The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center has a new executive director.

Brett Perry is a former U.S. Army aviation officer who has lived with his wife and kids in Soldotna for the last five years, according to a Tuesday press release from the chamber. In an open letter to the Kenai community, Perry said that he was born in Texas and raised in New Mexico, but fell in love with Alaska while stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks.

“I am honored to be in a position to help promote and support local businesses and the local community,” Perry wrote in the letter. “I hope to meet with as many chamber members as possible in the coming weeks in order to gain feedback on ways the chamber can better serve and add value to them.”

Perry replaces Brittany Brown, who stepped down as executive director in January after a year and a half of service. More about the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and its upcoming events can be found at kenaichamber.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.