Stephanie Petkers, a former Freeport business owner who has an extensive background in marketing, is the new executive director of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce.

Petkers, a Freeport resident who has been serving as board vice president for the destination marketing organization FreeportUSA, succeeds Sande Updegraph in the chamber position. Updegraph announced in April that she was leaving following two years on the job. She introduced Petkers to the Freeport Town Council on July 7.

Petkers becomes the fifth Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce executive director since the organization’s inception in January 2010. She began her new job Tuesday at the chamber office, located on the second floor of the Freeport Community Center. Updegraph will stay on for a bit to assist Petkers, and July 24 will be her final day.

Petkers, 46, has lived in Freeport for 15 years with her husband, Jon, and son, Jonathan, 20. Her husband is a physical therapist at Parkview Hospital in Brunswick.

Petkers said she will resign her position with FreeportUSA.

Stephanie Petkers took the position of executive director at the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Courtesy photo