As one president steps away, a new one steps forward to take charge of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce.
Ken Holland is replacing Jeremy Bekar, the chamber of commerce said in a Tuesday news release. The announcement confirms what Bekar said last week after he resigned. Bekar had been president of the chamber for the past 18 months, but decided to step down before his second term expired.
Holland takes over with four years experience with the chamber.
He was unanimously elected by the board of directors.
“[Holland] passionately believes in the role of the chamber as a bridge to the growth and development of businesses in our region and is dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the chamber’s ties with local government,” said a chamber news release.
Holland leads a board of directors “who are enthusiastic about the revitalized strategic vision of the chamber and its growing relationship with the business community.”
Bekar said his resignation this month was a “positive and it means they’re [board of directors] doing a great job,” and don’t need him around anymore.
Bekar was president in 2010, during the chamber’s 100th year, and stayed on this year to help out following the resignation of previous executive-director Dean Barbour.