Salem Chamber Executive Director To Retire After 20 Years In June

SALEM, MA — Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek said he will retire in June after serving the organization for 20 years as it helped facilitate the revitalization of downtown Salem and helped guide businesses through the COVID-19 health crisis.

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved," Oosthoek in the announcement to Patch on Thursday. "We've become a regional leader, celebrated our 100th anniversary, and helped shape Salem into the thriving, vibrant community it is today. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the Chamber and the Salem community."

Oosthoek cited the Chamber's influence in the relaunching of Destination Salem and Salem Main Streets under former Mayor Kim Driscoll and its involvement in downtown festivals such as Salem's So Sweet and the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade.

Oosthoek was also the co-founder of Salem Film Fest, the acclaimed all-documentary film festival now entering its 18th year.

"Rinus's vision and unwavering commitment to advancing Salem and the entire region have been instrumental in the Chamber's success and in improving our community as a whole," Mayor Dominick Pangallo said in the announcement. "His steadfast leadership over his decades of service has left an indelible and positive mark on Salem, and we are profoundly grateful for his contributions to making our city the thriving and vibrant place that it is today."

Oosthoek served on numerous boards and committees, including the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Salem State University Assistance Corporation, the Salem Partnership, and Salem High School’s Career Technical Education Department, among others. His leadership extended to the city's Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization Task Force in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions.

"Rinus's exceptional leadership has propelled the Chamber to unprecedented growth and success, ensuring that we are well-positioned for an exciting new chapter," said Robyn Burns, incoming president of the Chamber's Board of Directors. "We are deeply thankful for his dedication to our Chamber, our region, and the state. We wish Rinus and his wife, Gina, the very best as they embark on this next season of their lives."

The Salem Chamber of Commerce will start the process of looking for a new executive director in February, with the goal of naming a successor by May 31. Oosthoek will remain in his role through June 15 to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)