It didn’t take long for the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce to fill its vacant executive director position.
A little over a month after the group surprised many folks by giving former Director Amy Alder the boot, the chamber hired Holly R. Bills, of Lapeer, on Friday.
‘I think Oxford had a great chamber on its own and I would just like to continue to do the work that was started there and to make improvements where needed,? said Bills, who has several years experience in customer service and marketing.
‘We were delighted that she accepted the offer and are excited to welcome her to the team as of July 21,? said Susan Dittrich, the chamber board member who chaired the personnel and search committees.
Bills has been a chamber member for two years. She joined while working as a marketing representative for SERVPRO, a fire and water restoration company based in Lapeer.
‘Oxford was my territory,? she said. ‘Once I got involved (in the chamber), I really liked everybody and got to know them real well. They asked me to become an ambassador.?
Ambassadors are chamber members who volunteer to welcome new businesses to the area and explain the many benefits of chamber membership.
It was Bills? volunteer work with the chamber and familiarity with Oxford and its people that gave her a definite edge in the search for a new executive director.
‘Holly brought her current involvement with the chamber, intimate knowledge of the area, established relationships with the local businesses and excellent computer and office skills to the table, and eventually this combination of assets weighed in her favor,? said Dittrich, who works as vice president of administration for Crossroads for Youth.
Having moved to Metamora in the third grade and graduated from Lapeer East High School in 1991, Bills is definitely no stranger to the area.
Her experience in the private sector is complemented and enhanced by her firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of local government.
She spent six years working for the Metamora Township government, first as a secretary, then as deputy clerk.
‘To this day, I can look around Metamora and see so many things that I got to help make happen and that’s very exciting for me,? Bills said.
Much like her job with Metamora, Bills sees her new position with the Oxford chamber as a chance to do some good for the community.
‘It’s not enough to do a job, it’s more about making a difference,? she said.
In addition to Bills? professional background, chamber President Lynette Johnson said they were impressed with her ‘personality,? her ‘enthusiasm,? and her ‘willingness to make the chamber succeed.?
‘We had quite a few applicants and she was one of the top ones,? she said. ‘I think she has a lot to give the chamber and the businesses.?
When she’s not working, Bills enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian. The couple will celebrate their one-year anniversary in August.
Between them they have five children.
Bills also enjoys boating, reading and dining out.