FAIRMONT — Ned Koppen has built a lot of relationships in his 30-plus years working in Fairmont. He believes they will serve him well in his new role as Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce president.

“In addition to getting to know everybody who I don’t know, or getting to know people I do know a little better, in a little different light, and get their feelings and what they hope the Fairmont Chamber can be,” he said. “And, hopefully, myself and the Chamber can be the best advocate possible for the city of Fairmont.”

The Chamber announced Koppen’s hiring Tuesday.

He comes to the organization after it parted ways with its previous president, Margaret Dillard, earlier this summer. At the time, in an email to members, the Chamber said Dillard left as part of a mutual decision.

On Tuesday, the group’s board of directors simply said it was pleased to make the announcement, that Koppen would begin working Aug. 27, and that people should stop by the Chamber office to meet him. An official meet-and-greet is being planned for early September.

Several applicants sought the president’s job. All were local residents.

Koppen, 55, is a native of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and a 1986 graduate of Minnesota State-Mankato.

He and his wife, Kim, moved to Fairmont in the fall of 1986. She is the art teacher at Fairmont Area Schools. The couple has two children, Bailey and John.

Koppen has worked as a sales representative in Fairmont, the past 26 years at River Bend Business Products.

“Maybe overall the thing that really intrigued me about [the job] is that I love Fairmont, and I think Fairmont’s just got so many things to offer,” he said. “And having the chance to advocate to people or groups or businesses that are looking at Fairmont in some way is going to be fun.”

Fairmont, he says, has a great small town atmosphere where people help each other out. He also believes there is a great business community, with many homegrown businesses. He admits there are challenges, as in every small town, especially in the retail sector. But he also sees opportunity for businesses to move here.

He also noted that Fairmont’s lakes are a great amenity.

At the same time, Koppen said he is not so presumptuous as to bring an agenda with him to the new job.

“I think that instead of thinking this needs to change or that needs to change, it’s more I need to get a grip on what the Chamber does right now and make sure we’re doing that in the best way possible,” he said. “Then settle in and evaluate everything and move forward from there.”

The Chamber has 255 members, ranging across a spectrum of small to large businesses, as well as other groups. Koppen would like to see the organization grow.

“The Chamber is always going to be stronger, the more it is supported,” he said. “From that perspective, having as many members as possible is important. I’m sure everybody has a reason why they want to be a Chamber member or not, and it’s probably my job to figure out what those reasons are and see if I can present the Chamber in a way that everybody wants to be involved.”

He is ready to get started.

“I’m really honored to have gotten this position,” he said. “I’m excited to be in this position. I’m a big proponent and advocate for Fairmont, and I’m going to do the best job I can to continue to be that.”