Ron HarrChattanooga’s primary job development agency is looking to fill its own top job.
Ron Harr, the CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce for the past year and a half, announced Monday that he has decided to take early retirement by the end of June on the advice of his doctor.
Harr, who turns 60 in May, said he was recently diagnosed with extreme hypertension during a routine health examination.
“While this condition is very treatable, my family history suggests potentially serious risk factors,” said Harr, whose father died of a stroke at age 39. “As a result, my doctor recommends removing myself from full-time employment as the best chance to extend my life.”
Howard Levine, chair of the Chamber board, said Monday he was disappointed to be losing Harr, who he said “did an outstanding job” as head of the 1,806-member business group. But Levine said he plans to appoint a panel this week to begin a search for Harr’s replacement.