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Melissa Smart
The Silsbee Chamber of Commerce has a new director. Melissa Smart, a former lab technician and plant chemist in the petrochemical industry, assumed the role of director on July 18.
Smart is taking over for Sonja Kelley, who resigned in June after more than four years as executive director. Kelley now works as Constituent Affairs manager at the U.S. House of Representatives.
Smart, a former graduate of Silsbee High School, continued her education with the University of Phoenix. She received her Associate Degree in the Foundation of Business, certification in Project Management, a Bachelor in Business Management, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) in February.
Smart said she worked 13 years in the petrochemical industry, starting as a lab technician at South Hampton Resources in Silsbee in 2010. In 2021, Smart worked as a lab technician at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Beaumont until March 2023.
“At that time, I attainted the role as the plant chemist,” noted Smart. “That’s when I noticed the director job posted. I felt like this was my calling to doing something for my hometown and grow our community.”
Smart said that stepping into the director role was an exciting move for her career.
“After working for South Hampton for 11 years and then moving to a bigger corporation like Goodyear, it feels so amazing to step into a job that I will be able to make a difference and not just be an employee,” said Smart. “As the director, my goal is to get more people, business and the younger Silsbee residents involved with the community.
“I feel, if we can get the younger generation active, it will help build and keep our community growing and thriving for years to come. I would love to get the town of Silsbee back to how my parents and grandparents remember it.”
A public meet-and-greet for Smart is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Silsbee Chamber of Commerce Office, 220 North 4th St. in Silsbee. Light refreshments will be served.