Tim Sink, president and CEO of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce since 1992, announced Thursday that he would pass the torch come fall. 

Sink oversaw a doubling of the association’s membership to more than 800 and growth in its programming, particularly its offerings for students and young professionals, the announcement noted. The Chamber, through Sink, was also an active voice driving downtown revitalization projects like the Main Street renovation and redevelopment of Horseshoe Pond, efforts he said he was proud of in an interview with the Monitor.

“I have had the privilege of serving this dynamic chamber through some challenging and exciting times,” he said in a written statement. “It has been an incredible and fulfilling opportunity and I am beyond grateful for the hundreds of talented and generous volunteers and staff that have helped build this organization into what it is today.”

Chambers of commerce bring together local companies, organizations and business leaders and speak out on their behalf — The Greater Concord Chamber has been around since 1919 and is the state’s largest.

Whoever next takes the helm will face a shifting economic and political environment at the local, state and national level, Sink said. Drawing in new development to grow the city’s tax base will be essential, and creating more housing for the region’s workforce will, too, remain a top priority.

At the same time, he sees opportunities for Concord to continue to grow its tourism profile, particularly as a historic and artistic destination. 

“We have a tremendous amount of culture, art and music that we can capitalize on,” he said. 

What makes the business community in the capital area unique in Sink’s eyes is tight-knit feel. 

“We are a small community with large ambitions,” he said. “It feels like family.” 

When Sink steps down in September, he’ll stay in the area and won’t fully retire, he said. Beyond that, he has no set plans. 

The chair of the chamber’s current board of directors, Grappone Automotive Group President Larry Haynes, praised Sink’s leadership and his dedication. Haynes will appoint a committee to select Sink’s replacement.

Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com. You can subscribe to her Concord newsletter The City Beat at concordmonitor.com.