The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has announced Michele Holbrook as the new board chair, along with leadership and new members for 2021, according to a news release.

Holbrook, the global supply chain project manager at Corning Inc., joined the Wilmington chamber board in 2015. She said in the release Thursday that she was honored to serve as the board of directors chair. 

Holbrook previously served as the Wilmington plant manager at Corning's local optical fiber facility. 

Tee Nunnelee, chairman of Coastal Beverage Co., now serves as the board's immediate past chair.

"Michele's leadership will continue to contribute to the successes of the Wilmington Chamber. Michele’s experience in the management of a major manufacturing facility will lend sound development of efficient and effective ways to live into the vision to promote prosperity by encouraging business growth," Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said in the release. "Our new board members bring distinct business experiences that will round out our leadership and help us achieve our goal of growing New Hanover County's economy and making the area more prosperous for everyone."

Lisa Leath (right), president of Leath HR Group and co-founder of WorkTok, was named treasurer of the board, officials said.

Before starting her own businesses, Leath was vice president of Human Resources for Alcami Corp., and before that, she held several HR leadership positions across the state with Corning, stated the release.

The new members of the board are: Robert Arnold, human resources and safety manager at National Gypsum; Katie Smith, vice president of finance and operations at nCino; and Andrea Troccia, market development manager at Corning Credit Union.
 
The new members of the board of directors will begin their one-year terms Jan. 1.

"The next year will have its challenges, but we are also poised for great opportunities. Workforce development, infrastructure, our region's general business climate, and entrepreneurship will continue to be our focus with a new county commission and other statewide elected officials," Holbrook said.