It's official: Greenville has a new executive director for its Chamber of Commerce. The executive board of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce announced this week Francine Wasden will take over the helm of the organization, effective April 23, 2007. She was chosen from a field of more than 20 candidates.

The incoming director said she is &#8220very excited” about the opportunities the position will bring to her.

&#8220 I am looking forward to working with a variety of people and programs in the city.

Greenville is on the grow and I want to do my best to keep that going. It is certainly going to be challenging, but I am ready to take it on,” Wasden said on Thursday.

Wasden and her husband, Ray, moved to Greenville last year when he accepted a position with Camellia Commuications. They are both Monroeville natives and have two grown children.

Judy Gettys, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, believes the board has chosen &#8220the right person for the job.”

&#8220We tried to go through this hiring process the right way. We were looking for experience, qualifications and an outgoing personality,” Gettys said.

&#8220We had a lot of good candidates, but Francine just had the right combination of everything we were looking for.”

Gettys said she has been amazed at how active and involved Wasden has already become in the community since moving here a year ago.

&#8220Francine has really gotten out there and met a lot of people in her time here. She's jumped right in to volunteering with Relay For Life here in Butler County. That was impressive to us,” Gettys said.

&#8220She is someone who just never meets a stranger.”

Wasden has a background in sales and marketing, including experience in advertising, including sales and writing scripts for radio ads, sales and oversight of billboard installations, designing layouts for outdoor advertising and managing property and leases for outdoor signs.

Gettys believes Wasden will make an excellent PR person for the community.

&#8220As the marketing representative for a health care group in Monroeville, Francine promoted the group by arranging local speaking opportunities, solicited sponsorships for Relay For Life and other charities, and coordinated the group's newspaper and radio advertisements,” Gettys said.

&#8220Francine is a great people person. She is always upbeat and has such a positive attitude. The executive board knows she will be a valuable asset to our growing community. We ask everyone for their support and cooperation as Francine assumes her new responsibilities.”

Annie Glenn Branum, who has served as interim director since Carol Lee's resignation last November, will continue in her original role as administrative assistant for the Chamber of Commerce.

&#8220I am so glad to have someone with Annie Glenn's knowledge and experience to work with me,” Wasden said.