Arvada Chamber of Commerce will welcome new president Kami Welch on Dec. 1.

Welch, 30, is a young mother and wife, with a background in public relations, real estate and volunteer work with local nonprofit organizations.

“I think it’s great to see a community grow,” Welch said. “When you get the right people in, it can move mountains.”

For Metro North Chamber of Commerce President Deb Obermeyer, Welch was the clear choice. Welch brings to the job a passion for the community and innovative experience with other chambers, both traits sought for in a chamber president, Obermeyer said.

“Kami is a great chamber executive with a lot of confidence and some great ideas,” Obermeyer said, “She’ll be a great addition to Arvada.”

Welch was one of 25 applicants for the position, which was narrowed down to two finalists. For the board, Welch’s experience at the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and her lively personality made her standout as the best applicant for the position according to board members.

“The two to three programs she initiated with the Brighton Chamber, regarding membership and member retention, that’s something we’ve been trying to figure out,” Arvada Chamber of Commerce chairman Jerry Marks said. “With those programs, she solved what we had been trying to do.”

Formerly the Brighton Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, Welch took the chamber from a small organization with 175 members and transformed it. Through programs such as utilizing social media and revisiting the chamber structure, Welch grew the chamber membership to more than 350 members in three years.

“It was a pleasure talking to people learning about their needs,” Welch said. “Seeing where the Brighton Chamber was when I started, and seeing the growth, it was a big accomplishment for me.”

Originally from Oregon, Welch obtained her degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis from the University of Oregon, and hopes to use those skills and the relationships she’s developed to enhance and grow the chamber.

“Arvada is a growing community with potential for the chamber to be a big part of the community,” Welch said. “I have a lot of energy and excitement; I’m ready to jump in, so buckle up.”

When she’s not building relationships with the community and its businesses, Welch can be found hiking in the mountains, exploring breweries or spending time with her husband, son, and Australian-Retriever mix, Taiga.

Welch will begin as chamber president Dec. 1, succeeding Dot Wright, who served five years.