Fan of Beverly becomes chamber director

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Ilia Stacy is the Beverly Chamber of Commerce's new executive director. Deborah Parker

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July 26, 2010

By Paul Leighton Staff writer The Salem News Mon Jul 26, 2010, 12:04 AM EDT

BEVERLY — As a 20-year resident of Ipswich, Ilia Stacy has always admired a certain larger community to the south.

"I'm more of a small-town person, and for me, living in Ipswich, Beverly was the hub where I went for big things like health care and education and all the fun shops and restaurants," she said. "I love Beverly."

Stacy is no longer just an impressed visitor. Last week, she began her new job as executive director of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Sheila Field, who resigned to move out of state.

Stacy, 60, has worked for 17 years as a manager of nonprofit organizations, most recently for nine years as executive director of My Brother's Table, a food pantry in Lynn.

She also has experience in marketing, fundraising and grant writing.

"She's just a great business person, and I think she understands the challenges that small businesses face," said Jonathan Arst, president of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

"That's what the Beverly chamber is all about, helping the businesses that are our members and advocating for them. She's not afraid to go to the mayor or the police chief or anyone else at the city level."

The Beverly chamber has about 400 member businesses. The organization, whose office is on lower Cabot Street near the Beverly-Salem bridge, sponsors business and networking programs, advocates for businesses on the state and local level, and refers customers and visitors to its members' businesses.

Stacy has been on the job for only a few days but has already fielded interesting inquiries. A couple from Beverley, England, stopped by the office seeking information on their hometown's namesake. A woman from Ohio called for a map of Beverly because her son is working at North Shore Music Theatre.

Stacy said she's noticed a "very welcoming" climate for businesses in Beverly.

"It seems like it's receptive to growth and to interesting opportunities, and that doesn't always feel like the case (in other communities)," she said. "There seem to be new businesses starting in Beverly all the time. Somebody in Beverly Farms is starting new boutique. People seem to be excited about the future in Beverly."

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.

Job: Beverly Chamber of Commerce executive director

Age: 60

Residence: Ipswich

Family: Husband, Peter Edson; stepson, Jamie Edson; dogs Jade and Kodi

Education: Bachelor's degree from Granite State College; master's degree from University of Vermont

Hobbies: Cooking, herbal remedies, garment upcycling ("You take old clothes and make them into something new. I've done it all my life and now it has a name.")

Favorite spot in Beverly: "Right now, I'm loving having an office where I can see the water. My previous office didn't have any windows."

Most famous person you've met: Whoopi Goldberg. "She used to tend bar in Gloucester. She passed me a glass of wine."

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