Business

Word on the Street: Al Smith leaving Fresno Chamber of Commerce on Friday

The Fresno Bee
As chief executive officer the past 10 years of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Al Smith, left, was the face of the city’s business community. Here, he introduces Bud Richter, right, as the 2006 Leon S. Peters Award winner during the chamber’s annual awards luncheon.
As chief executive officer the past 10 years of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Al Smith, left, was the face of the city’s business community. Here, he introduces Bud Richter, right, as the 2006 Leon S. Peters Award winner during the chamber’s annual awards luncheon. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA Fresno Bee file

Al Smith, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive officer the last 10 years, is retiring effective Friday, April 1.

Smith was initially hired as interim CEO with the 1,200-member business group. But his short-term stint turned into a second career for the man who spent 47 years in the radio business.

New chamber CEO Nathan Ahle, formerly government relations manager for the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, has been on the job since Feb. 22.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: Al Smith leaving Fresno Chamber of Commerce on Friday."

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