Jackson chamber selects Williams as executive director

Marybeth Williams, a longtime volunteer and member of many clubs and organizations, will now actually be paid for her service to the Jackson community. Williams has been hired to be the next Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director.

Chamber president Dr. Ron Anderson announced the chamber's decision Tuesday.

Williams has long ties with the Jackson chamber and the community.

She's been a member of the chamber since 1979. During that time, she served three terms on the board of directors and was the chairwoman of two large fund-raising events, which helped purchase the chamber building.

She's been a member of the Jackson Tourism Committee since 1995 and a member of the Homecomers entertainment committee since 1999.

She was a member of the Jackson Public Library Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2003 and is the current secretary of the Jackson School Foundation.

"I think the main thing is she has a lot of experience in the chamber and served on many committees," Anderson said. "We had a lot of good candidates, and we're fortunate to have had such good people to interview."

Anderson said the chamber's hiring committee interviewed five people, but received many more applications.

Williams says she isn't planning any major changes.

"I just want to build on what's going on," she said. "Membership is a priority and it is with the board."

Williams is currently a manager at The Fantasticks, a store in Cape Girardeau where she has worked since 1994. She also has business experience with interior design at the Mid-America Hotels Corp. and owned and managed a floral shop in Jackson for 13 years.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University then earned a master's in vocational education administration at California State University in Sacramento.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635