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Megan Smith Named
President of Okeechobee County
Economic Development Corporation

Megan Smith

Okeechobee, Florida - Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation leaders have named their first president and chief executive officer.  Megan Smith is set to take the lead of the newly formed public-private partnership today, March 25.  The executive search for Smith was conducted by The Chason Group.

​“The board of directors has been very focused on finding the right professional to take the helm as the inaugural leader of the OCEDC,” according to Frank Irby, chair of the organization. “We believe Megan has the right skill sets to set our strategic plan in motion to prepare for job growth and improving the local economy.”  

Smith most recently served as vice president for business development at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Her key responsibilities included the development and implementation of a five-year strategic plan called Advantage Coastal Alabama (ACA).

For the complete announcement regarding Smith and information on the OCEDC, please click here.

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Georgia Department of Economic Development
​Names Two New Project Managers

Kirchner

Poole

The Georgia Department of Economic Development has named two new project managers to the Global Commerce Division. Fernanda Barella Kirchner has joined as a Project Manager on the International Investment team and Emily Poole is now the Regional Project Manager for Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment for the metro Atlanta area.   Mark Lytle and Tim Chason of The Chason Group led the talent searches for the GDEcD.

Kirchner has extensive international marketing experience through her work with Focus Brands and Newell Brands, both with operations in Atlanta. She has also served as a Light Commercial Vehicle Marketing Project Manager for Renault Trucks while living in Lyon, France.
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Poole has a solid background in economic development in the Atlanta region. She has served as Director, Economic Development for the City of Fayetteville; Vice President, Economic Development as well as Business Retention & Expansion Manager for the Fayette County Development Authority; and Director, Corporate & Foundation Partnerships for Clayton State University.

For the complete announcement and contact information for the two new GDEcD team members, please click here.   

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Based In Metro Atlanta
Henry County Chamber
​Initiates Search For President

Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce
​Kicks Off Search For President

The Henry County Chamber of Commerce (McDonough, Georgia) has initiated an executive search for a new president and chief executive officer.  David Gill, current leader of the business organization, is retiring in April 2019.  The Chason Group has been engaged by the chamber to lead the search.

Henry County is located 30 miles south of Atlanta. Interstate 75 is one of the prime economic engines for the community of 221,000 citizens. With over 700 members, the Chamber’s professional team of six staff members operate the Chamber as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau which is the Destination Marketing Organization for Henry County and the Cities of Hampton, Locust Grove and Stockbridge. 

The new executive should have at least five years of business experience or work with a non-profit organization; understand the role of a chamber in a community; proven track record of successful initiatives designed to improve the quality of life of a community or region; and communication skills in the areas of public speaking, listening, written documents, and social media.

Click here for a complete position announcement for the Henry County Chamber of Commerce.  

The business leaders of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce have kicked off their executive search for a president and chief executive officer.  The Chason Group is leading the initiative for the organization.  M.H. "Woody" Woodside is retiring in April 2019 from the position after serving the community for over 30 years.

The organization was established in 1954 and serves as the voice of business for Glynn County, Georgia. With over 1,200 members and an annual operating budget of $650,000, the chamber plays a significant role in shaping the community’s economy through advocacy on the local, regional, state and federal levels. The chamber has a staff of five professionals in addition to the president.

​Candidates should be a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute of Organization Management or have at least 10 years of successful chamber of commerce management in a leadership role with a minimum of two years of Chamber Institute completed.
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Click here for a complete position announcement for the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce.

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Three New Executive Searches Kick Off 2019

Central Florida
Team Volusia
Seeking EVP For
Public/Private Partnership

Greater Daytona Region, Florida -  Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation is seeking an economic development professional to serve as the organization’s executive vice president.  The Chason Group is leading the executive search.

Team Volusia, a public/private not-for-profit corporation founded in late 2010 with approximately 100 investors, has the primary mission of marketing and recruiting business from outside the area.  With the growth of the organization and economy in the area, TVEDC’s leadership has strategically developed an executive vice president position that will report direct to the President and CEO, Keith A. Norden, CEcD, who  has served in the top position since 2012.  Key responsibilities for the newly created EVP seat will include growing the local economy through attraction and recruitment of new companies to Volusia County; maintaining a transparent and accurate communication plan for internal and external efficiency; and providing oversight, accountability and strategy for TVEDC staff members to enhance the overall success of the organization.
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For a complete position announcement click here.  

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Central Georgia
Dublin-Laurens Development Authority Search For President

​Dublin, Georgia - The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority has launched an executive search for a president to lead economic development initiatives in the central Georgia community.  The Chason Group is assisting members of the development authority with the process.

Centrally located between Georgia's port city of Savannah and Atlanta, Dublin-Laurens County has both the product and leadership in place for economic development projects.  Corporate citizens like YKK AP America, Flexsteel Industries, Parker Aerospace, Best Buy, Erdrich USA and P-D Valmiera Glass USA have significant operations in the community.  A 2,000-acre industrial park in Dublin-Laurens County, the Heart of Georgia Mega Site, is designed for the development of large-scale facilities, such as warehouses, manufacturing and distribution centers.  The site has been recognized as the first dual certified Mega site/Super park in the nation. 
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For a complete position announcement click here.  

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North Georgia
Cumming-Forsyth Adding Project Manager,
​Existing Industry

Cumming, Georgia - The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is seeking an economic development project manager to focus on existing industries in Forsyth County, Georgia.  The chamber has chosen The Chason Group to lead the talent search.
 
Since the inception of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce in 1954, the purpose has remained the same: increase prosperity and promote and better community life for all.  Forsyth County is recognized as one of the fastest growing areas in the United States.  The 2016 Census estimate indicates approximately 221,000 citizens live in the county.  
 
The project manager, existing industry will focus on pursuing and obtaining commercial and industrial development for the Forsyth County economy which includes working with economic development contacts to provide all information necessary in regards to projects seeking expansion opportunity in Forsyth County
 
For a complete position announcement for the project manager, existing industry, please click here.  

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Okeechobee County, FL Forms & Funds Public-Private Partnership; Seeking President to Lead Initiative

Public and private partners in Okeechobee County, Florida have launched an executive search for a president to lead the newly formed and funded Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation. The Chason Group is facilitating the search.

Okeechobee County is located in Florida’s Heartland region and approximately 70 miles from West Palm Beach.  Easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico provide an excellent quality of life for citizens and thriving markets for businesses.

The new president of the corporation will have an opportunity to build an economic program from ground-up.  The first year’s focus will be directed toward developing a community industrial park, working with site selection consultants, educating the general public about the mission of the corporation, and implementing a multi-discipline program to include workforce development initiatives.  

​For a complete position announcement, please click here.  

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Andy Williams Named Executive Director of Visit Roswell

Andy Williams

Roswell, Georgia – Visit Roswell, the convention and visitors bureau for the suburban city north of Atlanta, will have a new leader with the start of 2019.  Andy Williams, a recognized star in the industry, has been named Executive Director of the organization effective January 1.  The Chason Group led the executive search for the new director.

Williams is currently Director of Sales for Destination South Meetings + Events, a DMC Network Company, which is based in Atlanta.  He is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) through the Events Industry Council and a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) through the Southeast Tourism Society.  

​A graduate of Young Harris College with an Associate of Science degree and Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science:  Tourism & Commercial Recreation, Williams began his tourism career as a Project Coordinator with the Madison-Morgan Convention and Visitors Bureau in Madison, Georgia in 2007.  In 2011, he became a Sales Manager for the Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he later became Director of Sales

For the complete press release, please click here.

Fayette County Chamber Names Colin Martin
​President and Chief Executive Officer

Colin Martin

Fayetteville, Ga. - Fayette County Chamber of Commerce leaders have chosen Colin T. Martin to lead the business organization as president and chief executive officer.  The Chason Group led the executive search for the chamber. 

​Martin has experience in many arenas, including large and small chambers of commerce. He currently serves as president of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce in west Georgia and has also guided governmental affairs for the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, both as a volunteer and staff member.

For the complete press release and Martin's new contact information, please click here.  For information on current and upcoming searches, please click here.

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Georgia Department of Economic Development
Seeking Project Managers for Positions Based in Atlanta

Atlanta, Ga. - The Georgia Department of Economic Development has partnered with The Chason Group to identify qualified candidates for two Project Manager positions which will be based in metro Atlanta.  The Project Manager, International Investment  will be working with international companies who are considering expanding into the U.S. and will assist them as they evaluate Georgia as a potential location for their investments.   The individual must have a bi-cultural skill set, strong sense of diplomacy, and the ability to respond effectively to a prospect’s issues through training and research.

The Regional Project  Manager - Region 3  will  be  responsible for business development efforts targeting existing companies and prospective businesses in a ten county region of metro Atlanta. The successful candidate’s primary goal will be to assist existing Georgia companies with facility expansions in partnership with state, local and other officials.

​For more information on the positions, please click here.

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Savannah Economic Development Authority names
Matt Poyner as Vice President of Business Development

Matt Poyner

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Savannah Economic Development Authority has announced that Matt Poyner has been named Vice President of Business Development. Poyner, who will begin on October 8, will lead business recruitment initiatives for the authority.  The executive search was conducted by The Chason Group, a Georgia-based executive search firm specializing in economic development, chambers of commerce, foundations and other non-profit organizations.

​“Matt brings with him strong relationships, a cadre of contacts and successful experiences in economic development,” said SEDA President and CEO Trip Tollison.  “Matt will be a vital part of our strategy of marketing and selling the Savannah region. In addition to new growth, he will be responsible for maintaining relationships with existing companies to keep current investments in the region.”  

For the complete press release and Poyner's new contact information, please click here.  For information on current and upcoming searches, please click here.

Douglas County EDA Selects Jonathan Lupo
to Serve as Director of Business Recruitment

Jonathan Lupo

The Douglas County Economic Development Authority continues to strengthen their team with the selection of Jonathan Lupo to serve as director of business recruitment.  The announcement was made this week by Chris Pumphrey, executive director of the organization.  The Chason Group conducted the talent search for the authority.
 
Lupo currently serves as an international project manager with the Louisiana Office of International Commerce, a position he has held since January 2015.

"The strategic plan developed by the development authority last year was the impetus for the addition of another experienced economic development professional to join the Douglas County team,” according to Pumphrey.  “Jonathan brings a level of expertise that includes project management, a clear understanding of industry sectors and a business acumen that is crucial for the position and our approach to economic development.”  

For the complete announcement and Lupo's new contact information, please click here.

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City of Perry, GA Appoints Ashley Hardin
​as Economic Development Director

Ashley Hardin

Perry’s mayor and city council have selected an experienced professional to serve as economic development director. Ashley Hardin, currently a Shawnee, Kansas resident, will start her new role on October 9.  The Chason Group led the executive search for the city.

“Ashley has the skill sets, experience and proven track record we were looking for in a professional to lead economic development for the city of Perry,” according to Mayor Jimmy Faircloth. “I believe she will be a great asset to our community’s team when recruiting new businesses to the area and, most importantly, to the existing employers who have made Perry what we are today.” 

For the complete announcement, please click here.

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