Ms. Kathy A. Williamson

Crescent City, CA 95531 Kathy Williamson, Executive Director

KATHY WILLIAMSONAdministrative Assistant

Crescent City, CA 95531 Kathy Williamson, Executive Director

ALEXANDRIA BAY -- Kathy A. Williamson, installed a week ago as the Chamber of Commerce's new executive director, said she'll be breaking a commonly held misconception.

"We're so much more than just Memorial Day to Labor Day," the Alexandria Bay resident said, before reciting a fall and winter schedule that includes a healthy offering of music, art and outdoor activities.

Ms. Williamson was appointed the chamber's interim executive director in July, after Thomas A. Weldon resigned to become general manager of Dark Island's Singer Castle.
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Mrs. Davis said Ms. Williamson "did an absolutely fantastic job throughout the summer."
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Ms. Williamson said her previous position as administrative assistant at the American Red Cross didn't allow her to share her hometown enthusiasm with others.

The chamber "gave me a way of sharing my love of the river with other people who are interested in coming to Alex Bay," she said.

Now she oversees the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization that boasts 250 members and a $94,000 annual operating budget.In the winter, Ms. Williamson is joined in the Market Street office by just one other employee.

The relaxed atmosphere of the snowy season allows the director to accomplish an agenda she recently set for the organization.Ms. Williamson said she'd like to expand the 32-page visitors guide, improve the chamber's Web site and attract more businesses to the area.
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Ms. Williamson said that if last summer is any indication, many tourists will be patronizing Mr. Bigelow's store.

"We had one of our best summers yet, tourist-dollars-wise," she said.
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The famed island attraction is receiving heavy competition from Singer Castle, Ms. Williamson noted.

"It's nice to go to Boldt Castle and see the possibilities of what was lost there and then see Singer Castle and see what's finished and what a castle would have been like," she said.

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