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There’s a new face at the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce. Monica King took over as the new executive director of the Chamber last week and is eager to get to know the community.

King and her family have been gone from the Demopolis area for 24 years and she said what attracted them back was “a mix of everything.”

“To me, Demopolis has so many hidden gems,” King said. “One thing I noticed when I came back was the sense of community and the support that they have for the schools, for the local businesses, and even just families in need. You don’t get that everywhere else.”

King brings a unique set of skills to the Chamber director position as she has worked several different jobs over the years. She has experience in the school system, and she has worked with insurance and in the medical field. King also worked with the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries for six years.

“I feel like that service is what I want to bring most to Demopolis,” King said. “The area business community here is strong, but I feel like we are here to serve them and that’s what I want to build on.”

King said toward that goal she plans to cultivate networking and expand business promotions.

“So often we get caught behind the computers and text messages, but I want face-to-face communication,” King said. “I want to not just offer things for new businesses, but I want to be able to offer and expand the things for our current members and find different ways of networking and promoting them.”

King said what made her want to take on the challenge of Chamber Director was the opportunity to use her creativity and enthusiasm for the community.

“I am extremely energetic,” King said. “I have a lot of energy, and I just wanted to be able to use my creativity and my enthusiasm for Demopolis and help grow this area. I want to take the Chamber and local businesses to another level by offering new opportunities, but keeping that emphasis on the commitment of service.”

While she has some new ideas for the Chamber and its members, King said she will continue doing the signature events the Chamber is known for organizing such as Freedom on the River and Christmas on the River. She also intends to continue the popular Business of the Month drawings.

Some new things that she has already implemented are Tuesday Chamber Chats and Weekend Whereabouts. Tuesday Chamber Chats will have the Chamber contacting different members each week to promote their business. Weekend Whereabouts will post every Thursday on Facebook and will promote weekend events, sales, or specials members.

“We are revamping our social media connection. We will no longer just be sharing business promotions, we will be making original content to share for and promote local businesses,” said King.

King said she is excited to begin as the new director and is looking forward to listening and building relationships.

“I’m looking forward to serving our community and business area. I want to grow and enhance what is already so successful here in Demopolis,” said King.

King is a south Alabama native and has been married to her husband Jody for over 30 years. She has a son and a daughter, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.