WEXFORD — THE CHAMBER of Commerce has named its new executive director to replace Susan Balla when she leaves Feb. 15. Rebecca Martin is the new director, coming from Austin, Texas, where she was senior vice president of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for nearly the past three years, according to a LinkedIn account in her name. In her post, she was part of the executive team in Central Texas for economic development, regional infrastructure, technology, education and workforce development, and member recruitment and retention. Before that, Martin was the president and CEO of the Ludington & Scottville (Mich.) Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2007 to 2008 and vice president, chamber division of the Erie (Pa.) Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership from 1997 to 2003. She has previously worked at the director of marketing, communications and government relations for Erie-Western PA Port Authority, served as an administrative officer in the Erie County (Pa.) County Executive’s office, a teacher for the Mercyhurst Preparatory School and public relations officer at Gannon University. She was on the Erie (Pa.) City School Board for four years, where she served as both president and vice president during her tenure from 2003 to 2007. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Mercyhurst College in Northeast, Pa., and a master’s degree in English from Gannon University in Erie. She will begin her new post on Feb. 1. Martin is a native of Pennsylvania with family in the Pittsburgh area.
