FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2008
Contact Information:
Dallas Hunt
Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce
229-382-6200
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Fifteen Candidates Vie For Tift-Tifton County Chamber President’s Position

Fifteen professionals from six states have applied for the president’s position with the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.  The candidates have a variety of backgrounds and most have experience in the economic development arena.  Members of the search committee plan to interview several of the candidates within the next few weeks.

“The search committee is extremely pleased with the response for the position,” according to Dallas Hunt, chair of the committee.  “Our goal all along has been to attract high level candidates for the job and I believe we are right on track to finding a great leader for the chamber and community.”

The candidates are from Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, and West Virginia.  Thirteen of the fifteen applicants have direct experience in the chamber of commerce and/or economic development fields.  Two other candidates have extensive business backgrounds in the private sector.

Resumes were generated from advertisements and contacts with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Georgia Economic Developers Association, and The Chason Group, an executive consulting firm leading the search.

The key responsibilities of the president include:  provide vision, leadership and continuity for the organization - internally and externally; serve as the lead economic and community development business marketer for Tifton and Tift County; develop, with the assistance of the membership and Board of Directors, an annual or longer strategic vision that complements the mission statement; establish financial stability and accountability for the organization; represent the chamber in matters that corresponds with the mission; serve as the spokesperson for the organization; and provide public relations support to the community through various ways.

The minimum education and experience requirements for the position include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and three years experience in a leadership position at a chamber of commerce, economic development organization or related field.  The president must also reside in the Tift County area.

“We are on target as far as selecting a qualified professional to lead the chamber and our community’s economic development initiatives,” says Hunt.  “Our goal is to have a new president on board in late May or early June.  This process is very thorough in identifying the type of person we want for the position; seeking input from the community and chamber members; and tying that information back to our position description and detailed application.  The interviews over the next several weeks will allow the search committee an opportunity to speak personally with the candidates and see how well they communicate.   We also plan to learn more about their professional approach to economic development. “

Each of the candidates received and completed an extensive application in mid-March.  The application is designed to allow the committee to learn more about personal and professional character traits of the individuals.  Other sections of the application asked questions about community visioning, economic development strategies, building relationships with elected officials, and previous business successes.

The chamber has a membership base of 640.  The organization is the economic development marketing arm for the community. 

Other members of the Search Committee include:  Lawton Bassett,  Ameris; William Bowen, Bowen Farms; Bennie Branch, Kelley Manufacturing Company; David Bridges of ABAC; Homer Day, Professional Court Services; Carla Hall, WorkSmart; Mark Hand, Turner Distribution; Dave Hetzel, Councilman for City of Tifton; Julie Hunt, JH Services; Lynn Lovett, Georgia Power Company; Cal McMillan, First Community Bank; Jack Perry, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce; John Prince, Prince Chevrolet; Buck Rigdon, Commissioner for Tift County; Greg Sowell, Sowell, Sandifer, & Richbourg; Beverly Sterling, Plant Telecommunications; and Shawn Utley, Moultrie Tech.  Ex-officio members of the committee include Patrick Atwater, Superintendent, Tift County School System; Jim Carter, County Manager for Tift County Board of Commissioners; Jamie Cater, Mayor of City of Tifton; Grady Thompson, Commissioner for Tift County; and Mike Vollmer, City Manager for City of Tifton.

The Chason Group, based in Cartersville, Georgia, is assisting the committee with the search.  Tim Chason, president of the company, served for ten years as President of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce and ten years as Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  He has conducted successful executive level searches in several communities across the state including Cumming-Forsyth County, Jackson County, Thomaston-Upson County, and Cartersville-Bartow County.