Good time to celebrate success

She came to Clovis with her military family when she was 10 years old.

In 1975, she graduated from Clovis High School before entering Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management.

She kept a low public profile most of the next decade, raising children, before accepting a part-time administrative assistant position with United Way.

She wasn’t ready for a full-time job, she would say years later, but soon enough it was ready for her.

In September 1988, the local United Way’s executive director resigned ... and destiny kicked in.

In her first year as the non-profit agency’s boss, there were many concerns.

United Way hadn’t made its fund-raising goal in 10 years. In 1989, she lowered the goal from $260,000 to $200,000 — a realistic standard, she thought.

Five years later, that realistic goal was up to $250,000, and had been exceeded — to $263,504. And community leaders had taken notice.

In September 1995, she accepted a position created just for her by the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce — the director of community development and tourism.

Changing jobs was not easy.

“There were so many things to consider,” she told a reporter, “but after much prayerful thought, I came to the conclusion that it would be a good personal growth experience as well as a big career advancement for myself.”

The Clovis News-Journal called her “one of the most effective executive directors in the history of the local United Way.”

In February 1996, she was named the Chamber’s executive director and announced “We have big plans.”

Those plans included efforts to bring a cheese processing plant to town and “developing an industrial park.”

Both missions have been accomplished.

Today is a good day to look back on her career, because this week marks Ernie Kos’ 24th year with the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

Area business leaders this month are celebrating Kos’ 25th year with the Chamber. Maybe that’s because somebody thought she started in 1994. Or maybe it’s because she’s always been ahead of her time, destined to achieve so many big plans.

David Stevens writes about regional history for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at:

[email protected]