Onset Bay Association members approved the hiring of a paid Executive Director and welcomed board members for the 2011 season during its annual meeting Thursday, January 20, held at the Dudley Brown VFW in Onset.

Onset Bay Association member Theresa O'Neill will become Executive Director once she and the association finalize her six-month contract. O'Neill, who has been an OBA board member since April, will be charged with finding and securing additional grants for the nonprofit.

"If she does well, we do well," OBA outgoing president Mary Lou Payton told attendees of the meeting. "She's really proved herself."

O'Neill is responsible for bringing the Escape the Cape Triathlon and the carnival to Onset last summer. She also organized a mid-summer home tour.

O'Neill said she plans to "expand our marketing to the metro-Boston area" to bring more people to OBA events, to recruit more business members, and to secure public and private grants.

O'Neill will be paid $18 per hour and will work 15 hours per week, Payton said.

The organization also nominated a new president, secretary, and treasurer for its Board of Directors.

Eleanor Martin will take over for Payton as president. Payton, who has served as president for five years, is stepping down to spend more time with her newly-retired husband, Ed. She's not going far, however. She'll continue to serve as a board member.

Linda Lockwood will serve as the association's secretary, and Mary McCoy, who serves as clerk-treasurer for the Onset Fire District, accepted a nomination for treasurer of the organization. Cheryl Bagangan continues to serve as vice president.

In addition to Payton, Onset Bay Association board members for 2011 include: Mick Jones, Irene Crites, Winna Dean, Jenn Drinkwater, and Kat Jones.

For more information about the Onset Bay Association, visit www.onsetvillage.org.