Effective Friday, Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Fitzpatrick is leaving his position. Fitzpatrick is leaving Excelsior Springs to take a position in Columbus, Kansas, to aid individuals with developmental disabilities. He has a Ph.D. in special education and is following a career that best suits his specialized skills in education, he explained. Fitzpatrick served 16 months as chamber leader, taking the position in April 2021. Despite setbacks in 2021 with the cancellation of Waterfest because of downtown flooding, Fitzpatrick moved the chamber forward with increases in membership, the implementation of a chamber philanthropy plan and the addition of a new shuttle bus to the chamber’s trolley fleet. The Board of Directors is searching for a replacement. Bill Westerheide, board chairman, has established a hiring committee and is hopeful for a speedy replacement, chamber information states. The full-time, salaried position requires skills in leadership,…