FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2007
Contact Information:
John Hanson
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
770-567-2478
Tim Chason
The Chason Group, Inc.
404-735-0540

Karen Brown Chosen To Lead
Pike County Chamber of Commerce

The executive committee of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce has voted to employ Karen Brown as the new president of the business organization. Chamber chair John Hanson made the announcement on Friday, October 5.

Brown is currently serving as training and development director for the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce in southwest Florida. Her responsibilities in Pike County will include both chamber and economic development. The Development Authority of Pike County contracts with the chamber for professional services, including marketing and working with business prospects for the community.
“Bringing Karen to Pike County is a home run for this community,” according to Hanson. “She has experience in building relationships, marketing and working with small businesses. The executive committees of the chamber and development authority believe she has the skill sets to move our community to a new level of service to our members and in business growth.”

“Pike County is a dream-come-true for me,” says Brown. “I grew up in a rural community. I enjoy and respect the need to balance quality growth with job creation as well as the expansion of the tax base. The prospect of becoming intricately involved and lead economic development for a community is an exciting opportunity for me.”

Brown began her chamber career in Bonita Springs in 2000. Prior to moving to Florida, she worked in the insurance field as an expense coordinator. Brown is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management program in Athens, Georgia and attended Glassboro State College and Stockton State College, both in New Jersey.

In her Bonita Springs position, Brown provides oversight for Leadership Bonita, serves as a liaison for small business programs and initiatives, and coordinates the Voter Voice Grassroots Advocacy program for the chamber’s membership. The Bonita Springs organization is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber with a 24 member board of directors. The 5-Star recognition is designated by the US Chamber of Commerce. Only 1% of the chambers in the United States have reached the distinguished level of service.

“I am excited about working with the boards of both the chamber and development authority,” Brown said. “My strengths and those of the boards are very much aligned. I enjoy building teams, listening to issues and finding solutions. The success of the teams when tackling issues truly comes back to the community as a success, not individuals. I want to be a part of the success of Pike County.”

The search committee, led by John Edwards who serves as chair of the development authority, initiated the process of finding qualified candidates in July. Contacts were made around the country of chamber and economic development professionals seeking individuals with the skills sets that matched the community’s needs. The search committee received feedback from the membership of the chamber regarding key character traits they feel were most important for the new executive. Leadership, communications and organization skills were listed as the top characteristics desired. Other important traits included experience with a non-profit organization, charisma and decision-making skills. The feedback was gathered through an online survey.