SAN BENITO — The San Benito Chamber of Commerce has come a long way.
It went from being a defunct and nameless entity to a full-running chamber, complete with a board and now newly appointed executive director, a position that was recently created.
The working entity now has almost 100 members.
Yesterday, the spotlight was on the chamber’s new executive director, Sandee Alvarez, who participated in the chamber’s weekly “Morning Coffee” session.
Rather than talking at guests, Alvarez proposed to have a conversation instead.
Alvarez previously worked for the city for 13 years as Community Grants and Programs director and Housing Program Specialist before that.
Now, she looks forward to working with the chamber and conquering the challenges the chamber faces as a relatively new entity.
“It’s obviously going to be difficult to take on but I am looking forward to it. We all have hopes and I really believe that it is going to grow,” she said.
“We all have the same dream and the same hope that San Benito will prosper.”
Part of Alvarez’s job is making sure that’s exactly what happens, especially the prosperity of the business community.
“Just knowing that the businesses here have somewhat of a distaste for the earlier chamber, there is a lot of skepticism of what we’re doing and how,” said Chamber Board President Lionel Betancourt.
“It’s going to take some real pavement to get everybody back on board. We have had to overcome a few things.”
With Sandee coming on board, Betancourt said businesses have already inquired about how they can join the chamber.
Just the mere fact that we made this change and it was a good change with a very positive person has sparked additional interest in the community, he said.
What she wants to do is get the business community excited about becoming participating members of the chamber.
As the new director, she plans to cultivate better working relationships between businesses and the city.
As a former city employee, she said that will work in her favor.
“I’ve worked for the city and I know where to point people if they need help,” she said.
“I believe my experience with the city and being familiar with the system will help.”
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