FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2007
Contact Information:
Jim Yarborough
Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce
706-335-1102
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Jackson County Area Chamber Search Committee Reviewing Candidates’ Qualifications for President

The search committee for a new professional to lead the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce is narrowing their field of candidates. Thirty candidates applied for the president’s position prior to the deadline on July 18 and the field will be narrowed within the next week.

“The search committee will be interviewing three to five candidates for the position based upon the qualifications established early in the process,” according to Jeff Blair of Hamilton State Bank, co-chair of the committee. “We will also be using the character traits our membership has indicated they want in a new president as criteria to determine who should be interviewed later this month.”

Nine of the candidates providing resumes are from Georgia, three from Florida, three from South Carolina; and two each from Indiana, Maryland and Texas. Other states represented in the mix include California, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Applications seeking detailed information were sent to each of the candidates in late July. The applications and their resumes, as well as personal interviews, are being used as guides to determine which candidates will be asked to meet with the search committee. “The process of a search for the new president has been extremely inclusive of the membership and community leaders,” says Blair. “The real work will now take place as we begin to narrow the field even more.”

“Our committee is very open to the type of candidate we feel will best suit the chamber at this time,’ says Steve Schingler of Havertys and co-chair of the committee. “The membership told us through a survey that they were looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a great understanding of business and the ability to work as a team player with local governments. We are also looking at someone who has an understanding of economic development and can rapidly establish a network of contacts.”

The chamber plans to employ the president within the next 45 days. Following the selection of the top leader, a search committee will be established to employ a vice president of economic development for the organization. The president will be expected to spend more of his or her time focused on a vision for the community and organization.

Through the survey, the membership provided the search committee with feedback on the key areas of focus for the new leaders. Infrastructure growth, government-business cooperation and economic development top the list of items needing attention.

A position description was developed early in the process for the new president. The minimum education and experience requirements for the seat include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience in a leadership position in business or another non-profit organization. Also, a minimum of five years in a leadership position at a chamber of commerce or related field with increasing responsibilities was recommended.

Advertisements for the position were posted on various industry websites, including the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and Southern Economic Development Council. Personal contacts have also been made with potential candidates throughout the country as a part of the search process.

In addition to Blair and Schingler, other members of the search committee include: Keith Ariail, McDonald Hardware; Pat Bell, Jackson County Board of Commissioners; David Bockman, consultant; Eddie Cartee, Huber Engineered Woods LLC; Mayor Buzzie Hardy, City of Commerce; Keith Johnson, Randstad Work Solutions; Scott Martin, Jackson EMC; Sam McDuffie, First Georgia Banking Co.; Gina Mitsdarffer, J & K Utilities; Roy Stowe, Jackson EMC; and Jim Yarborough of BJC Medical Center.

The Chason Group, a consulting firm focusing on executive searches and strategic planning for chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, is assisting the committee in the process.

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The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, volunteer business organization that serves as the voice of the business community of the Jackson County area. The members of the Chamber of Commerce address a range of issues on a daily basis in an effort to enhance the quality of life and business opportunities available to the citizens of this region of Georgia. This is done in collaboration with government leaders from Jackson County, its nine municipalities, the State of Georgia and the federal government. Through economic development, education, governmental relations and the delivery of member services, the Chamber strives to accomplish its goal of developing leaders and building a community with a high quality of life and opportunities for the future.