The Austin Chamber of Commerce said goodbye to one familiar face last week and is about to welcome another to the office.

Jeanine Nelson starts Monday as member services and major events coordinator at the chamber, taking over for Jeff Baldus as he transitions to executive director of the Austin Area Foundation.

Nelson retired Wednesday after more than 33 years with US Bank, where she served a variety of roles from teller to a personal banker to, most recently, a commercial lender.

Nelson is no stranger to the chamber.

“I’ve been involved with the chamber for over 20 years as an ambassador,” she said. “I truly believe in the chamber, their mission and what they’re out to accomplish.”

In her time as an ambassador, Nelson’s already come to love the chamber’s many events such as Christmas in the City, Freedom Fest, the annual awards banquet, AMIGO Day (the annual golf outing), and more. Now it’s her primary focus, along with ribbon cuttings and ambassador relations.

“I like doing those things and being involved,” she said.

Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner is excited for Nelson to start.

“We feel very luck to have Jeanine joining us here,” he said.

In Nelson, the chamber will welcome someone who already knows much about the chamber, its members and its services, Forstner said. He described Nelson as someone who has a strong grasp on local businesses and business issues.

“This is a people business, and she’s good with people,” he said.

Nelson said she has big shoes to fill, but is confident her experience will help.

Baldus ended his 15-year tenure at the chamber last week, and he’ll start as head of the Austin Area Foundation May 5. Baldus worked in restaurant management for 34 years and was the owner of Austin Culver’s Restaurant until he sold it in June of 1999. Soon after, he started at the chamber, an organization he’s enjoyed working with.

“It’s kind of bittersweet, because I really like everything that I do here and the people here,” he said his move to the foundation.

But, Baldus is excited for his new venture, and happy to leave his job in familiar hands.

“They’ll have a good team with Jeanine taking over for me,” he said.

“She’s outgoing, shed’s friendly, she’s born and raised here,” he added.

To Nelson, leaving US Bank wasn’t a traditional retirement. Instead, she’s following a new opportunity.

“I took it as a job change, not a retirement, because I’m not old enough to retire,” she said.

When she started as an ambassador, Nelson was one of very few female ambassadors, but Nelson has been glad to see more women become involved with the organization.

Nelson has lived in Austin most of her life. She and her husband have two children and a grandchild — all live in Austin. In her new role, Nelson will be in charge of attracting new members to the chamber and helping coordinate the chamber’s key events. Baldus has said he’ll still help organize this year’s Freedom Fest.

Nelson joked to her husband that she was ready for something new, but she wasn’t having a mid-life crisis.

“Like I told my husband, it’s better than going out and buying a corvette,” Nelson joked.