Tina and Mark Dobson talk with Brad Jackson during the farewell reception. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

WARSAW — A farewell party for Mark Dobson, president and chief executive officer of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, was held Wednesday afternoon in the chamber office.

Dobson will depart from the chamber on Friday. He will take over as president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Dobson, 53, was chosen by the EDC as its new president/CEO following a two-month nationwide search. Dobson has over 30 years of economic and community development experience in the private and public sectors.

Dobson spearheaded numerous successful projects during his more than five-year stint with the chamber. He was named Indiana Chamber Executive of the Year in 2014 for implementation of the chamber’s strategic plan. He was instrumental in raising funds needed to support Elevate Indiana in the North Central Region and oversaw the absorption of Warsaw Community Development into the chamber’s mission.

Tom Till, director of advanced manufacturing at Ivy Tech, right, offers his best wishes to Mark Dobson, center, and Tina Dobson.

Dobson previously served the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County where he established a Community Leader Forum and rebuilt the Public Policy Division. Prior to his service to that chamber, Dobson served as the president of the St. Joseph County Commissioners. His two terms of service to the citizens of St. Joseph County were distinguished by his fiery advocacy for his constituents and his vision of reducing government influence on the people. His concept of Metro-Gov is still discussed when looking at ways to reduce the cost of delivery of government services.

His time in the private sector included a career in the oil industry and real estate.

Dobson and his wife, Tina, reside in Elkhart. They have two grown children, Mitchell, a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force, and daughter, Shelby, an educator in central Indiana.

Over 50 guests attended the event to wish Dobson the best and express appreciation for what he has done for the local chamber.