March 14, 2008
Hebert Tapped To Head Blackstone Chamber
By Christina Davis
Jeannie Hebert, the current senior tourism and marketing director of the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitor's Bureau, has been named president and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, effective March 31.
Hebert will replace Joseph Deliso, head of Sutton-based turnaround firm Blackstone Management & Consulting, who has been the acting director of the chamber for more than a year. Deliso plans to remain on the chamber's board of directors after Hebert takes over.
Hebert said one of the main focuses of the chamber will be increasing membership from its current total of 450 to 600. She said the goal is realistic as long as the chamber is able to "tell the story of what's been going on."
Joseph Barbato Jr., chairman of the chamber's board and head of the Millbury Federal Credit Union, called Hebert a "homerun hire."
Hebert has been at her current post at the visitor's bureau since 2004. Prior to that, she had been a member of the board of directors since 1997. She's also well-known in the region for running Hebert Candies and the "Candy Mansion," as well as her efforts producing the annual Pet Rock fundraiser to benefit animal welfare.
Hebert said the visitor's bureau doesn't have a replacement for her yet.
Hebert's appointment marks a new chapter for the Blackstone Valley Chamber, which had suffered some difficult financial times after its major fundraiser -- the Celtic Festival -- was rained out in the summer of 2006. When Deliso was appointed to temporarily head the chamber, the organization had severe losses. Since that time, the chamber has returned to the black, he said.
Hebert will replace Joseph Deliso, head of Sutton-based turnaround firm Blackstone Management & Consulting, who has been the acting director of the chamber for more than a year. Deliso plans to remain on the chamber's board of directors after Hebert takes over.
Hebert said one of the main focuses of the chamber will be increasing membership from its current total of 450 to 600. She said the goal is realistic as long as the chamber is able to "tell the story of what's been going on."
Joseph Barbato Jr., chairman of the chamber's board and head of the Millbury Federal Credit Union, called Hebert a "homerun hire."
Hebert has been at her current post at the visitor's bureau since 2004. Prior to that, she had been a member of the board of directors since 1997. She's also well-known in the region for running Hebert Candies and the "Candy Mansion," as well as her efforts producing the annual Pet Rock fundraiser to benefit animal welfare.
Hebert said the visitor's bureau doesn't have a replacement for her yet.
Hebert's appointment marks a new chapter for the Blackstone Valley Chamber, which had suffered some difficult financial times after its major fundraiser -- the Celtic Festival -- was rained out in the summer of 2006. When Deliso was appointed to temporarily head the chamber, the organization had severe losses. Since that time, the chamber has returned to the black, he said.
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