Chamber Welcomes Two New Board of Directors Members

Chamber President Ross Carey of U. S. Bank, appointed the two individuals to fill the unexpired terms of Parsons and Clark

Tom Hoffert and Mary Lou Zeek join the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Photo: Salem Chamber

(SALEM) - Mary Lou Zeek, owner of Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, and Tom Hoffert, Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods, will join the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The two will fill vacancies left by Sue Parsons, former owner of FASTSIGNS, and Janet Clark, Corporate Communications Manager for SUMCO. In accordance with Chamber by-laws, Chamber President Ross Carey of U. S. Bank, appointed the two individuals to fill the unexpired terms of Parsons and Clark. Mary Lou Zeek started her contemporary art and crafts gallery in 2001. As a working artist for more than 25 years, she knew she wanted to create an "artist friendly" gallery. As a community arts activist, she knew she wanted to use the gallery to advocate for art and artists. As a board member for the Salem Downtown Association and various city and state arts organizations, Mary Lou initiated fund raising and community events to support the arts. She has earned numerous local and national honors, including being ranked one of the top 25 retail galleries in the nation by Nichè Magazine and she's considered a leader in downtown Salem's revitalization efforts and successes. Mary Lou graduated from Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University) with a degree in education and art. She has worked as an artist in the schools and spent many years as a studio artist specializing in ceramics. Her goal is to help create a world where both artists and the general public appreciate and understand the power of the contribution artists make in the world. Shows initiated by Mary Lou that go beyond her gallery door include The Door Show, The Details Show and Face the Public. zeekgallery.com. Tom Hoffert graduated from Western Oregon University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Following graduation, Tom began employment with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce as Director of Public Affairs. His responsibilities included events management and lobbying efforts on behalf of small businesses in Oregon. While working full time at the Chamber, Tom completed a professional degree in Nonprofit Organizational Management at Colorado College. During a portion of his tenure at the Salem Chamber, Tom had the opportunity to work with a group of Oregon representatives in Washington D.C. for the United States Chamber of Commerce. Their focus was tort reform legislation. On Capitol Hill, Tom and fellow delegates lobbied for legislation protecting small businesses across this country from frivolous litigation and increased insurance premiums. Specifically, the "Class Action Fairness Act" was signed into law on February 18, 2005. Tom was hired by Don Pancho Mexican Foods Inc. in June of 2004. The Salem-headquartered tortilla manufacturer also has locations in Seattle, Yakima, Salt Lake City, and Rocky Mount, N.C. He serves as Business Development Director and his team is responsible for retail and food service accounts in the Pacific Northwest. Tom is an avid ice hockey player and a seasoned duck hunter. Tom lives in Salem and serves as Team Leader of the Chamber's Salem Area Young Professionals and co-Team Leader of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Team. He also sits on the Western Oregon University Alumni Board.