New chamber leader ready to branch out

East County resident takes over leadership of West Columbia chamber office

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Mar 27, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

Alice Freuler

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook

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If the bare walls of her second-floor office are any indication, the executive director of the West Columbia Chamber of Commerce has hit the ground running in her new role.

Given her experience in marketing and event planning, perhaps it’s no surprise Alice Freuler has focused more on chamber business than sprucing up her workspace. The longtime East County resident’s enthusiasm for moving the area forward is palpable.

“I’m very interested in the economic vitality of East County,” she says. “I intend to be a hands-on executive director with our membership, or potential members and the business community.”

The chamber board chose Freuler, 58, to replace Diane McKeel, who served as executive director for 10 years before running successfully for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.

This is the first chamber of commerce role for Freuler, who served in management roles with the Oregon Dental Association for nearly 14 years and worked as an independent trade show coordinator. She says the interactive experience she’s gained over the years will serve her well at the chamber.

“I learn by listening,” she says. “I am experienced in working with groups with diverse opinions and needs. I will be out, engaging in conversation with business owners and community leaders anywhere I can.”

Freuler sees her role as helping the board realize its vision for enhancing the economic climate and tourism along the Interstate 84 and Historic Columbia River Highway corridors. Special events such as Troutdale SummerFest and Wheels and Wings are as important to the chamber’s goals as working with individual businesses and merchants, she notes.

The chamber covers territory from Fairview to Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge.

Freuler acknowledges it won’t be easy to keep up with the needs and concerns of such a wide territory.

“Keeping the interests of five different business communities in focus will be a challenge, but with the discussion comes better decisions,” she says.

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