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Yuma County Chamber Director to Retire in August

John Courtis, who has served as the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director for the last six years has announced his retirement. 

Since starting at the economic development agency in 2014, Courtis has collaborated with hundreds of locally owned businesses in Yuma County to bolster collaboration and economic success.  

 

He retires Aug. 28 and plans to move back to Prescott to be closer to family. 

 

"It's truly been an honor and a privilege to serve the business community in Southwestern Arizona. There is a generosity and a spirit that exists here that exists in no other place," John Couris said. 

 

He had planned to make the announcement back in February but had to put it on delay due to COVID-19. 

 

Looking back at his career, in 1978 Courtis shared that he was the youngest account executive ever hired at the Los Angeles Times. "Curtain down, Curtain up, in 2013 I looked around at the Yuma Sun and I was the oldest guy on the second floor," he said. "It happened in a flash."

Courtis would then go on to join The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce in 2014. Working with then Chamber head, Ken Rosevear. 

 

In his first interview with KAWC, Courtis explained how he dropped anchor from Prescott to Yuma and how he is one of the many who was consumed by Yuma's generosity and community.

 

He has agreed with the Board of Directors to stay on part-time through the holidays to ensure a smooth transition and be able to assist the new change in leadership.

 

Courtis will miss the Yuma community and his team at the Chamber. 

 

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