Matt Murphy is not new to South Kitsap.

After years working as a business owner, consultant, real estate agent and for a telephone company, Murphy was selected as the new executive director of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce.

Murphy assumed the role Oct. 14 after the Chamber’s board of directors selected him to fill the post after Christine Daniel resigned July 19 because of health reasons. Desiree Steffens has been serving as interim director.

This is not the first time he has applied for the position. Several years ago, Murphy applied for the director’s job.

Murphy was a Chamber member while a business owner.

“I was on the Chamber board and served as treasurer,” he said. “I was also on the Fathoms o’ Fun Committee in the 1990s.”

Murphy said his long-term goal is to increase the Chamber’s membership, exposure and influence, along with becoming a clearinghouse for local businesses.

“We want to help them increase their sales and their profits,” he said. “The two are not the same. I can increase your sales through the roof, but if you don’t watch the other side, you can spend yourself into oblivion and have lots of sales.”

He wants to help businesses advertise their goods and services with an internet presence.

“We need to create value and making their investment worth something,” Murphy said. “I want to put together a platform of educational opportunities. ”

Murphy said he feels if the Chamber has greater exposure online, it will create requests for business referrals.

“Once we can prove you $190 is more than paying my salary or anything, people will want to join,” he said. “If people see the value in it, they join, we grow.”

Murphy, who feels that every business should have an website, said, “My goal is to help businesses get online. We want to become a resource where they can come to us for help.”

Murphy said he wants to survey Chamber members to see what type of speaker they would like for monthly luncheons.

“I need to talk to the members and see what they want, where do you want to be and what can we do for you,” he said.

He wants to put together a comprehensive calendar of events.

Since becoming executive director, Murphy has been attending committee meetings.

Before taking over as executive director, Murphy worked for Dex.

“I was working in sales with local businesses,” he said. “My background — in one way or another — has been around local businesses.”

Before working for Dex the past two years, Murphy worked with Mailbox Etc./UPS Store in the area’s support office for Western Washington.

“My job was to work with the 60 franchises and support them,” he said. “I helped them with their accounting, their operations and even employee concerns. It was an overall assistance program.”

Murphy said that is when he realized he wanted to help local businesses.

“I don’t call them small businesses, I call them local businesses,” he said. “In their eyes, they are large. They are trying to make a living for themselves.”

He said that technology has changed the world of business.

“So many business owners are great technicians,” Murphy said. “We have great plumbers, but not so much business operators. Great cooks, but not so much a manager. I have a heart for helping those people address the other side of their businesses.”

Murphy was born and raised in South Kitsap. He graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1983 and later graduated from Gonzaga University.

“I’m a four-generation South Kitsap resident,” said Murphy, whose great ancestors settled off Glenwood Road in the 1880s. “My dad is still here, I’m still here and I have one kid still here.”

After graduating from college, Murphy became an officer in the National Guard, got married and opened a bookstore. He also was a real estate agent with Century 21 and Reid Realty.

Murphy also has been active with the Boy Scouts, local youth soccer league as a coach, 4-H and others.

He and his wife have two sons and a daughter.