WICKER PARK — At the helm of Wicker Park and Bucktown's business community for four years, Adam Burck is stepping down from his role as the executive director of the area's chamber of commerce, it was announced Tuesday.
"I am happy to report that the Chamber has achieved many great things over the past 4 years and is positioned to continue on this path. I regret to inform you, however, that I will not be able to share that journey with you," Burck wrote in Business Essentials, the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter.
In a telephone interview with DNAinfo Chicago, Burck said his last day on the job will be Wednesday.
"It's been rewarding to work with the community and I've enjoyed the dynamic of all of the business members," he said.
The impetus for Burck's departure are family issues that require his attention and time away from Chicago for the remainder of the year, he said.
Al Spenadel, the chamber's treasurer and a member of its board of directors, said the news of Burck's decision to leave the chamber, "came up quickly."
"I enjoyed working with him and wish him well on future endeavors," Spenadel said.
Since taking the reins of the chamber in September 2010, the non-profit business organization at 1414 N. Ashland Ave. has grown from 170 to over 400 members under Burck's direction, while web traffic to the chamber's website has spiked, too.
Burck was the driver behind several new initiatives such as bringing a free "What's Happening in WPB?" press release program to members, launching a community-wide acoustic music CHILLfest, a TAP Beer Fest and a Dinner Crawl, among other popular events.
Read Burck's full letter to chamber members here.
Ginna Ryan, director of the chamber's volunteer board, will be responsible for conducting a search to replace Burck.
Ryan was not immediately available for comment, however Spenadel said that while being the director of a chamber is a challenging job, "It's a great opportunity for the right person, especially in our wonderful neighborhood that we have here."
