CASHMERE — A local bank manager chosen to head the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce wants to boost member participation and increase the city’s tourism during his 2013 term.

“The plan for 2013 is fairly simple,” said Alex Cruz, branch manager here at Cashmere Valley Bank. “And that’s to continue the recent wave of success the Chamber and our members have established in the past few years.”

Chamber board members chose Cruz as president in a vote taken in December. He grew up in East Wenatchee and was named Cashmere bank manager in 2011. He was also one of the Wenatchee Valley Business World’s 30 Under 35, a list of up-and-coming young business leaders in the region.

Cruz has served on the Chamber board for three years and was last year’s vice president.

The new president’s goals for the coming year include:

A more active membership. “Members are the Chamber’s most valuable asset,” said Cruz, “and we want to hear more from them.”

Increase the city’s fledgling tourism industry by promoting Cashmere to the 14,000 whitewater rafters who pull out of the river at Riverside Park each summer.

Improve Cashmere direction signs by adding solar lights to highway welcome signs, adding a visitor’s info kiosk near the Cashmere Pioneer Village and Museum and designing banners for downtown streets.

Chamber members also voted in December to add new board members Pam Catching of Milne Insurance, Teri Weedman of Weeds Cafe and Jessica Lindblom of the Mount Cashmere Golf Course. Elected to a second term were Laurie Shorett of Cascade Valley Inn, David Weber of Martin’s Market Place and Michelle Whitford of Apple Annie’s Antique Gallery.

Mike Irwin: 665-1179

irwin@wenacheeworld.com