Cathy Hoover, the new Executive Director of the Westlake Chamber of Commerce, said she is ready to take the chamber and its member businesses to the next level and encourage member growth. "Now is the time to take advantage of our vibrant local economy in one of the most appealing cities in the country," Hoover said. "I love community and have a passion for building relationships. Growing up, I was always the matchmaker. Nothing makes me happier than connecting individuals and businesses to make them an even better version of themselves." Hoover said she has spent time in the Westlake area since the early 1970s. After marrying her husband–a 1981 Westlake High School graduate–the couple moved back to the area in 2004 to raise their two boys in Eanes ISD, she said. "I immediately became involved in various community and school organizations including the Eanes Education Foundation, where I have served in various roles the last 13 years, most recently on staff as the development and alumni association director," Hoover said. Hoover said she took on her new role as the chamber's executive director because she believes the organization is poised to do great things in the next few years. "The chamber's goal is to educate, connect and mobilize its member businesses," she said. "This is a member-driven organization which means that our members are actively engaged in setting the direction of the chamber." Hoover said she plans to do more for members than the chamber ever has by providing increased membership, more effective relationship building events, meaningful community service, greater sponsorship opportunities and the creation of Leadership Westlake, which will be an exclusive group of business members developing their leadership skills with local leaders and integral businesses. The chamber, for the first time, will also be giving back to the community through charitable donations, she said.