Chamber History
The Beginning - 1970's
The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce began in 1970 as the “Kittatinny Recreation & Tourist Association.” As a forerunner to today’s County Chamber, the KRTA (as the organization was referred to then) was comprised principally of area recreation and tourism operators. Its goal was that of promoting the Kittatinny mountain region, primarily Sussex County, as a prime vacation and travel area. Within its first year of operation, KRTA membership totalled approximately 40, many of whom are members of today’s Sussex County Chamber of Commerce.
A New Name and Director - 1980's
The “Kittatinny Recreation & Tourist Association" was eventually renamed the Sussex County Chamber in 1980 and its focus expanded to include all commercial, industrial, retail and recreation entities in Sussex County and adjacent areas. The Chamber hired its first executive director, Donald W. Holmes of Frankford, in 1988. Holmes was a retired IBM executive with 33 years of experience in business and financial planning. Until that time, the Chamber had been operated by its Board of Trustees on a volunteer basis.
Tammie Horsfield Heads Chamber - 1990 +
Chamber President, Tammie Horsfield, celebrated 25 years with the Chamber in 2015. She assumed the post in 1990 and has been at the helm of the Chamber ever since.
The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce began in 1970 as the “Kittatinny Recreation & Tourist Association.” As a forerunner to today’s County Chamber, the KRTA (as the organization was referred to then) was comprised principally of area recreation and tourism operators. Its goal was that of promoting the Kittatinny mountain region, primarily Sussex County, as a prime vacation and travel area. Within its first year of operation, KRTA membership totalled approximately 40, many of whom are members of today’s Sussex County Chamber of Commerce.
A New Name and Director - 1980's
The “Kittatinny Recreation & Tourist Association" was eventually renamed the Sussex County Chamber in 1980 and its focus expanded to include all commercial, industrial, retail and recreation entities in Sussex County and adjacent areas. The Chamber hired its first executive director, Donald W. Holmes of Frankford, in 1988. Holmes was a retired IBM executive with 33 years of experience in business and financial planning. Until that time, the Chamber had been operated by its Board of Trustees on a volunteer basis.
Tammie Horsfield Heads Chamber - 1990 +
Chamber President, Tammie Horsfield, celebrated 25 years with the Chamber in 2015. She assumed the post in 1990 and has been at the helm of the Chamber ever since.
