GUILDERLAND — Business here has a new face.

Starting on Monday, Katherine Burbank will be the new executive director of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

Burbank described herself as having strong ties to the community with a background in business and not-for-profit management. She is excited about taking over the post, filled by Jane Schramm for 10 years, and she looks forward to continuing the charitable work of the chamber.
"I live in Guilderland"It is a small town, a family-oriented place, and the chamber does a good job in the community," Burbank said. "My husband is on the board for youth lacrosse and my kids go to Tawasentha Park for camping in the summer."
As for taking on the task of running the Guilderland Chamber, Burbank said, "For me, it’s a larger family"I’ve always loved this area."

Burbank lives with her husband, Steve Wacksman, in their Westmere home with their five children. Burbank is originally from Saratoga and her husband is a life-long Guilderland resident.
Burbank regularly received the chamber’s newsletter, she said, and, once she saw the opening for executive director, Burbank said, "It looked wonderful to me."
"It’s a lot of networking events. I think that the board of directors liked me because of what I could bring with me," said Burbank. "The interviews went very well."

Roger Lipera, who chairs the chamber’s board of directors, agreed.
"We’re very happy. Everyone I’ve talked to is very excited. "We were looking for people with experience in private businesses and non-profits"and a connection to the community."

Lipera said he looks forward to working with Burbank and hopes for a long and beneficial tenure.
"It seems like, in the Capital District, directors of the local chambers tend to stay around for awhile," he said.

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce interviewed candidates for about three weeks before choosing Burbank, said Lipera.

Burbank has held different managerial positions for both private and not-for-profit organizations, including United Way in Albany. She has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University at Albany.

Burbank never met Schramm, who moved on to become the director of Senior Services of Albany, but that she corresponded with her via e-mail.
"I was preparing for a Taste of Albany event and she was inquiring about having a Taste of Guilderland event," Burbank said. "I guess now I’ll be working on it."

Maintaining the chamber, increasing services to local businesses, and continuing charitable work are Burbank’s main objectives for her first year, she said. But, in the future, she added, Burbank would like to come up with new events like last year’s Pigtacular to promote charitable fund-raising.

Burbank said she sees the job of director as representing the chamber for area businesses and at community events, as well as promoting and advertising the chamber and its activities. She will also be working with the town government on economic development issues, said Burbank.
"I think chambers are important and do a good job"especially the Guilderland Chamber," Burbank said. "It’s a niche community with a variety of businesses"It will be nice to connect them all."