SHAMOKIN - The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce did not have to look far for its new director.
She was just one floor below the chamber's office at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.
Beginning Monday, Lower Anthracite Region United Way Executive Director Whitney Fetterman will be the chamber's new director. The 25-year-old Coal Township resident says she is ready to hit the ground running.
"I'm very excited to get started," Fetterman said Friday. "I'm very honored the chamber officers thought I was a good fit for the position, and I plan on giving it my all to continue to help the organization grow."
Chamber President Pamela Burns said Fetterman was selected from a small pool of applicants and did well in her interview with Burns, chamber representative Steve Minker and Central Susquehanna Opportunities, (CSO) Inc. CEO Barry McLaughlin.
"Whitney is very energetic and we needed to find a key person that will promote our member businesses with a lot of passion," Burns said. "She is ready to make an impact in the community."
Fetterman, a daughter of Craig and Jean Fetterman, of Coal Township, is a 2006 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School and graduated in 2010 from Millersville University with a degree in speech communications, with an option in public relations. She previously worked for the Northumberland County Housing Authority and has been the executive director for the local chapter of the United Way since October 2011.
She succeeds Sandy Winhofer, of Kulpmont, who served as chamber director for six years, leaving the post in May to become a mortgage originator for UNB Bank, Mount Carmel.
'I'm ready'
Fetterman says she is still "very much employed" with the United Way organization and will have some duties with CSO as well. The chamber has a contract with CSO through which office space, overhead (including supplies, phone and Internet service) and administrative assistance are provided.
Burns sees Fetterman's youthful exuberance as an asset.
"Working with the United Way, she is very familiar with the business community, so she's not coming into the job blind," Burns said. "Being only 25, she can grow into the job and expand it, making the director's position her own."
"I've already gotten calls from various board members and businesses, offering their assistance," Fetterman said. "I'm ready."
Fetterman said she will use new techniques and find different ways of promoting the area and its businesses, and will plan some new events and fundraisers.
"The main goal is to attract new members, and retain the 240 members we have now," she said.