ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Chamber of Commerce has selected a new president/CEO.

Erica Church, who is currently with the Rowan County Chamber, will take over the Stanly position that has been vacant since last December when Sandy Selvy-Mullis left.

Church has been working in the industry since June 2019 when she began with Rowan as member services director. She was promoted to vice president of business development in June 2022.

In this capacity she worked with Leadership Rowan, membership development, marketing/communications and special events.

Church also worked with not-for-profit organizations, congressional campaigns and in the private sector.

She has a bachelor of science degree from Appalachian State University and is married with three children.

“The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce Board is excited to welcome Erica Church as our next president and CEO,” Chamber Board Chair Wil Huneycutt said. “With her experience in the chamber industry, we believe that she will enhance and develop our chamber programs and add tremendous value to our membership. Under Erica’s leadership, we look forward to continuing to advance our mission to cultivate and catalyze a vibrant Stanly County business community.”

Church said she saw the ad for the job opening in the Salisbury Post.

“I just felt like it was a good time to take the next step,” she said, adding that one of the goals of Leadership Rowan is “being ready and preparing ourselves to take on more responsibilities and a bigger role within organizations.”

“It was just a perfect time to move forward with that,” she added.

Church said she will work to familiarize herself more with the county, but she already has a little knowledge of it as she has a son who graduated from Gray Stone Day School and a daughter who attended middle school and part of high school there.

Rowan Chamber President Elaine Spalding said that she was sad to see her go but excited for what the future had in store for church.

“The Rowan Chamber has enjoyed working with Erica Church for almost five years,” Spalding said. “While we are happy for her, we are sad for us.

“On a personal note, it makes me proud that she has chosen to pursue a career in chamber work and sought an executive position at another chamber in the region. We look forward to working with the Stanly Chamber on a healthy business climate for the entire region.”

Church’s starting date with the Stanly County Chamber will be April 8.