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New chamber director starts off with training

By CHUIN-WEI YAP
Published August 22, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce's new executive director began his tenure Monday with a full day of training workshops.

Jason Wilson, formerly a director of marketing and membership services in the Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce in New Mexico, succeeds Elayne Bassinger.

Wilson is the Wesley Chapel chamber's second executive director.

Chamber officials say he beat a hefty slate of competitors for the job.

"We had about 25 applications," said Devin Collins, a member of the chamber's board of directors who helped recruit Wilson.

"We had about five or six (finalists) to consider from."

Caught in a full day of training workshops, Wilson could not be reached Monday for comment.

Wilson formerly worked for the New Mexico Scorpions hockey team, with four years of experience in sales.

He was hired in February 2005 by the Rio Rancho chamber to help sign up members, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The Wesley Chapel chamber is holding a welcome reception for Wilson Aug. 28 at the Seven Oaks clubhouse in Wesley Chapel, where Wilson will meet other members of the board of directors, among others.

"From everything I've heard from the selection committee, he comes well qualified," said Henry Lin, a board director who has not yet met Wilson.

"It sounds like he's going to bring great energy to the chamber."

Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

[Last modified August 21, 2006, 22:46:15]