Former college president Dr. Paul R. Dauphinais has been selected as the Homer Chamber of Commerce's new executive director. Moving with his wife, Debra, from Massachusetts, Dauphinais will take the place of Tina Day and officially begin work at the chamber Nov. 30.

"We feel that (Dauphinais) will bring the chamber to the next level. He'll be good for the community because of his experience with economic development," said Chamber Board President Don Cotogno. "He has been a college president, and he comes with lots of experience in the things we need in Homer. Not just the chamber, but Homer in general."

"Alaska is probably the place I have felt the most comfortable and the place I have felt the best about being there," said Dauphinais, who served as the chief academic and administrative officer for the Matanuska-Susitna College, University of Alaska-Anchorage, from 2002-2006.

Dauphinais grew up in a mill town approximately 40 miles from Boston, Mass., and graduated from Bridgewater State College with a bachelor of arts in English in 1977. Upon graduation, he taught in public schools before tax reform in the state resulted in teaching cutbacks. After enrolling in the U.S. Navy's Officer Candidate School, Dauphinais was commissioned in May 1978 as an engineer officer on a minesweeper.

That was followed with an assignment in the engineering department on an aircraft carrier. Through post-graduate studies, he earned a master's degree in information systems management and went on to serve as chief engineer on a guided missile destroyer. Traveling to more than 20 countries, Dauphinais served 10 years of active duty in the Navy and an additional 11 years as a reservist, retiring in 1999.

Enrolling in the University of Maine, Orono, Maine, Dauphinais earned a doctoral degree in American and Canadian history. He has held numerous positions in higher education including director of admissions, adviser, registrar, vice president of student services, campus dean and interim president. His involvement in higher education eventually led to Matanuska-Susitna College in 2002.

"It was an exciting opportunity," he said of his time at the college. "I think I had a good run while I was there and met some terrific people. I really enjoyed that environment."

While in Alaska, Dauphinais said he found Alaskans to be very welcoming.

"They accept you for what you are and who you are," he said. "If you're an honest person, you'll be accepted for what you are and that's pretty refreshing."

Before leaving Alaska to become president of Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland, Dauphinais also had the opportunity to visit the Homer area.

Of 32 applicants, Dauphinais is one of seven that were interviewed for the chamber position.

"I think many of the skills one develops in higher education are really quite transferable to a chamber of commerce," he told the Homer News in a phone interview. "One of the things that we have to do in education is try to develop consensus, and to work on developing and nurturing partnerships. One of the things that many people take for granted about higher education in particular is that we really try to work with local businesses and help stabilize, diversify and grow the economy of the region that we serve. We also do a good deal of fundraising, as well as marketing and advertising."

In a press release announcing the selection of Dauphinais, the chamber noted specific areas of experience that will serve the chamber and the area well.

"The chamber board of directors believes (Dauphinais) will bring demonstrated experience in budget, education and organizational management to the chamber and the Homer community," the board said.

"The board of directors is confident Paul Dauphinais' experience with projects requiring consensus, fundraising and working partnerships will be an asset to the Homer business community."

Dauphinais and his wife, a third-generation Alaskan whose family homesteaded in the Mat-Su Valley in the 1930s, will leave the East Coast this week and begin their drive to Homer.

"I'm hoping we'll be there shortly after Thanksgiving," said Dauphinais, adding that the couple is hoping to have housing arranged in the next few days "so we can unpack the car a little bit before I go to work."

Day announced in September her resignation. Her final days at the chamber will overlap with Dauphinais to allow for a smooth transition.