New chamber executive director chosen

The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) has chosen a new executive director.

Beginning Dec. 5, Olds resident Robbin Corsiatto will replace Barb Babiak, who has been executive director of the ODCC for 21 years, ever since this version of the chamber of commerce was founded.

Corsiatto is an Olds resident and has a long history of working with the town and other local communties.

From 1995 to 2004, she was the community program coordinator with Olds Neighborhood Place.

From 2004 until 2014, Corsiatto was the executive director-coordinator for the municipality of Carstairs.

She now independently consults for a variety of organizations.

The chamber's executive director search committee liked that history. But committee members also liked the fact that Corsiatto has extensive fiscal experience in budget preparation, fiscal forecasting and working in a non-profit environment.

She also has experience promoting and organizing events as well as undertaking strategic planning, something the chamber is involved in right now.

During an interview with the Albertan, Corsiatto was asked why she applied for the job.

“I guess I've always admired entrepreneurs and business. I've always been interested in it and excited about it,” she said.

“I love things like Dragons' Den and all those kinds of shows where people are in business for themselves and trying to provide something that people need.”

She concedes there'll be an adjustment period.

“The adjustments are going to be getting back to a regular hourly work week because I've been kind of floating around on my own, doing freelance work and work with my husband here and there and delving into crafts and craft fairs,” she said.

“But I've worked my whole career with boards and community, so it's just adding in the business aspect of it.”

Chamber president Stephen Dodwell is impressed with Corsiatto and confident she'll be a great fit with the organization.

“I think what Robbin brings to the table is just some fresh persepective. She's had some experience in not-for-profit organizations,” Dodwell said.

“She knows Olds very well. It was a big surprise to realize that everybody I tried to introduce her to she already knew. She knows the area, she knows the people. She's lived here an awful long time.”

He likes Corsiatto's personality.

“She seems calm, good natured,” Dodwell said. “She has a great enthusiasm to do the job well and she understands that she has a big task ahead of her and that the (economic climate) is not the easiest.”

Dodwell said it's tough to see Babiak retire because she's been with this version of the chamber of commerce since its inception and thus knows its history and how to get things done.

“Barb is an exceptionally organized lady and she goes about her tasks in a calm, efficient manner. She has a good sense of humour, but she just gets on with her job,” Dodwell said.

“If I've ever asked for information, if I've every asked for something to be presented, if I've asked for background, she just does it – very, very efficiently, very effectively and very succinctly.”

Dodwell is confident that, despite her retirement, Babiak will still be around to help with the transition.

“Barb is not disappearing,” he said. “She may be going off for her cruise and taking a well-earned break, but she's always at the end of a phone or an email when we say, ‘where is it,' ‘do you remember this?' ‘How do you do that?' Barb's not going to let us down.”