Salem chamber names former employee Tom Hoffert new CEO

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Tom Hoffert will take over as CEO starting Jan. 2, the chamber announced Thursday. (Courtesy of Photos By Orion and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has turned to a former employee, now an executive at a Mexican food manufacturer and distributor, to take its top job.

Tom Hoffert will replace CEO Nick Williams starting Jan. 2, the organization announced Thursday. Hoffert was…