KINGSTON — As the summer months approach, so will out-of-town visitors and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s busiest season. In anticipation, the chamber recently filled the executive director position, hiring local business owner and community volunteer Nancy Tietje.

She replaced Sally Christy, who worked in the position for a year and a half, and chamber representatives are excited to have her, said Kingston Chamber of Commerce president Jana Kramberger.

“Nancy has a ton of experience, a lot of technical skills and is very organized,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with her.”

Tietje has worked with various volunteer groups since moving to Kingston 16 years ago, including the Kingston Kiwanis, the North Kitsap School District and Camp Fire, starting up a North End Special Saturday Club in which kids with special needs are looked after by local teenagers while their parents take a day off.

“First and foremost, I love my community, and I want to continue giving back to it,” she said as one of the main reasons for taking the job. “I’ve been trying to help the community be a wonderful place since I moved here. In addition to an extensive background in computer skills, I’ve also owned my own business for 10 years teaching flute, and I have an appreciation for people who own their own business.”

Chamber members unanimously approved Tietje’s hiring, and are looking forward to what she could provide for Kingston, said chamber vice president Debbie Anderson. Her duties as executive director will include attending all meetings, overseeing the volunteer desk at the Kingston Community Center, creating the monthly newsletter, updating the Web site and keeping track of membership.

“Nancy is going to bring an amazing background that covers so many different venues,” Anderson said. “She’s done everything from starting co-op daycares to being a beautiful flutist.”

Kramberger said Tietje is looking forward to moving the chamber in a new direction. Christy helped put the group back on track during her time as executive director, including starting the monthly newsletter, and Tietje said she hopes to continue that.

“I have full confidence that where we are now is where we want to be,” Kramberger said. “We were thrilled to have someone like Nancy for the job. She is a very professional woman, which reflects what the chamber is all about.”

“I’m just very excited to be serving the community,” Tietje said.