A new Military Affairs Director has been hired for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.

MAC Advisory Committee Chair Phyllis Fitzgerald confirmed the new director will be soon to be retired Lieutenant Colonel Craig Bender. “He is right now stationed, I think over in North Carolina, but he’ll be retiring soon. We’re expecting him hopefully by the end of the year or the first of next year. So we’re really excited that we’ve  got somebody hired and looking forward to him and his family getting here, and seeing what all they can do for our great community.”

Fitzgerald confirmed Chamber CEO Mickey Fornaro-Dean had the final approval of the hiring of Bender. He will succeed John Seitz who retired from the MAC Director position.