A meet and greet reception was held to welcome Michelle Cortez as the new membership director of the Early Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening at Chick-Fil-A in Heartland Mall.

Cortez had lived in Brazoria County all of her life and moved to the Brownwood/Early area in May of this year to live near her parents who retired to the area.

Prior to becoming the new membership director at the Early Chamber of Commerce, Cortez had worked as a customer service representative at a very busy State Farm insurance agency.  She has a business management degree from the University of Pheonix and had worked a few months at Common Grounds in Brownwood prior to her new position.  She stated that she had left her resume and applied at many businesses in her search for a full time job.  The position of membership director fell right into her plans, as she had originally hoped to go into the hospitality industry, and is a very social position.  She also enjoys working and organizing events.

She explained that she took six weeks off after her move to settle into the area with her 10-year-old son and that she feels that the job as membership director was meant to be.  “The Lord aligned everything and it all fell into place,” said Cortez.  “I had found a church home and met many people through working at Common Grounds, which really helped.”