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Date: 3/29/2023
WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new executive director following the resignation of Eric Oulette, who has led the organization for 18 months.
Oulette is leaving the Chamber to become senior director of development for the Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts, which is also based in Westfield. His resignation is effective March 31, and he begins his new role on April 3.
Oulette is no stranger to the Scouts, having worked for the organization as director of development in New Hampshire before joining the Westfield Chamber in 2021.
“Coming to the Chamber and getting some other nonprofit experience was good for me — being able to work with businesses both networking and doing legislative advocacy. Joining the Chamber almost two years ago seemed to be a nice transitional fit for me at the time,” said Oulette.
Dino Gravanis is president of the Chamber’s executive board, and he has high praise for Oulette.
“Eric is an outgoing, charismatic individual,” said Gravanis. “We’re excited for him and this new chapter of his life. As a board, we’re sad to see him go, but our members have complete faith in us and we’re in a good position to move forward.”
Oulette took charge of the Chamber just as the nation was emerging from the business closures and public gathering bans of the coronavirus pandemic. Members who were used to meeting on video conference calls had to be convinced getting together in person was safe again. Oulette says reassuring them was his first order of business, and gathering all 225 members in one room was his greatest accomplishment.
“People had been sheltering in their offices and we needed to get them to come out and realize while you can do business from behind the scenes, it’s better to get in front of people. They needed that extra incentive to get out of the house and office and begin to network again,” says Oulette.
Oulette says he’s enjoyed lobbying legislators on behalf of local businesses, giving them a voice on Beacon Hill, where lawmakers and other government officials decide who receives coveted business development grants.
“Having that voice at the state level is so important, getting in front of legislators, the governor, secretary of commerce, and others. This job is about helping grow the economy in Greater Westfield. That was one of the best parts of the job, helping local businesses thrive and grow,” says Oulette.
While the job has been satisfying, Oulette says parts were a struggle.
“Trying to get some of the smaller businesses that have come into town to realize the benefits of the Chamber has been a challenge, and the next person that comes in will have to focus on that. Growing membership is key to our future,” he said.
Back in college, Oulette never thought he’d end up working in the nonprofit sector, but that is where he has found his niche, and greatest rewards.
“I knew coming out of college that working for a nonprofit, I wasn’t going to make the big bucks right away. Nonprofits are here to change people’s lives in positive ways. I knew going into this I wanted to make a difference in the world,” said Oulette.
Board members are handling the Chamber’s day-to-day business while they search for a new executive director. Gravanis says interviews have begun with four finalists, but the board will consider late arrivals to the application process.
“We’re not in a rush to hire just anyone,” said Gravanis. “We want someone who will help us continue to grow. We’re looking for an inspirational leader, someone proactive who will grow membership and advocate for our businesses before state and local legislators.”
For more information about applying for the Chamber’s executive director position, contact Dino Gravanis by texting or calling him at 413-568-1618. His email is dgravanis@unos.com.