RF Chamber leader Bump accepts new job; will oversee Winter Carnival

Rosanne Bump, chief executive officer of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau since 2004, will leave that position Jan. 11th to accept a new job as leader of the St. Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation.

Her main responsibilities at her new position will be to manage and oversee the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Cinco De Mayo Festival, according to an announcement sent out late Friday morning by Maranda Mahr, an assistant at the River Falls Chamber office.

Bump became executive director of the local Chamber in 2004 and was instrumental growing membership from a little more than 200 to over 320 members. Other accomplishments include establishing room tax in the City of River Falls to be used for visitor development, securing a $15,000 tourism grant for a new Bluegrass and Roots Festival and enhancing the visibility of the Chamber in the community.

Melissa Wilson, current board chair and Scott Morrissette, 2012 board chair, said in an e-mailed note to the membership that the board of directors want to "thank Rosanne for her commitment to the Chamber and Tourism Bureau and dedication to improving the business community of River Falls. We wish her well as she moves on to this next phase in her career."

Board leadership expects to appoint an interim CEO that to direct day-to-day operations and supervise the staff until a formal search is completed and a new CEO is hired.

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