BIDDEFORD — A former vice-president of marketing at a seafood company is slated to be the next executive director of the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry.

The chamber’s board of directors announced on Monday morning that it has selected Jim LaBelle for the position. LaBelle will start on Oct. 15.

LaBelle has more than 30 years of private-sector marketing and financial management experience. He most recently served as the vice president of marketing at Raw Seafoods in Fall River, Massachusetts, where his accomplishments included developing a three-year strategic plan for the company and launching a new line of value-added seafood products.

After vacationing with his family in the Biddeford and Saco region for the past 10 years, LaBelle recently decided to permanently move to Biddeford and seek a more community and service-focused leadership position.

“I am very excited to be named the chamber’s next executive director,” said Labelle. “The region and the business community are vibrant and expanding, and I will work to build on the prior successes of the organization to help the members and the entire Biddeford/Saco region continue to grow and prosper.”

LaBelle was selected from a pool of six finalists who interviewed for the job. The interview process was conducted by members of the chamber’s board of directors.

“We were pleased to select Mr. LaBelle for this position,” said Scott Gillespie, the chairman of the chamber’s search committee. He said he was impressed with LaBelle’s leadership, management and sales skills, his love for the area and his contagious energy.

“I look forward to Jim’s goal-oriented, collaborative and enthusiastic approach to leadership and believe that Jim LaBelle has the skills to bring the chamber to the next level,” said Stephen P. St. Cyr, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors.

Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant serves as a member of the chamber’s board of directors and assisted in interviewing the candidates for the executive director position.

“Having interviewed Mr. LaBelle, I believe that he understands our community and is passionate about making a difference in this position,” said Casavant. “The Chamber of Commerce is an important asset to Biddeford, and we look forward to collaborating with Jim as their new executive director.”

Robert Biggs, executive director of local economic development group Saco Main Street, was drawn to Labelle’s pleasant demeanor and strong desire to bring positive changes to the twin cities during the interview process.

“Jim Labelle has extensive corporate experience bringing strong marketing and communication skills to the Chamber of Commerce,” Biggs said. “I am excited about the opportunity of Saco Main Street and the Heart of Biddeford working with Jim in his new role with the chamber, collaborating to continue to build a stronger Saco and Biddeford.”

The position of executive director at the chamber had been vacant since former Executive Director Craig Pendleton resigned on July 5.