Torres tabbed as new Chamber executive director

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NEW POSITION — Jane Torres has been named the new executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. She begins her new position on April 4.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — After six months of searching, the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.
    Jane Torres was named Friday as the Chamber’s new leader by President Ben Adams. Torres replaces Lori Weston, who departed from the Chamber in September, 2011 to take a similar post as the economic and community development director for the town of Houlton. She had served as the Chamber’s executive director for five years.
    “It has been a long and challenging search for the executive board of directors for a new executive director for the Chamber of Commerce,” Adams said. “We really took our time going through all the applicants, searching for just the right person. We didn’t want to just put anyone in there. We were truly searching for just the right fit.”
    “I am so pleased that the Chamber Board of Directors stayed the course with our search for the appropriate person for this position,” added Kent Good, outgoing Chamber president. “I believe Jane will bring a whole new level of dedication, hard work, and excitement to our organization. Congratulations to Jane and the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.”
    For the past 14 years, Torres has been employed at Aroostook Milling. Her first official day at the Chamber is not until April 4, but she has already spent many hours in the evening getting her new office organized.
    “I’ve been looking for a change,” Torres said. “I saw this position come up and I saw Lori (Weston) work so hard at this job, but I thought with her help, I could probably do this. I think this is a good fit for me. I really believe in Houlton and I think I know most everyone in town.”
    For many years, Torres has served as a member of the Chamber’s board of directors, but now has to wear a different hat when talking with her former peers. She added she was looking forward to getting out and talking with the local businesses to get a better feel for what it is they would like to see in Houlton.
    “We need to get businesses to try to work together,” she said. “What is it that they want to see from me? And what can I do for them? That sort of thing.”
    Torres said her strength is organizational skills, which should play a major role in her new position.
    “I’m a big fan of all the events Lori (Weston) did in the past, but I am also looking for some new events to try,” she said.
    Having Weston relatively close by at the town office is a big plus, Torres added.
    “This will be incredibly wonderful situation for all of us,” Weston said. “Jane already has a wealth of experience from all of her years on the Chamber board. She is already known for being a workhorse. She has always been one of the premiere volunteers.
    Drew said the board narrowed its search to a few applicants and then conducted interviews with each of the individuals.
    “We were very impressed with the candidates we choose to interview which made the decision much more difficult,” he said. “We really had some great candidates. However, Jane really stood out to us. She knows the community. She is dedicated to  our town and has a genuine interest in our community and all of its members and businesses. Jane is already familiar with the inner workings of the Chamber. She is a very dedicated and hard worker. We couldn’t be more excited to have her on board, she will do an amazing job for all of us.”
    Torres and her husband Paul have three grown children. They have lived in Houlton for the past 18 years.