FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2006
Contact Information:
Steven Purvis
Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce
706-635-7400
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Gilmer County Chamber Moving Forward
To Select New Professional

Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce leaders have begun the search for a president to lead the community’s top business organization. City and county government officials have put their support behind the position that will move the chamber to a new level, according to Steven Purvis, 2006 chair.

“Over the past several months, the board of directors has been building stronger relationships with the local elected officials and membership,” says Purvis. “We want a public-private partnership that will produce positive results for the community in terms of new jobs and an increased tax base. At the same time, we want to make sure the chamber is taking care of our existing businesses through value-added programs and services.”

The first step in the search process will be to listen to the membership and community about the key attributes a person in this position should possess. A position description will be developed for the president based on stakeholder interviews with key elected, appointed, community and business leaders. Previously, the title for the top paid staff professional for the organization was executive director. The lead volunteer for the chamber will hold the title of chair. This action is pending the approval of the board of directors later this month.

Statewide economic developers will also be interviewed to seek their input and support for the new position. The membership of the chamber will have the opportunity to participate in a web based survey for guidance on the top issues the president should address in the first several months in office.

“Our goal is to involve the community as much as possible in outlining the types of skills a person should hold in order to be a solid fit for the chamber position,” according to Purvis. “At the same time this is happening, advertisements and personal contacts will begin, seeking the most qualified candidates available. Gilmer County has an excellent opportunity for someone to build a career in the chamber profession.”

A weighting scale for the candidates will be a significant part of the selection process in determining how they match 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 be an extensive application that focuses on past experiences of the candidates and philosophies on issues ranging from membership development to economic development.

Will Beattie, 2007 chair of the chamber, will serve as the chair of the search committee. Other board members serving on the committee include Purvis, Kyle Ray, Paula Plumley, Melinda Hadden and Jamie Tallent.

“The support of the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners, City of Ellijay and City of East Ellijay has been tremendous over the past several years,” says Purvis. “When you add in the resources of the business community, the executive committee of the chamber feels we are on a successful path that will benefit everyone. The chamber’s mission is to promote, assist and encourage the commercial, industrial, agricultural, civic, social, economic, tourism and educational interests in the Gilmer County area. These will be priorities for the new paid professional.”

The chamber has nearly 500 members. A majority of the members are small businesses in the agricultural, professional and retail sectors.

Other members of the chamber’s board of directors include Jeff Dunn, Greg Burrell, Mark Chastain, Herman Clark, Mark Holden, Evan Marble, Gary Rogers, Kent Sanford, Scott Sharp and Sandie Sparks.

The Chason Group, Inc., of Cartersville, Georgia is assisting the chamber in the search for a president.