Chamber Seeking New Executive Director Amidst Changes

Expect to see a more active this year, as the organization looks to innovate its approach to fostering business in town.

According to Chamber Chairman Toby Aaron, the chamber has re-crafted its vision for the future to focus more on economic development and collaboration with the Town of North Kingstown, Quonset Business Park and Wickford Junction () to attract more business to the area.

“The chamber wants to take a more active role in the whole community,” said Aaron. “The chamber needs to think bigger. It needs to do bigger and broader things and bring more awareness to North Kingstown.”

Part of that restructuring will be replacing the former chamber executive director, Karla Driscoll, who left the position last week. The chamber plans to post the job opening this week, seeking a new director with a background in marketing and economic development.

The chamber’s events will be getting a facelift as an “events” committee has been tasked with reviewing the organizations events and determining their viability.

“At the end of the day we will have events that make sense from a standpoint of what their contribution is,” said Aaron. “We’re spending time on events that aren’t really doing a lot.”

The chamber’s board of directors will flesh out the details of its new strategic plan and economic development initiative at its annual meeting on April 11 at the Wickford Junction Train Station.

“I think the chamber will move forward at a faster pace in the next eight to 12 months than it has in a long time,” said Aaron.