The Centralia Chamber of Commerce is welcoming two new employees.
Director Marcus Holland said the new staff members and their individual talents will further benefit the chamber of commerce’s mission to effectively serve its membership.
Matt Packman was appointed in December to the role of assistant director, filling a vacancy left by former assistant director Malaya Downey. Jamie Resch was hired in September as marketing coordinator.
Packman comes to the chamber following a career in journalism. A 2005 graduate of Centralia High School, with an associate degree from Kaskaskia College and bachelor’s in fine art from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Packman brings over a decade of community experience and public relations to the position.
Packman says, “In my role as Assistant Director, I’m going to be handling a lot of the communications here at the office and I’m also going to be going out into the public and meeting with our members, speaking with them about their businesses, building those relationships, and trying to assess their needs and see how we, as a Chamber, can better benefit and serve them.”
Packman says he will be looking at situations from a different vantage point than in the past.
Packman says, “As a reporter, I was kind of behind the scenes, observing from the side, and kind of seeing how all of these things worked from an outside point-of-view. Now I’ve decided to step into the forefront and contribute alongside a lot of the people I used to report on. It’s a very interesting, very exciting opportunity.”
Resch is the owner and operator of Studio Bee, a 2014 graduate of Centralia High School, and received an associate degree from Kaskaskia College before taking additional studies at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Resch previously served on the Balloon Fest, Image, and Downtown Christmas Stroll committees.
Resch says as a current business owner in Centralia, she can relate to the business needs of the Chamber members. Resch wants to help local businesses and be a part of the economic development of the community.
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 100 years in 2024. The chamber promotes continued economic growth for the community and surrounding area. It provides programs and services to over 350 businesses and organizations within its membership.
