PARIS – John Williams is stepping down as executive director of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce at the end of the year.

“I’ve put a lot of my life and my passion” into the Chamber job, said Williams. “It’s been a good ride.”

Williams, 53, made the announcement at a Thursday meeting of the Chamber’s executive committee.

Board Chairman Chris Delamater said Williams has been an asset to both the Chamber and the local community for nearly 11 years.

“His passion for the area will be missed,” Delamater said. The executive committee, including incoming president Judy Green and next year’s president-elect, Dana Chandler, will meet soon to discuss hiring his replacement.

On Wednesday, Williams said he has decided to devote all his energy to his multi-media company, Williams Broadcasting Inc., which has seen significant growth in recent years. Working with his wife, Wendy, from their home on Greenwood Road, Williams’ business provides spots on everything from ski slope conditions to arts and entertainment news to more than 45 radio stations throughout the Northeast and Canada.

Williams has served the Chamber in many roles, including one of his favorites, playing Santa Claus at the annual fund-raiser for Christmas for Kids. He has been successful in bringing national figures to speak at the annual Chamber dinner. He has kept a strong focus on tourism, and kept alive the tradition of the Chamber’s huge annual Christmas Parade.

For the past three years he has added a new attraction, the highly successful annual manufactured housing show.

He’s most proud that membership in the Chamber under his leadership has doubled, from 175 to over 350 members.

“I’m a people person. I spend a lot of my time doing public relations,” said Williams, who grew up in Auburn and worked in sales and management at several radio stations in Maine and other states.

It’s that kind of personal attention to Chamber members, he said, that has allowed him to develop a sense of friendship with most of the membership.

“It’s been a great experience here at the Chamber,” he said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with people, and I’ll continue to help them in any way that I can.”

Williams said the future of the Chamber looks bright.

“We’re taking over the business showcase next year. I’m excited about that,” he said. “I think that’s a good transition” from the founding organizers of the showcase, the Growth Council of Oxford Hills.

Williams said he sees the Chamber as becoming more focused in the coming years on “results-based services,” in finding ways to more directly meet the needs of Chamber members and help them be more successful.

“I’m very proud and very pleased. I have no regrets about leaving.”