Saline Chamber of Commerce Chooses Jackie Hardy as Executive Director

The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce last week announced the selection of Jacqueline Hardy as its new executive director.

Hardy replaces Larry Osterling, who'd been performing duties on an interim basis since he was called back to the position he'd held for 12 years after the resignation of John Tripolksy.

Osterling was the executive director from 2000-12. Hardy becomes the fourth director, not including Osterling, since 2012.

"I couldn't be more placed," Osterling said. "Our chamber board made and excellent decision. I'm looking forward to the enthusiasm and professional knowledge Jackie is bringing to the position with her background and as an established resident of our community she is ideally suited to represent our chamber as a leading voice of business and positive economic initiatives."

Hardy has experience in education, event planning, business and financial management.

Most recently she worked as an executive assistant at SimuQuest in Ann Arbor where she wrote grants and implemented special training programs. In Saline, she'll be familiar to some people for her work as recreation and enrichment at the Saline Area Senior Center. She also worked for the Saline High School Athletic Department. Prior to moving back to Michigan, she was a teacher, winning the distinguished service award from Bellevue City Schools and the the Gertrude Eppler Award for excellence in secondary education. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Bowling State University and Master's degree from the University of Michigan.

Hardy is originally from northern Michigan. She grew up in a family with five children and considers herself a family-oriented person. She and her husband moved to Ohio for her husband's job. It was there she went into teaching and coaching.

In 2006, her husband took a job in Ann Arbor and they moved to Saline - drawn to the small-town coziness.

"My heart belongs to the north, but Saline is a wonderful place to live. It's quaint, cute, friendly and welcoming," Hardy said. "Plus it's close to everything Southeast Michigan has to offer."

Hardy can draw on a lot of experience. She's been a teacher. She's been involved in the day-to-day operations of a software development company, she's organized activities for seniors.

Now, she's got an entirely new job as executive director for an organization that advocates on behalf of businesses in the Saline area.

"I'm looking forward getting to know the business community and the people in the shops and restaurants," Hardy said.

In her first week on the job, she's been learning the ins-and-outs of the job from Osterling. She's not afraid to admit she's got some learning to do.

"I'm going to have to dig in, ask questions and ask for help. The most important thing is I'm going to have to listen to what businesses want from the chamber," Hardy said.

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