Regional Chamber Welcomes Two New Hires This Quarter

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut announces the appointment of two new staff members.

Denise Desrochers, originally hailing from Biddeford, Maine, serves as the new Program and Event Manager. Desrochers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Voice Performance from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Arts in Translation Studies from the University of Portsmouth. She brings extensive knowledge of professional development and program coordination through her previous work and volunteer experiences. Prior to moving to Connecticut, she was an active member and served as Chair for the Heart of Biddeford main street organization, developing downtown programming with residents and local businesses to improve community quality of life. Desrochers worked for the international education and global exchange industry as the Council on International Education Exchange’s (CIEE) former Exchange Foundations Senior Coordinator. She now calls Plainfield, CT home. Her day-to-day duties for the Chamber will include overseeing event logistics and program execution.

Julia Florence, a New London County native from Voluntown, CT, will serve as the new Communications Manager, overseeing internal and external public relations and marketing initiatives. Florence is an alum of Eastern Connecticut State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication with degree concentrations in public relations, advertising, and leadership communication. Her top scholastic involvements included: TV 22 (college news station), Lambda Pi Eta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Public Relations Student Society of America. Professionally, she brings a background in marketing, having previously worked for New London-based agency Quinn & Hary.

These two women are positive go-getters and eager professionals looking forward to engaging with our regional membership and local communities.

“We are pleased to welcome Desrochers and Florence to our team. They will be great assets for the Chamber and our Innovation/Co-Working Center, bringing their professional skills and experience to support our mission and the region’s business community.” states President and CEO Tony Sheridan.

The Chamber employs 11 professional staff at 92 Eugene O’Neill Drive, New London.


Denise Desrochers, Program and Event Manager


Julia Florence, Communications Manager