Carol Odell, CEO and executive director of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, will retire on Friday, May 3, 2013.
Odell began her career with the BBB in March of 1992, serving as the director of member services. She was named to her current position in May of 1999.
Odell is credited with building a much stronger financial organization, which has enabled the BBB to retain high-quality staff and acquire the necessary technology to effectively assist businesses and consumers. In fact, during her tenure, the number of BBB Accredited Business grew from fewer than 2,000, to its current membership of 3,269.
Odell said, “It’s satisfying to think about how many people the BBB has helped throughout these years. It’s a testament to the BBB staff and our business community.”
Another measure of her success is the fact that when she assumed the role of CEO in 1999, there were 40,000 BBB Business Reviews read. By the end of 2012, approximately 800,000 reports will have been accessed during the year.
In 2004, Odell oversaw the merger with the Better Business Bureau of Pueblo, expanding the organization’s reach to include 25 counties in southern Colorado. She created the bureau’s innovative mediation program to help consumers and businesses resolve disputes and she was the co-creator of the A Night of Excellence with Your BBB award program.
Through her relationship with Adelphia (now Comcast) Odell also made it possible for the southern Colorado BBB to have its own monthly television program, which she has been co-hosting for more than seven years. She also negotiated air time for a weekly radio show called INSIGHTS now airing on dozens of radio stations throughout the region.
Randy Geving, chair of the BBB’s board of directors said “Carol has provided tremendous leadership and vision during her tenure as CEO. The organization has never been stronger. She has put together a wonderful team of professionals, which has placed the BBB of Southern Colorado among the top bureaus in the country. We are grateful to for all she has done for Colorado Springs!”
A search committee composed of the executive committee of the BBB’s board of directors has been formed and will begin the arduous task of hiring the organization’s next CEO.
