Sandra Thomas was named interim director of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce to keep things rolling.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce has chosen a familiar face to fill a leadership role.

 

The Chamber has named former Images Cinema director Sandra Thomas to serve as interim executive director while the group looks for a permanent replacement to Jennifer Civello, who announced her departure in November.

 

Thomas will serve for 90 days in the Chamber office starting this week, according to Williamstown Chamber President Jason Dohaney.

 

On Monday, Thomas agreed that the winter and early spring are particularly important times for the Chamber as it lays the ground work for the busy summer season.

 

"I think that's why the board wanted to keep things moving forward," Thomas said.

 

After more than a dozen years at Images, which she left last year, Thomas has a good feel for the Chamber's role in the business community.

 

"I've run a business on Spring Street, I've served on the board of the Chamber for a while and I have been involved with all of the Chamber events — from Holiday Walk to Summer Sundays," Thomas said. "I'm already working with [the website] Destination Williamstown, and I've been appointed to the [town's new] Economic Development Committee. It just made sense to take this on."

 

Thomas said she has not had a chance to meet with the current board to get its direction, but she suspects it will ask her to continue the work already begun by Civello.

 

"Jen did such a fabulous job in professional development and opportunities for membership and really getting the Chamber out there in the community," Thomas said. "The board wanted someone in an interim position to keep that momentum going forward."

 

Dohaney echoed that sentiment in an email announcing Thomas' appointment.

 

"Sandra has deep ties to our community and exceptional knowledge of the business environment and is someone we feel will be the perfect fit to carry on the good work of our outgoing director, Jennifer Civello," Dohaney wrote.

 

Thomas said the interim position is a good fit for her as she explores different professional opportunities after a long run at Images.

 

"I'm in an 'interim' phase in my work life right now," she said.