This week Laurie Huck assumed her new role as executive director of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce.
She replaces former Executive Director April Lovelace, who resigned earlier this year.
Huck was born and raised in Seattle Washington, but discovered the charms of Picayune when she moved here about nine years ago.
Prior to moving to Picayune, she worked in Seattle performing business development tasks and marketing for public and private corporations.
During that time, Huck also met her husband, Picayune native John. They have two children who attend Pearl River Central Elementary.
Upon her arrival in Picayune, Huck immediately volunteered with community organizations such as Team Picayune, Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and Junior Auxiliary.
She also started her own freelance marketing business, where she developed marketing plans for her virtual and local clients, which includes proposals aimed at growing their business, assessing the competition and researching demographic targets and assessing a business’ strengths and weaknesses, Huck said.
Huck, who was recommended for her new position, said she was excited when the opportunity presented itself.
“We have some great people here and they are our greatest assets,” Huck said. “This is home for me now and I love the people, they are special to me.”
Huck said she is most excited about bringing out the best strengths in people through community relations and economic development, while working with members of the community.
“I’m learning what each person and business can offer and I want the chamber to become the premier source for businesses and I plan to do that by being out in the community and literally working hand-in-hand,” Huck said. “In the past, the chamber has been active, but we need to work with city, county and state organizations as a team to promote the best things in our community.”
Huck plans to build a working relationship with the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors and also the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce.
“We have a lot of good local organizations who are working hard to promote our city and county,” she said. “By working together, we can be more effective in attracting businesses and people.”
She also wants to increase the value of being a chamber member.
“I want them to understand more clearly what it means to be a member,” Huck said. “I want them to know we are connecting them to resources and key contacts to ensure their business will grow. I want them to say, ‘the chamber is vital to my growth and business.”’
The Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 200 Hwy. 11 N. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact staff at 601-798-3122.
Learn more about the chamber at www.picayunechamber.org and through Facebook at Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce.