The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce has elected Seana Gaherin to serve as chairman of its Board of Directors effective Jan. 1.

Gaherin, owner of Dunn-Gaherin’s Food & Spirits, a neighborhood-focused pub on the Newton-Needham line, succeeds Joseph De Vito, who served as chamber’s chairman for two years.

“I’m excited and honored by this opportunity,” said Gaherin. “Newton and Needham are both amazing communities. I look forward to building, supporting, promoting and serving our businesses and non-profits.”

Gaherin was elected to a two-year term at the chamber’s Dec. 18 Board of Directors Meeting.  Rachel Hillman of Hillman Homes was elected first vice chairman. Linda Sloane Kay of Century Bank returns was vice chairman. Walter Tennant of R.L. Tennant Insurance returns as treasurer. David Lawson, from New England Cable News, returns as clerk. De Vito, of the Village Bank, will remain an active member of the executive board as immediate past chairman.

Gaherin and her partner Robert Dunn have operated Dunn-Gaherins for 22 years. She has been a member of the Newton-Needham Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2010 and served as executive vice chair for the past two years.  She is a board member at the Restaurant Business Alliance and a past director with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

Gaherin has also been active with a wide variety of non-profit and civic groups and causes, including Friends of Hemlock Gorge, Project Hope, Feast of the Falls and the annual For Pete’s Sake Road Race. This year she was appointed by Newton Mayor Setti Warren to serve on the Newton Police Chief Search Committee. She also somehow found time to train, perform and ultimately win first place in Needham’s annual Dancing with the Stars competition, benefiting the Own Your Peace Project and Circle of Hope in Needham.

“It’s critical in these economic times that we work together to build lasting relationships that fortify our cultural and economic vitality,” Gaherin said. “I look forward to working with Chamber President Greg Reibman, his staff, my fellow directors, our municipal leaders and especially our members.”

Gaherin credited outgoing Chairman Joseph De Vito with bringing stability to the chamber during a period of transition, including the hiring of a new president and taking steps to modernize the organization.

“It’s not going to be easy to follow in Joe’s footstep,” Gaherin said. “He is an amazing man and a great role model.”

“It’s been a great privilege serving as chairman,” De Vito said. “I look forward to working with Seana and the chamber as I continue as a member of the board.”

Chamber President Greg Reibman said he is also looking forward to collaborating with Gaherin.

“Joe was a great mentor, a terrific friend and an invaluable resource for me when I came in the spring of 2011,” Reibman said. “Seana is a whirlwind of energy, ideas and inspiration.  They both care so deeply about this organization and believe that we all grow and profit when we give back to our communities.”

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