Glendale Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Robert Heidt announced his resignation Thursday afternoon in a letter.

According to an article published Friday in The Sacramento Business Journal, Heidt accepted the same role with the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

The letter reads:

Dear Chamber Members, Community Partners, and Industry Leaders:

Throughout the past 10 years, it has been a great honor to serve as the President & CEO of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. Today, it is with mixed emotions that I have informed the Glendale Chamber’s Executive Board of my intention to depart from this role. This decision was certainly not easy and was something I deliberated upon extensively. I believe in the power and importance of the Chamber and have dedicated myself and my career to this field. It is with great appreciation and humble heart that I also announce my acceptance of another incredible opportunity within the Chamber industry. As my last official day with the Glendale Chamber is but weeks away, I remain committed and look forward to continuing our meaningful work.

If I take just a moment to reflect on the past 10 years, it is abundantly clear we have much to be proud of. With the unwavering support of an incredible Chamber team and forward-thinking members and partners, we have advanced both the organization and our community in vitally important ways. A few of the accomplishments we should celebrate include:

• Leading business retention and expansion strategies resulting in job creation, payroll dollars and sales tax revenue.
• Forging partnerships centered around economic development initiatives thereby ensuring business integration in the community.
• Growing the Glendale Chamber into one of the largest business organizations in the West Valley and one of the largest Chambers in the state of Arizona.
• Leading with a member first approach thereby resulting in a continual increase in engagement and retention.
• Launching such critical and impactful committees as Public Policy, Education, Military & Veteran Affairs, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Ambassador and Marketing.
• Successfully launching the Glendale Chamber Political Action Committee.
• Welcoming a full-time lobbyist to advocate for pro-business policies at the state level.
• Respectful yet steadfast advocacy which led directly to the implementation of the first Non-Discrimination Ordinance in the West Valley.
• Implementing a new website, social media and marketing strategies while also realizing an online payment system resulting in increased engagement and operational efficiencies.
• Launching the Glendale Chamber Community Foundation.
• Re-envisioning all events and sponsorship opportunities resulting in record attendance while exceeding projected revenues.
• Relocating the Glendale Chamber to foster partnerships focused on the development of vital business incubator space while simultaneously realizing more efficient utilization of member investment monies.
• Creating a new Chamber magazine “The Voice of Business” with increased circulation and advertising sales.
  
  While there are many other milestones to highlight, it is important we take just a few moments to reflect upon the incredible progress we have made as a team and community! Thank you for your membership investment, your time as a volunteer and your commitment to the community.
  
  It has been my privilege to work shoulder to shoulder with so many devoted professionals, individuals who care deeply about the vitality of Glendale and the West Valley. In today’s highly competitive, global environment, it is critical that America’s Chambers strive for world-class commitment and meaningful results - together; we have done just that! I give much credit to the incredible Glendale Chamber team (Jim, Aubrie, Shea, Karli, Jackie, Kim, Susan, Harry, and David) our ever present and engaged members, and partners I have had the honor of working with.
  
  A heartfelt thank you goes to each of you for allowing me to serve as your trusted partner. I am grateful for every milestone reached and every bridge built; I will carry each of those remembrances forward. I wish each of you the absolute best, now, and in the future.
  
  Sincerely,

Robert W. Heidt, Jr.
President & CEO
Glendale Chamber of Commerce