After four years as Chamber of Commerce CEO, Scott Soldat-Valenzuela has resigned.

He submitted his resignation April 10 to the board of directors. He said he is moving with his husband, Jeff, and their two youngest children to Fort Collins, Colo.

He will remain in his post until the end of August. He hopes to find a similar Chamber position in the Fort Collins area.

“I have enjoyed working alongside an engaged board, the business community and the many residents of this great community,” he said in a press release.

Board chairman Rosaria Cain, founder of Knoodle Advertising in Phoenix, said the “mood of the board was upbeat despite the unexpected news.”

Cain was quoted in the press release as saying that, “Scott succeeded in changing the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce into a thriving entity with an eye on the future.

“We support his decision and are grateful for his time, effort and achievements.”

“He has spearheaded the move for an enhanced Chamber with a slate of new services,” reads the statement. “Most recently, he finalized the purchase of the Chamber’s adjacent lot to accomplish the first step in a major renovation.”

Soldat-Valenzuela said the Chamber plans to move forward with the proposed remodel and expansion of the present office building as it meets the board’s vision for the organization’s future.

Plans are to add approximately 4,500 square feet of additional space to the facility at the corner of Palisades Boulevard and Verde River Drive.

A final remodel plan to and architectural renderings are in the process of being created, he said. Dennis Brown of Echelon Builders is the contractor for the project.

The release also credits Soldat-Valenzuela for sharp increases in revenue, membership and participation.

The board plans a nationwide search for a successor. More information will be provided in May, said Soldat-Valenzuela.

Before accepting the local Chamber position in October 2014 to replace the late Frank Ferrara, Soldat-Valenzuela was president/CEO of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce for three years.

Prior to that, he spent seven years as the executive director of the Skills USA Arizona Association and an 18-month stint with ARPOLA, an online rental property owners association.