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PORT NECHES — Growing the chamber and growing RiverFest are goals of the two new leaders of the local organizations.

The fresh faces include Ashley Ramirez, the new director of the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce and Lauren Rahe, the new director of Port Neches RiverFest.

The women are stepping into the roles left open with the departure of the former chamber director Crystal Jordan.

Jordan’s predecessor Debbie Plaia held the chamber and RiverFest position for about 20 years. Plaia stayed partially involved with the festival until recently.

Ramirez and Rahe are excited to jump into their new roles.

Ramirez knows the importance of a chamber of commerce and the role it plays in the community. She spent 10 years as a high school teacher and the past six years in the mortgage business.

Through the years she was heavily involved with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and served as an ambassador taking care of business planning and membership.

Ramirez said she is a big cheerleader for the City of Port Neches. She calls the community tight-knit and spirited.

She shared her vision for the future of the Chamber.

“My vision is growing the Chamber and bringing in as much business as possible,” Ramirez said. “I want to help grow our local businesses and help small business owners. I was a small business owner and recognized what the Chamber could do.”

Ramirez said she is ready to get out in the community and see what the needs of the businesses are.

Rahe comes to the job of RiverFest director with 21 years of experience with nonprofits behind her.

Rahe is familiar with RiverFest and understands the importance of the festival and what it gives the community.

“I would like to see the tradition continue and to see us grow,” Rahe said.

Like Ramirez, Rahe has seen the pride Port Neches residents have for the community.

Chamber Board President Lance Bradley, who is also a RiverFest Committee leader, said they had some great applicants for the positions.

“This was not an easy decision but at the end of the day we felt we made the two best choices for their respective positions,” Bradley said.

Ramirez and Rahe came on board officially July 11.

When looking for new leadership for the organizations committee members mulled whether they should hire one person for the role if the right person came along. During interviews they came to see Ramirez was the right fit for the Chamber side and Rahe for the RiverFest side, he said.

The two jobs overlap in some ways and this was not a complete division of labor.

“Each one brings unique qualities to the positions,” he said.

Bradley said Rahe’s years of experience with Ubi Caritas Health Ministry is a plus for her position. She has knowledge of fundraising and nonprofit organizations.

Ramirez also has fundraising experience as well as experience with Chamber events.

“I believe she will find creative ways to increase members’ benefits through the Chamber,” he said.

The public will have a chance to visit with Ramirez and Rahe during a Meet and Greet Social set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 25 at Avenue Axe., 1126 Port Neches Ave., Port Neches.