Sedona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Char Beltran announced her retirement, effective Friday, June 1.

Sedona Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Char Beltran announced her retirement, effective Friday, June 1.

Chamber Vice President Jennifer Wesselhoff will succeed Beltran. Wesselhoff was promoted unanimously by the chamber’s board of directors Monday, Dec. 11.

Beltran has been with the chamber for just over five years. She will move to Prescott with her mother and father to care for them as they age.

“They’re my priority,” Beltran said.

Prescott is home to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where Beltran’s father receives treatment.

The chamber hired Wesselhoff as the director of tourism a few months before Beltran. She has worked with Beltran during her entire tenure with the chamber.

“Char [Beltran] and I have had the opportunity to do a lot together,” Wesselhoff said.

Wesselhoff was promoted to vice president six months ago.

The vice president position was created specifically to train a successor for the presidency.

“Succession to me has always been real important,” Beltran said.

Wesselhoff has been preparing to take over for the past three years. Courses she has taken through Destination Marketing Association International will soon designate Wesselhoff a certified destination management executive.

Wesselhoff said this is the path she wanted her career to eventually take.

“It’s just the right time for everybody,” Beltran said.