The Andalusia Chamber of Commerce staff has a new face, but one that is familiar to the local community.

Maggie Jones, a 2011 AHS grad who recently graduated from the University of Alabama, has joined executive director Chrissie Duffy as the assistant director.

Jones spent time working for the city of Tuscaloosa while pursuing a public relations major. She earned minors in biology, psychology and computing technology and applications.

She said she is excited to be home and is ready to get to work helping the community.

Her first major project is working with a local firm to update the Chamber’s website.

Additionally, she’s heading up the annual Chamber golf tournament set for August.

And she’s added more social media outlets to the Chamber’s portfolio.

“I’ve created an Instagram and Twitter account for the Chamber,” she said. “Right now, I’m working on getting followers.”

The Chamber already had a Facebook account, but Jones said she wants to cover all bases to make sure that locals know what’s going on at the Chamber and communitywide.

She’s also been working to get to know the board of directors and Chamber members.

Jones said fate brought her back to Andalusia.

“I applied for Chrissie’s job,” she said.

In March, Duffy announced she would resign as director to be at home with her children, but the board and Duffy collectively agreed it wasn’t time for that transition.

Instead, Jones was offered a position at assistant director.

“This is something I’ve done every day,” she said. “I’ve worked in the mayor’s office and worked with economic development and I thought I could help my hometown. It’s a little bit different.”

Jones said she’s excited to work with local businesses.

One of her last projects in Tuscaloosa allowed her to work closely with downtown businesses to promote a 5K and give participants incentives and discounts for the race weekend.

“That’s something I think I can bring home,” she said. “I wasn’t originally planning to come home, but I think this is a great opportunity for me, and I’m enjoying getting to know the community better.

She is the daughter of Henry and Liz Jones.