AHOSKIE – The Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce has a new leader.

Dan Joyner has been named as the Executive Vice President of the Chamber, succeeding Jerry Castelloe, Sr. effective August 1.

Castelloe, who spent nearly three years as the Chamber’s lead official, recently accepted a management position with Jernigan Oil/Duck-Thru.

“First things first, the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce wishes Jerry the very best in his new position,” Joyner said. “Jerry did a fantastic job as Executive Vice President for the nearly three years he served in that position. Jerry had a very positive impact on the Chamber and the community.”

As far as his new role was concerned, Joyner stated he was humbled by the opportunity to serve a growing organization.

“I’ve been active in the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years,” Joyner noted of his involvement with the organization, which includes two stints as President of the Board of Directors (1999 -2001 and 2009-2011). “I feel my involvement with the Chamber over the years should allow for a nearly seamless transition as we continue in our effort to serve our members by promoting their business operations in Ahoskie and the local area.”

A native of Woodland, Joyner is a graduate of Wake Forest University.  Following graduation he worked with his father in the trucking and agri-business in Woodland for 10 years.  He then spent the next 26 years with Greene-Bryant-Joyner Agency, Inc. in Ahoskie.

He has been active in the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department for nearly 28 years and currently serves as its Secretary. He has been a member of the Ahoskie Rotary Club for the past 26 years.

“We lost a good leader in Jerry Castelloe, but we’re replacing him with an equally good leader in Dan Joyner,” said James Eure, President of the Ahoskie Chamber’s Board of Directors. “When Jerry called to tell me he was leaving for another job, I related that to a dark cloud hanging over Ahoskie. With Dan opting to take the job at the Chamber, the sun is shining once again.”

While he stressed that Castelloe had performed admirably as the Chamber’s Executive, Eure said he expects the same work ethic from Joyner.

“We’re excited to have a person the caliber of Dan Joyner lead our day-to-day operations of the Ahoskie Chamber,” Eure stated. “He is a well-known and respected businessman in Ahoskie and the local area. Those characteristics will bode well for the Ahoskie Chamber.

Castelloe officially notified the Chamber’s officials and membership of his resignation in late June. His last day with the organization was June 30, although he agreed to man the office the second week of July while Chamber administrative assistant Betty Rawls was on vacation.

“I have enjoyed serving you as Chamber Director, but I have an offer I feel I must accept,” Castelloe said in his resignation letter dated June 28. “I want to thank each of you for allowing me to represent the Ahoskie Chamber for the past three years.  I have enjoyed working with each of you and will always treasure the friendships I have made here.”