By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce was without an executive director for just five days.
After announcing Jennifer Fair Margraf’s departure on June 15, the chamber named Kendal Petzold, formerly the assistant executive director, the new exective director on June 20.
“The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to thank the numerous members that reached out after our announcement last week regarding our change in leadership,” said the chamber in the announcement. “Your phone calls, shared comments on social media, and letters to the board all shared the same consistent message which also supports our decision as a board. As of Tuesday, June 20, we are excited to announce our assistant executive director, Kendal Petzold, has been promoted to executive director.
The announcement went on to say that “as a valued staff member since 2019, Kendal has been a pillar of loyalty and support.”
“We believe her skill set, knowledge, and strong connection to our community make her the best fit for this position,” the announcement read. “She has demonstrated her strengths in building relationships, increasing membership, participation in all events from the planning to execution, managing day-to-day activities, overseeing the chamber’s team of ambassadors, she created the monthly Independence Women networking group and leads the committee that guides that group, and has doubled the participants for the annual Women in Business Event since it originated. Of all the many achievements we could list, these are just a handful of her accomplishments since she started with the chamber.”
Petzold grew up in the Ortonville and Clarkston communities, “experiencing the best of both worlds from each area,” continued the announcement.
She worked at a local golf course during high school, college and after graduating from Northwood University. After graduation, she moved home to her favorite place, Clarkston. Kendal studied Marketing and Fashion Marketing and Management and graduated in 2017. While attending Northwood, she led a team of 20 students to plan and execute an annual fashion show, where she crafted her love for event management, fashion, and creative thinking.
“Kendal has been invaluable as a leader within the chamber and the community, and we look forward to her innovative ideas as we move forward in this next chapter,” the announcement concluded.
Margraf had been serving as executive director since April 2022.