FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2007
Contact Information:
Gene Lee
Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce
770-382-1466
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber
Members, Search Committee Identify Key
Characteristics For New President

The search committee for a new president and chief executive officer of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce has identified the key characteristics they are looking for in a new business executive to lead the 1,400 plus member organization.

Communication skills, including listening, speaking and writing, was the number one character trait identified by the membership as a key quality needed for the new paid professional. Leadership and visionary were the second and third leading traits mentioned by the chamber membership through an online survey conducted last month.

“The search committee has made this a very inclusive process for our membership,” says Gene Lee, incoming chair of the chamber and chair of the search process. “The survey of the membership last month has produced some very important results for the committee and the new president. It has also given us several areas that can be a part of our strategic plan for the future.”

Seventy-four percent of the members responding to the survey chose communication as the top personal attribute needed in a president. Leadership followed at sixty-six percent and visionary was next in line at forty-three percent. Other characteristics the search committee will be looking for, based on the feedback from the membership, will be organization abilities and a decision-maker.

Over 20 local leaders and active chamber members were interviewed personally to seek their input on the important characteristic traits candidates should possess. According to Lee, communication, leadership and business acumen ranked at the top of the list for those interviewed.

The next step in the search process will be the acceptance of applications for the position. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience in a leadership position in business or non-profit organization. Also, applicants should have a minimum of five years experience in a leadership position at a chamber of commerce or a related field, with increasing responsibilities.

Several skill set requirements have also been developed by the search committee. Some include: ability to communicate with volunteers, general public, professional staff and news media; proven track record of building successful, lasting relationships as a leader; knowledge of economic and community development; clear understanding of how businesses operate and their needs for success; and experience as a leader of a professional staff.

The position for the president has been posted on professional websites with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Georgia Economic Developers Association and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. Personal contacts with potential candidates will also be a significant part of the effort to solicit resumes.

“Finding the right person to lead this community’s business organization is more important than a timeline,” says Lee. “We are looking for a qualified individual who is prepared to take the organization to the next level over the next five years. There is plenty of work to be done to add value to our members’ investments. We will be looking to this person to accomplish this goal and others.”

A weighting scale for the candidates will be part of the selection process in determining how the person matches the needs of the community and position. The input from the interviews will determine the weighting of the skill sets for candidates. Another part of the selection process will include an extensive application that focuses on past experiences of the candidates and philosophies on issues ranging from membership to community development.

In addition to Lee as chair, members of the search committee include: Paul Battles of Crescent of Bank, Parnick Jennings of Parnick Jennings Funeral Home, Chris King of Media Graphics, Tracy Lewis of FastTrak Delivery and Warehousing, Bill McMullen of Georgia Power Company, Greg Patton of Northside Bank, and Randy Thompson of Thompson Auto Sales.

The new professional will replace Molly Grover who announced her resignation in mid-November to accept a chamber president’s position in Iowa.

The Chason Group, Inc., of Cartersville is assisting the chamber in the search for a president. Tim Chason, president of the company, served as the executive of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce from 1983 until 1993. He also served in various executive capacities with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, including chief operating officer, from 1993 until 2003 when he started his own business. The Chason Group provides strategic planning and executive search services for business and non-profit organizations.