The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is preparing to say goodbye to Magi Aguilar, the executive director since September 2022.

At the end of May, Aguilar will move to her new office in City Hall, where she will replace Sabrina Combs as the new full-time communications director.

In a letter sent to chamber members on April 2, Aguilar said it was a difficult and bittersweet decision.

“(It) will allow me to continue to serve our community and utilize my communication skills on a broader civic scale,” she wrote. “You can still count on me as a strong advocate and the Chamber’s biggest supporter.”

As the executive director of the nonprofit organization, Aguilar has administrative, operational, personnel and financial responsibilities. Under her leadership, the chamber has expanded its social media presence, created new tourism initiatives and marketing strategies, strengthened relationships with the community and welcomed more members.

Events and Logistics Manager Cheryl Grehan hopes the next executive director will show staff the same respect and trust Aguilar has showed them.

“She’s empowered the staff to fully own their job,” she said. “I don’t think there’s a judgmental bone in her body.”

Mayor Ronnie Wright is excited to welcome Aguilar to the city hall team, where he believes she will fit right in.

“Magi knows this community … and cares about this community deeply,” he said.

Aguilar, who is from California and moved to Whidbey almost a decade ago, has a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s in strategic communication from Washington State University.

Since 2000, she has had a variety of job titles, working in California, Illinois and Washington, according to her LinkedIn. Over time, she developed the communications and community engagement skills that led her to landing a job at the chamber almost two years ago.

Aguilar has worked as a reporter for Spanish-language TV network Telemundo, a director of marketing and promotions, a director of events and logistics, a recreation leader responsible for creating programs and activities for seniors, and, before landing a job at the chamber, as the associate director of the state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program on Whidbey and Anacortes.

Community members interested in leading the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce can learn more about the executive director’s responsibilities at oakharborchamber.com and send a resume to ChamberPresident@OakHarborChamber.com.