By ADAM ATKINSON

CANTON -- The Canton Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director to replace retiring director Sally Hill who has served at the helm of the organization for the last 20 years.

Allison Bauer started work Monday, Nov. 13. Bauer, a 2016 SUNY Potsdam graduate who majored in business administration, recently returned to the area from Nashville, Tenn., where she and her partner have worked and resided for the last year.

Although a Buffalo native, Bauer has family in Carthage, and her partner’s family resides in Potsdam where the couple now live also.

While she enjoyed her time in the south and living in urban areas, the new director said she likes the small town feel of the North Country, and its weather. “I actually missed the snow,” she said. “I am happiest here.”

“I knew when I saw the ad that this is the job I want,” Bauer said.

“I plan on being here for the long haul and I want to be a part of the community,” she said.

Bauer has experience helping to coordinate large events, perhaps one of the main rolls of the executive director at the chamber.

She previously worked for the Canton Best Western as the catering manager, and also for Aramark at Clarkson when she lived in Potsdam before.

In Nashville, the new chamber director worked for Elite Solutions in Nashville as a marketing manager.

“I’m thrilled. She’s so enthusiastic. She is ready to go,” said Hill of her replacement.

With the plans for the Canton Winterfest coalescing for the event scheduled in February, Bauer steps in to take over the reigns of the office during a busy time said Hill. “Especially on a part-time basis,” Hill said.

The outgoing director said, however, she was pleased with the chamber’s decision to hire Bauer and felt she was leaving the project in good hands. Hill’s last day is Dec. 22 and she will be showing Bauer the ropes until then.

“I’m happy to have (Sally) for the whole month,” said Bauer. “The first year is definitely going to be tricky for me.”

Bauer said she sees expanding the chamber’s online marketing efforts using social media as one change for the office in the future after she has settled into the new position. “Social media is free advertising for the most part,” Bauer said.

She would like to eventually add some new events in the future as well.

“I love it so far,” Bauer said of her new job. “I’m really thankfull (for Sally). She’s been here for 20 years. That’s invaluable experience. I’m excited to pick up where she leaves off. I’m anxious to get started.”

“(Bauer) is exactly what we are looking for,” said Hill.