Almost six months after the death of Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Marybeth Williams, Brian Gerau has been named the new leader of the organization.

The announcement was made at the American Women Business Association annual auction Saturday. Gerau will start Nov. 1.

The hiring of Gerau, 35, comes after Williams died from pneumonia April 27. Executive assistant Cheryl Merkler had assumed Williams' day-to-day roles since the sudden death.

While he is excited about the job, Gerau called the hiring bittersweet because of his previous friendship with Williams.

"I didn't like the horrible circumstances that allowed this position to open up, but it was something that I couldn't pass up," he said. "I wanted to keep her memory alive and can do it in spirit by serving as the executive director."

In his first 45 days on the job, Gerau hopes to meet with business leaders to better understand their needs. He hopes not only to strengthen the relationships with current chamber members but recruit other businesses from both Jackson and Cape Girardeau to join the organization. The current membership is 400.

"I'll listen to the needs of our businesses and the citizens and do everything I can to help them, whether it be with information about schools, employment opportunities or details about my role as executive director," Gerau said. "I want the chamber to be the first organization people call when they have a need arise."

Gerau brings 11 years of sales, marketing and fundraising experience to the position.

A native of Columbia, Mo., Gerau graduated from the University of Missouri in 1997 with a bachelor of science degree in history. While in Columbia, he worked as an administrator at Boone County Bank, program director with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and real estate lender with Gateway Mortgage Group.

In 2004 Gerau accepted the position of director of Sylvan Learning Center in Cape Girardeau and moved to Jackson with his wife Sara and the couple's two children, Jackson and Brooke. Gerau is currently a territory sales manager with the Altria Group.

His past involvement with the Jackson Chamber has included a member of the education committee and volunteer at numerous events.

Gerau is the husband of Southeast Missourian advertising executive Sara Gerau.

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr said she is excited about what the hire means to the city and business community.

"He will be fantastic, personable and a go-getter," Lohr said. "I had a close working relationship with Marybeth and am looking forward to the same with Brian."

Chamber president Marvin Wormington Sr. said the selection committee of five narrowed the applicants from 15 to seven based on business experience and education. From that pool of applicants the committee chose three finalists.

"We believed his experience at Sylvan would help in building membership for the chamber," Wormington said. "In his job he visited clients on a regular basis, and we believed we needed someone who could meet face-to-face with our businesses here in Jackson. The sky's the limit with what he brings to the table."

Search committee chairman Geoff Parker believes Gerau's personality will take the chamber to the next level.

"The combination of his work in the private and public sector made him the ideal candidate out of the applicants we had to choose from," Parker said. "While we will all miss Marybeth Williams, we are thrilled to have him on board to lead us to we what believe will be a successful future."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628