By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of new director Jessie Thompson, is inspecting the special events roster to see what can be added or updated for the year 2020
Thompson took over the director’s role in January and says this has been a “year of proficiency” for the chamber.
“It’s been great, learning the position and it’s very rewarding working with the different businesses. I’m learning the position and looking to see what changes we can make for next year,” she said.
Previously she served as special events director and when former director Rebecca Cavanaugh decided to pursue other paths, she applied and was hired.
There are 105 members in the chamber including business owners in Ocean Grove, Neptune, Ocean Township, Asbury Park and other surrounding towns.
Chamber director is a full time position and Thompson says she works in the 81 Main Ave. office alongside the staff of Neptune Tourism.
The tourism commission has four part time staff members.
Board president is Peter Burbela, owner of Burbelmaiers and Laura Checky owner of From Heart to Hearth is vice president of the board.
Thompson, who now lives in Neptune, grew up in Jackson Township.
But she says her family was from Neptune and many of them have moved back to town.
She earned an associates degree in marketing from Brookdale Community College.
She previously worked in marketing and merchandizing, including 13 years for Nordstrom and also owned a music store in Belmar.
