With a new executive director, the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce is planning to do the things chambers do best: serve members.

Kathleen Knuckey took over the position Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, but said there was just a small coincidence in the date.

“It’s a job you love to do,” she said.

In addition to networking events, the chamber is redesigning its website and hope to have the new one up and running in the next four to six months. It is logging onto Facebook and Twitter and plans to poll its 400 members to weigh in whether Silverdale should incorporate. The Chamber also plans to work with other Kitsap chambers, as well as the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau.

The office staff has also been built up, with two-full time and two-part time employees, an increase from one full time and two volunteers.

“We’re going back to basics,” said Angela Sell, newly elected Chamber president.

And getting back to basics is Knuckey’s task. The Bainbridge Island resident was brought on board after years in business spread across multiple industries, from business to business sales, marketing, advertising, finance, real estate and construction. Most recently, she worked in retail at Rich’s For the Home in Silverdale, where she had the chance to use her interior decorating skills. She attended Bellevue Community College and the Northwest College of Art.

As for the business climate in Silverdale, things are looking good, she said.

“What I’ve been seeing is we have a change going on,” Knuckey said.

“The confidence is coming back,” Sell said.