October 22, 2025 – The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce announced today that Sam Bevins, who has served as Interim Director since January 2025, has been appointed the organization’s Chief Executive Officer.
A Gloucester native, Bevins began his career with the Chamber working at the Rockport visitor center and was named Director of Member Services in 2021 and Director of Operations in 2023.
Earlier this year, Bevins was appointed Interim Director of the Chamber, charged with ensuring a continued focus on serving the organization’s members and the Greater Cape Ann community during a transition period. Based on the Chamber’s success since this appointment in January, Bevins was offered the CEO position.
“Sam’s performance over the past nine months has exceeded the expectations of the Board,” said Chamber Board President Jim Brown. “His experience with Chamber operations, strong communication skills, and lifelong connection to Cape Ann have contributed greatly to the success of the organization over the past nine months.
“The Board was overwhelmingly impressed with Sam’s hard work and dedication, his collaborative and transparent leadership of the team, his cooperative interaction with the Board, and his ability to bring all this together to execute this year’s key events and activities and meet our transition objectives,” said Brown. “The Board looks forward to working with Sam to continue the Chamber’s important role in the community, to solidify our position as one the largest and most impactful chambers in the commonwealth, and to create an even more exciting future for our team and our members.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of CEO of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce” said Bevins. “These past few months as Interim Director have been both challenging and deeply rewarding — a real reminder of how meaningful this work is. Getting to know our members, local businesses, and community partners has been inspiring, and their passion and commitment motivate me every day. I want to sincerely thank the Chamber team and our Board of Directors for their trust and support throughout this transition. I’m proud of what we’ve already accomplished together and excited to keep building on that momentum in the months ahead,” said Bevins.
Among the highlights during Bevins’s tenure as Interim Director in 2025:
- launched a “Powered by Local” campaign aimed at promoting Greater Cape Ann businesses
- rolled out an updated Cape Ann Vacations website supporting tourism across the region
- coordinated candidate forums in Essex and Gloucester
- awarded grants to non-profit and civic organizations through the Cape Ann Community Foundation
- organized major events for businesses, residents and visitors, including Rockport’s Motif #1 Day, Manchester’s Festival by the Sea, and Gloucester’s downtown Block Parties
- supported new downtown planning initiatives in Gloucester, Manchester and Rockport
- improved the Chamber’s financial position through effective fundraising and resource management
About the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization working to promote its members, provide leadership and advocacy to grow the regional economy, celebrate the region’s culture, and enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in the communities of Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. The Chamber of Commerce is one of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ fastest growing chambers, with nearly 1,000 members, including small businesses, global enterprises, independent businesspeople, and civic-minded individuals.