Duncan selected to lead Havelock chamber

The new executive director of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce says she is looking forward to helping city businesses make the most from the impending growth of the area.

Stephanie Duncan began her first day of work at the chamber on Monday. She replaces Reine Lewis, who resigned last month for personal reasons.

"I am really excited about the economic growth of Havelock, and I want to help the businesses see their fullest potential," Duncan said.

Duncan has a degree from Northern Arizona University and a masters in management from the University of Phoenix.

In her last job, she was a liability insurance broker and previously worked as a manager at Target stores for more than 18 years.

Duncan moved to the Havelock area six months ago with her husband, Terry Duncan, a former Marine who works as a facilities manager for Boeing.

"I'm really excited to work with the chamber and the board of directors," she said. "They are a great group of people. I want to build on Reine's ideas and we want to make sure the chamber has a bigger influence in the community."

She said one of the first items on her agenda is coordinating the Cultural Heritage and Business Expo planned for Sept. 17. She will also be working to organize the Chili Festival in October.

"I am looking forward to some really great events," she said. "And I'm really excited to see the construction going on around us."

In fact, right outside the doors of the Tourist and Event Center, a new development is underway, including Ham's Restaurant and a Holiday Inn Express.

"With the military growth, that's going to help as well," she said.

Though she's never had a job like this one before, she said she is confident in her abilities to do it well.

"At Target, I managed over 300 people," she said. "If I can get a bunch of high schoolers in line, I think I can handle this."