JONESVILLE, Va. — When Bob Bost moved to Lee County, becoming the Executive Director of the Lee County Area Chamber of Commerce was the last thing on his mind.

Having come from Massachusetts after working in the food industry, Bost planned to ease into the country lifestyle, renovate an old farmhouse, and plant a vineyard.

But when he saw an advertisement for the position in a local paper, Bost thought he could lend his expertise to help local business.

“It wasn’t something I planned to do when I came here,”said Bost, who has a PHD in pharmacology and teaches business classes at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

His wanting to advance business in Lee Co. came in part from the picturesque region.

“The beauty of the area is just striking,” said Bost, who grew up in North Carolina and has family from Lee Co. “Everytime I drive down this valley, I marvel at it.”

Now that he’s Executive Director, he’s working with the Chamber to advance local business and serve the community better.

“It’s an interesting organization, a lot of different people are involved,” said Bost. “ I think my role is to increase the membership and make the Chamber a more important and relevant part of Lee County, [and] to start some programs... that give back to the community.”

Bost said that small businesses gain a chance to network and gain exposure within the community by joining the Chamber.

“My goal is to make the Chamber an organization that businesses will want to join,” said Bost, “not an organization that I have to go out and beg people to join.”

With the 2009 agenda, Bost has his plate full. He and the Chamber members plan to raise money through their annual golf scramble, May 2 at Cedar Hill Country Club, in order to buy soccer balls for kids who are a part of the Lee County Youth Soccer Association Summer Program.

“It’s about 350 kids,” said Bost. “The total cost of the soccer balls will be $2,300.”

The Chamber of Commerce won’t bear the entire cost. Sheriff Parsons plans to make a donation with the proceeds of his own charity golf scramble, as well contributions from the Optimist Club.

One of the most exciting projects Bost plans to help coordinate will be the brand new Farmers and Artisans Market starting June 6th at the Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing. He said Chief Ranger John Hartley was instrumental in getting the project started.

The market is part of an initiative by the Chamber and the park to promote local business and will meet every Saturday in the summer and fall, starting June 6th from 9-5 p.m. Bost encourages anyone who wants to sell locally grown or hand-made good to contact the Chamber at (276) 546 2233.

Bost said he wants to make the motto of the marketplace “locally grown, and locally known.”

He also wants to make Lee Co. attractive to retirees and those living outside the region.

“One of my prime efforts will be to get a website up that will appeal to people outside the area,” said Bost. “We are looking at the baby boomers retiring in record breaking numbers... I think if we make people aware of this region, we’re going to have people wanting to move. The initiative will be to have a website that will attract people from these high cost regions. We’re trying to develop a logo that will highlight that.”

To get involved in the Lee Co. Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble happening Saturday, May 2 at the Cedar Hill Country Club in Jonesville, call (276) 546-2233 or (276) 346-1535. The entry fee is $50 per person, which includes cart, greens fee, breakfast, and lunch.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.