OXNARD : Chamber Picks New Executive Director

The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce has selected Penny Hoffman of Thousand Oaks to head the organization, replacing George S. Scarvelis, who left in January after 12 years to pursue a business venture.

Hoffman most recently has worked as the communications manager for the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has a background in public relations, advertising, real estate and marketing, she said.

“I’m kind of a Jill-of-all-trades,” said Hoffman, who moved to California from Kansas with her husband and children two years ago.

As the Oxnard chamber’s new executive director, Hoffman said she will strive to boost membership by showing businesses that banding together brings results.

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work getting people to join,” Hoffman said. “It comes down to showing them that the chamber is a good investment for business people.”

The chamber will also work closely with the city to encourage economic revitalization in Oxnard, Hoffman said. The chamber has an annual budget of about $250,000, but finished last year with a $6,000 deficit.