The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce has a new Executive Director.

Crystal Young will take over the position from Deb Nyczai.

She talks about what enticed her about the opportunity when the Chamber posted it.

"That individual played a huge role in showing that Humboldt and the district remain to be the place to live, work and invest. If I am living here why not be a part of that? Why not be a part of the team that makes a difference."

Young comes highly qualified for the position of leading the business community's charge and being the voice in the east-central region. She is a strong advocate for economic and social development as well as health and safety. She is a certified paramedic and also possesses a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Economics.

"This is a region that services an area of 35,000-40,000," she continued. "We want to ensure that those individuals in this region do not have to go far to meet their needs. If you are driving past what you need we are not doing something right."

The board made the announcement over the weekend. Member Dan Torwalt says she is exactly what they were looking for.

"Just her dynamic personality when she first came in for her interview. When we did interview her she blew us away, it was unanimous for sure that we wanted her off the start. She cares about Humboldt, she's very knowledgeable about Humboldt already."

Young and her family have called Humboldt home since last spring.

"We want to be recession proof," Young said of what she wants for the area. "Whereas we're diversifying our economy, whereas we are showing businesses are able to, if they are having slow periods we're helping them establish ways to ensure they aren't missing markets they can tap into."

Young is already at work at the downtown Humboldt office on the 600 block of 9th Street.

The Chamber will host an after business come and go event on Tuesday, October 11th where anyone interest can attend and meet Young as well as network with other attendees.

More details will be provided early next week.

You can hear more from both Young and Torwalt below in their interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork.