AMHERST – A veteran of “destination marketing” will become the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director next month.
The chamber’s board of directors Wednesday announced that Timothy O’Brien, 58, will succeed Donald Courtemanche, who left the position in April after two years.
O’Brien starts Aug. 1. He formerly worked in marketing for Yankee Candle and Kringle Candle, as well as in the Springfield area.
“We thought Tim brought the skills to the position we need at the moment,” said Julie Marcus, president of the board of directors. “We think he will be the perfect fit.”
As executive director, O’Brien will be responsible for representing the chamber’s diverse business interests in the community, directing the chamber’s growth and maintaining its financial stability.
The chamber, which represents more than 400 business, organizations and institutions, has a mission to create, maintain and promote a thriving business climate throughout the Amherst area.
Marcus said the chamber board received 21 applications from the area and nation.
O’Brien, who lives in Hatfield, said in a telephone interview Wednesday that he is looking forward to getting to work.
“What interested me the most about this position was to get back into ‘destination marketing,’” O’Brien said. “It excites me to promote an area.”
O’Brien has been involved in that sort of marketing in western Massachusetts since 1987, including serving as communications director for the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and holding marketing and communications positions with the two candle companies.
He has also provided marketing services for Michael Kittredge, the founder of Yankee Candle, and to his family, charity and business interests.
O’Brien earned a bachelor of science degree in resource economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Top priorities will be meeting chamber members and learning what’s important to them, providing advocacy for their issues and overseeing the day-to-day operations and expanding membership, O’Brien said.
Since Courtemanche’s departure, Jerry Guidera has served as interim director. At the time he was appointed to the temporary post he told the chamber board he had no interest in the permanent job. O’Brien and Guidera are expected to work together for about a month.
Marcus said she is grateful for Guidera’s service and his “competent, cheerful and flexible” approach.
Along with Kim Alli, director of marketing and membership, Guidera led the chamber through what Marcus said was its most successful Taste of Amherst food festival. She also expressed confidence in the success of Monday’s golf tournament, to be held at Hickory Ridge Country Club, with proceeds benefiting the business education program at Amherst Regional High School.
Marcus said O’Brien will have a series of tasks as he begins his job. “As president, I’m looking forward to moving forward,” Marcus added.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
