeated at the polls by a 63-37 percent margin.
Bruce Conque
The chamber's chairman, Jerry Greig said in a prepared announcement that Guidry will remain in his current capacity until his successor is seated and a seamless transition is completed. "I commend Rob for his professionalism and transparency in providing the organization with the opportunity to be deliberate and measured in its approach to finding a successor," Greig said.
Guidry said in the announcement that he plans to remain fully engaged in the business and social aspects of the community after his retirement.