Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that eight new board members were ratified at the meeting of the board of directors on Oct. 28.

 The following will formally join the chamber’s board of directors in January 2021 and serve a three-year term:

• Rachel Beckerman, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
• Woody Brownson, Vacation Myrtle Beach 
• Tracy Conner, Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association
• John Rutenberg, TD Bank
• Alberto Semidei, Sheraton Myrtle Beach
• Eileen Soisson, The Meeting Institute
• Ryan Swaim, Dunes Realty
• Heidi Vukov, Croissants Bistro & Bakery/Hook & Barrel

 “We are pleased to have such a diverse and knowledgeable group of local businesspeople joining the chamber board,” said Karen Riordan, president & CEO. “These new members will fill key areas needed to continue to grow and strengthen our organization and provide valuable insight into the needs of the business community as we remain focused on local economic recovery in the new year.” 

 Additionally, the chamber board voted and has elected Billy McGonigal of Best Western Ocean Sands Beach Resort as incoming board chairman for 2021. McGonigal served as the business development committee chair in 2020.

 “Being elected board chair is a role I do not take lightly as we move into what is arguably one of the most critical times in the history of the Grand Strand as we continue recovering from the effects of the pandemic on our business community and our hospitality industry,” said McGonigal. “Together the board and chamber staff will do everything in our power to encourage residents to support local businesses, bring tourism back and help our business community flourish once again.”