The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has announced that Larissa Van Donselaar has been named as the new Executive Director. Van Donselarr and her husband Dan Van Donselaar own and operate Knoxville Aviation. She has been employed as a substitute teacher for Knoxville Public Schools as well. Chamber Board President Todd Chambers says she has a strong skill set to lead the Chamber and community. Current director Aanna Hoch says that she and Van Donselaar have very similar leadership styles, which will make the transition smooth. Hoch will stay on through the end of the month to ease the transition.

Van Donselaar has spent time recently in the Marion County Engineer’s Office as an office assistant, and is also active in various local organizations including Celebrate Community Church, Marion County Humane Society, Montgomery Street Preschool and the Marion County Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Relief Foundation.

She is replace Hoch, who is stepping down as Director due to her husband taking a new position. The responsibilities of that position require they move their family to the Des Moines area.