Mosher to leave Gallup chamber

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

Herb Mosher answers a reporter's question Wednesday morning during a news conference announcing his resignation from the Gallup Chamber of Commerce. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

GALLUP — Herb Mosher announced Wednesday he is stepping down as executive director of the Gallup Chamber of Commerce, effective June 30.

He's leaving, he said, to take a position as fundraiser and vice president of development for Wyoming Catholic College, which is opening its doors this August in Lander, Wyo.

Mosher has been head of the chamber of commerce and the McKinley Development Foundation for the past three years. Before that, he worked in fundraising and development for the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital and the Western Health Foundation.

He said Wednesday he has given college officials a two-year commitment and plans to return.

"I'm not selling my house. I plan to come back here and retire," he said.

Ralph Richards, president of the chamber board, said he tried to talk Mosher out of leaving but didn't succeed.

Since becoming director of the chamber, Richards said, Mosher has turned it around, made it more active on issues pertaining to business and has increased its membership from 222 members to 357.

"He led us through the merger of the chamber and the foundation; coordinated our successful efforts to bring the Gallup Cancer Treatment Center to our community and helped raised funds for the new RMCHCS Dialysis Center," Richards said.

Mosher has also been credited with helping the Western Health Foundation raise millions of dollars over the year with its Charity Golf Tournament to purchase new equipment for RMCH.

His newest adventure came about because two of the teachers he worked with at the University of Kansas in the 1960s are the leading forces behind the creation of the new college.

The liberal arts college will be accepting 50 students during its first year of operation, having classes in temporary buildings while Mosher and others try to raise $253 million to create a permanent campus.

The college has already received a donation of 2,000 acres of land, and Mosher said he plans to spend the next two or three years helping the college reach its fundraising goals.

"I'm excited about the prospect," he said, adding that the college will be unique among other colleges with its approach to college life.

For example, when students report to the campus on Aug. 8, they will have two weeks of orientation, which will consist of a great deal of wilderness training. Since the college has also received a donation of horses, students will have an opportunity to learn horseback riding.

Richards said the chamber is now accepting applications for Mosher's position and is looking for someone who is highly self-motivated, dynamic and aggressive.

The chamber is currently trying to decide how much to offer as a salary, but Richards estimated it would be in the $55,000 to $75,000 range. He also said he would like to see the chamber narrow down the field to six finalists by May 15.

Persons who want to apply should contact the chamber at (505) 722-2228.