PEABODY — Deanne Healey will be stepping into the role of executive director of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce next week — her second time at the post.
Following the resignation of former Executive Director Beth Amico, who departed the organization on July 7, Healey accepted the role of interim executive director while PACC finds a permanent replacement. Healey previously served as executive director of PACC until 2017, when she left for a position at Salem Five.
PACC Chairman Matt Genzale said he was “very excited” to be working with Healey again.
“Deanne and I had a very productive meeting to discuss details of this role, including how to keep the Chamber moving forward, including successfully running upcoming events, while working closely with the executive and full boards to refine the Chamber’s mission and messaging as we search for a new executive director,” he said in a statement.
At a meeting at the chamber’s office Thursday, Healey said she was able to remain a part of the city’s business community following her departure from the chamber of commerce.
“Since I left four and half years ago, I’ve stayed involved with the chamber and the business community so I never really lost connection with them.”
Healey said that coming back was easy.
“It just kind of fits in nicely,” she said. “I know the chamber, I know what they’re facing … As a community organization, you wanna make sure it doesn’t hit too many bumps in the road, and things can continue to go on.”
“I always loved being a part of the chamber. It’s such a great community, getting to know different businesses has always been something I’ve been passionate about, trying to help them be successful in their own way,” she continued.
Amico expressed her gratitude for Healey’s return, saying that both her and the Peabody community are confident that “the chamber is in good hands” with Healey back in charge for a while.
Healey said that she felt that coming back to the chamber allowed her to rethink the chamber’s goals.
“Anytime there’s a big change, It’s an opportunity to just take a step back and figure out, are we doing the right things, are there things that could be done differently — work smarter not harder.”
“Right in the back of my mind right now is taking a step back, looking at what we did for [businesses] last year, and how do we break that down and bring it to the masses so that everyone can benefit from it,” she continued.
Emma Fringuelli can be reached at [email protected].
