PARIS — The executive director of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce will give up his position next month to begin work with a chamber where he used to volunteer.

Steve Wallace, who was hired as the Chamber’s director in May of 2008, said he will be leaving around Oct. 16. Wallace will become the president and executive director of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce, which serves Brunswick, Bath and 14 other communities.

“It’s a huge professional jump for me, and it’s an opportunity that truly wouldn’t come again,” Wallace said.

Wallace served 21 years in the U.S. Marines Corps, and formerly worked with chambers in Portland and Androscoggin County. He also volunteered at the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and served on the Governor’s Advisory Council and Job Retraining and Education Subcommittee during work related to the redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Wallace said the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber can focus on a larger scope of activities due to a larger staff. He said he will focus on some major regional projects, namely interaction with a number of associations in the area and solutions for keeping the area viable after the Brunswick base closes in 2011.

“That’s $180 million that’s walking out of town,” he said.

Wallace said he was told of the opening by some business members of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, and did not decide to apply until two months after the opening had been posted. He said he has helped in efforts to expand the Chamber to include offices for the Small Business Development Center and Oxford Fair, as well as increasing membership and talent-based recruitment to help with events.

Sue Goulet, member of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, also cited Wallace’s work with renovating the Chamber and strengthening committees.

“We’ve very sad to see him go,” Goulet said. “We thought he was very successful.”

Goulet said a search committee will conduct interviews after a job description has been created, and the Board of Directors will hire a new director based on their recommendations.

“We really want someone who has a commitment to our local businesses,” she said.

Bruce Little, owner of the Frost Farm Gallery in Norway and former office manager with the Chamber, will work as an interim manager during the transition. Little said he will continue to run the gallery while in this position.

Little also credited Wallace with strengthening committees and hosting successful events.

“Basically what he’s done is brought to a new height the chamber’s mission, which is to help our businesses succeed in a number of ways,” he said.

Michael Newsom, who led the Board of Directors when Wallace was hired, said Wallace helped to improve finances and increase membership.

“In a nutshell, I’m delighted for him and disappointed for us,” he said.

Wallace said the Chamber members are the main factor in the strength of the organization, both in terms of donations and time volunteered.

“This has been a great 18 months for me,” he said. “I’m going to miss the friends and business associates that I’ve met here.”

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