From Colorado and Texas to Oregon and Washington, Chris Hoffmann has lived in several states.

And later this month, she will be adding one more to the list. After eight years with the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce the Portland, Ore. native is stepping down from her position as president and chief executive officer and retiring in Sarasota, Fla.

“I’ve been extremely happy about this,” Hoffmann said, referring to her time in Redmond and with the Chamber. “The only thing I’m not happy about is the weather. I hate the weather.”

A gray and dreary Tuesday morning — compared to the 85-degree weather in Florida that same morning — proves her point.

Before coming to Redmond, Hoffmann’s background was varied, including working in education and local government. She was also president and CEO for the chamber of commerce in Lake Oswego, Ore. for about nine years. Hoffmann returned to Oregon with her husband, who is now semiretired, to be closer to their grandchildren in the Northwest.

While with the Lake Oswego chamber, she was asked to apply for her current position with Redmond. Although it was the same position, Hoffmann immediately noted the differences between the two chambers, beginning with the interview process. She said from the time she applied to when she accepted the Oregon job, it was eight months. The process in Redmond was decidedly different.

“It was quick. It was like six weeks,” she laughed.

Once she came to Redmond, Hoffmann also noticed how involved the chamber is in government affairs. Hoffmann said she has “enjoyed an incredible collaboration with the city,” adding that her relationship with the mayor, council members and other City of Redmond officials has been one of mutual respect. They may not have always seen eye-to-eye, but they agree to disagree.

Chamber board member William Biggs said those moments of disagreement are where Hoffmann shines.

“Chris is at her best when things are not going well and collaboration is non-existent,” the executive director of the administrative services for Group Health Cooperative said. “It is in these moments that she brings stakeholders together, creates constructive dialog, and solves problems.”

Biggs, who also planted roots in Lake Oswego at one point, has known Hoffmann for about seven years when he became interested in the chamber. He said upon meeting her, she was caring and welcoming and it was clear that she had the business community’s best interests at heart.

“When she observes threats emerging, she speaks clearly, compassionately and thoughtfully,” Biggs said. “But if she is not being heard, she turns up the volume so anyone around her will know what is on her mind.”

He added that the relationship between the City of Redmond and business community has vastly improved because of Hoffmann’s work with elected officials and staff.

Tom Martin, senior vice president of Evergreen Healthcare and the chamber’s current board chairman, agrees. He said Hoffmann has not only built a positive relationship with the city, but with legislators as well, advocating for regional issues such as transportation and working hard to make Redmond business friendly.

“I will miss her warmth and her passion about advocating for chamber members,” Martin said about her leaving.

Hoffmann said when she leaves, she will miss the people she has worked with throughout the years.

“There’s just some phenomenal people I’ve worked with,” she said.

Hoffmann and her husband are moving to Florida on April 19, but they do plan on traveling back to the Northwest to visit their family. However, they are counting on their family visiting their new home, which is two hours away from Orlando and its theme parks, down in the Sunshine State.

“They are in love with Florida and I’m okay with that,” Hoffmann said.

Her last day with the chamber is April 15. When she started, there were about 250 members, now there are about 500. After eight years with the chamber, Hoffmann is proud of the this growth as well as everything she has done during her tenure in Redmond.

“I know we’ve made a difference,” she said. “If you leave it a better place without a lot of footprints, you’ve done a good job.”