ROCKLAND — The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Oct. 1 that Staci Coomer has been named executive director effective Oct. 10.

Coomer is a graduate of Iowa State University and holds the professional designation of certified fund raising executive. She is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the Mid Coast Leadership Academy.

Coomer first arrived in the Penobscot Bay region in 2005, assuming the position of vice president of development for Pen Bay Healthcare in Rockport. Before that, she worked for almost a decade in development for healthcare systems in the Midwest. In 2008, she moved to Michigan, where she consulted for businesses in development, marketing, and strategic planning eventually accepting a position as executive director of Hope Network.

A love of and desire to return permanently to the Penobscot Bay region kept she and her family from selling their Rockport home in 2008. When the opportunity presented itself, the family relocated back to the area this past summer.

"We could not be more pleased with the outcome of our executive search," said Chamber Vice President June Parent, in a press release. "Following our successful merger, Staci's expertise will be invaluable in furthering the chamber's new role in the region as well as developing a regional brand."