New Manager Takes Chamber’s Reins

Nelson “Mac” MacWilliams, Ramona Chamber of Commerce Manager.

By Ruth Lepper

Nelson “Mac” MacWilliams is learning everything he can about Ramona. And it’s all in a day’s work.

“I thought I knew a lot about Ramona but I’m learning a lot about the people,” said the new manager for Ramona Chamber of Commerce.

MacWilliams has been on board since June 13, managing the day-to-day operations. The chamber office, at 960 Main St., is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. MacWilliams is there every day, plus an hour earlier in the mornings and in attendance at least six nights a month for meetings and other events.

That extra hour in the morning gives him time to do research and plan his agendas.

“I figure out what the plans are, what I’m going to do for the day,” he said.

During the Ramona Country Fair, Aug. 4-7, MacWilliams will help man the chamber’s information booth.

“I like meeting and greeting the people,” he said. And when someone asks a question about Ramona, he wants to be able to give them the right answer.

“We are in the process of building resources as a bigger information service about Ramona, to provide data services,” he said. “A large volume of people have come through and walked in here. (The office) needs to be put in order in a structured way where it’s more efficient.”

That’s one of the goals he has set for himself — to reorganize the office so information is more readily available. He plans to

“get things in a more structured, organized administrative state.”

Membership in the chamber is approaching 400, up from 363 when MacWilliams took over the operation of the office a few weeks ago. His goal is to reach 500 during the next year.

He also will oversee improvements to the chamber’s facility and work to improve the chamber’s visibility.

“We’re hard to find on Main Street,” he said. “We’re getting a facelift, painting inside and out.”

Suggestions under consideration include adding a porch to the front of the small building. Improvements also will be made to the parking lot.

MacWilliams brings a strong background in administration to the position. He served for 22 years with the U.S. Navy, retiring as an administrator and security specialist for defense contractor operations.

He continues to work as a consultant for the Navy.

MacWilliams, 48, and his wife, Susan, have lived in Ramona since 1996. They have four children, “all grown and gone,” and two grandchildren.

Photo by Jamey ritter