Hollister
– Jessica French may be just starting out as the county chamber
of commerce’s new executive director, but she’s hardly a newcomer
to the area.
Hollister – Jessica French may be just starting out as the county chamber of commerce’s new executive director, but she’s hardly a newcomer to the area.
In fact, save for a brief sojourn to go to college in San Luis Obispo, the 25-year-old has lived in San Benito County all her life, and her family’s roots go back five generations. French said it’s her deep ties to the region that made her apply for the job.
“Being the fifth generation in this county, I really want to help businesses succeed,” she said.
According to Mark Vivian of Edward Jones Investments, who is serving as this year’s chamber president, former Executive Director Liz Sparling went on maternity leave earlier this year. Sparling eventually decided that she wanted to continue to stay home and raise her baby, Vivian said.
He added that French’s enthusiasm and history are what made her a great candidate for the job.
“Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge with her,” he said.
French’s involvement in the community didn’t hurt either – she’s a former chamber secretary, a member of the Leadership San Benito Class of 2007 and the vice president of the San Benito Cattlewomen. French has also worked for local accounting firm Grace and Associates and for the Free Lance’s advertising department.
French said her job will entail putting the plans created by the chamber’s board of directors into action – and that means doing everything she can to help local businesses.
‘It’s all about doing things to help our members and keeping that economic engine going,” Vivian said.
Luckily, French said she’s taking the role as the future starts looking rosier for local businesses, with the opening of the Highway 25 bypass and the end of the city’s sewer moratorium both set for 2008.
“It’s a really exciting time, because of all the things happening in the county,” she said.
