The Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce is dealing with a sudden shift in leadership.

Effective Tuesday, Kris Marshall is no longer executive director of the chamber. Alan Hall of Gardendale has been named interim director.

Marshall’s departing was a “mutual agreement,” according to chamber president Robert Cloud.

“She decided to go in a different direction and we decided to go in a different direction,” he said. “It’s sad for both parties.”

Cloud said he and Hall will be filling in at the office.

“We’re not going to let the chamber suffer by any means. We’re going to keep going and everything will be status quo,” Cloud said.

Marshall, who had been executive director for 15 months, said she resigned from the post because “there were philosophical differences between the executive board and myself. I had to choose between being a voice for the chamber membership or being an executive director that had restrictions that limited my ability to represent the membership.”

Marshall later emailed the board members informing them that she rescinded her resignation.

However, the board voted on Tuesday to accept the resignation anyway.

Board member Kenny Clemons, who was there Tuesday when the board voted, said all members present were in agreement to accept the resignation. Not all 14 board members were at the meeting.

“It has been truly an honor to have served each and every business in our community,” Marshall said. “I want to encourage businesses to continue to stay active in the chamber as well as support your fellow businesses as you always have. The chamber is in a better place than it has been in many years; it is thanks to the support of our strong business community.”

Hall has served on the chamber board for four years and will be installed next week as the body’s secretary.

“It won’t be new territory for me,” Hall said. “Kris did a great job of building relationships and I want to continue to bring the unity that the community needs. I will be really involved in the community. I’m really excited about the adventure.”

Hall can be reached at 631-9195 or 514-2226.