WEST BRANCH — The search is over for the new West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, as the chamber board approved the hiring of Christie Blackford on Feb. 5.

Blackford will start March 1.

“We had a lot of very qualified applicants,” said Chamber President Andrea Rose. “We were all impressed with the amount of talent and ability in our community.”

Blackford will fill the position that was vacated by former director Steve Leonard last November. Leonard served as director for 12 years, leaving to work in banking in Tawas.

Rose said the chamber board felt Blackford was the best candidate for the position.

“The board felt she was the best fit for the job,” she said. “She’s young and energetic. They felt she could bring some new and exciting ideas to the chamber.”

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