St. Simons Land Trust Announces Search For New Leader

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The Chason Group, Inc. has been engaged to lead an executive search for a professional to serve as executive director of the St. Simons Land Trust based in St. Simons Island, Georgia.  Tim Chason and Randy Cardoza are working with the organization’s leadership to coordinate the search.

Organized in 2001 by community visionaries, SSLT’s mission is to preserve the island's natural and scenic character and to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Like more than 1,600 land trusts across the country, SSLT works with willing property owners to preserve their land using tools that include: conservation easements, donations of land and outright purchases of land through tax advantaged "bargain sales."

The executive director of SSLT is responsible for leading and directing all aspects of the Land Trust, including managing finances, overseeing fundraising, communications, land stewardship, managing and leading staff, and building positive working relationships with the board of directors, community, stakeholders and donors.  

For a complete position announcement, please click here.

Okefenokee Swamp Park Seeking Executive Director

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The Board of Trustees of the Okefenokee Swamp Park is seeking a professional who has the ability to build upon the stewardship and educational foundation of North America’s largest blackwater swamp and to take the Park to the next level. The board has retained the services of The Chason Group (www.thechasongroup.com) to lead this executive search.

The swamp, which is a part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, is a 700 square mile watershed in the United States located in the southeastern corner of the state of Georgia, along the Florida/Georgia border.

The executive director will have several key responsibilities, including: staffing and leadership of the operations; serving as the key spokesperson for OSP; developing and implementing strategic goals mutually agreed upon by the Board of Trustees; and working as a development officer to increase funding for the organization. Key character traits required for the position are excellent communication skills – written, verbal and social media; proven leadership abilities; and a true commitment to environmental education.

For the complete position announcement, please click here. 

Ryan Waldrep to Serve as President of
Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority

PictureRyan Waldrep, CEcD
Dublin, Georgia - The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority board of directors has selected Ryan Waldrep to serve as president of the economic development organization. His first day on the job will be Monday, June 17. The Chason Group was retained by the authority to lead the executive search.

Waldrep currently serves as assistant director, entrepreneur and small business and regional project manager, existing industry and regional recruitment for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, positions he has held since January 2015 and October 2007 respectively. He is recognized by the International Economic Development Council as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a rigorous program that acknowledges professionals from around the world who have achieved the pinnacle of excellence in the economic development field.
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For the complete announcement and Waldrep's new contact information, please click here.  

Savannah Economic Development Authority
​Seeking Business Development Project Manager

Savannah, Georgia - The Chason Group, Inc. has been  engaged to conduct a talent search for a  professional to serve as a Business  Development Project Manager for the Savannah Economic  Development Authority.  The project manager will be responsible for facilitating and managing site location projects and existing industry expansions, from initial contact, research, proposals, presentations and prospect visits.   SEDA is an independently funded  organization that is responsible for creating,  growing and attracting jobs and investment to the  Savannah-Chatham County region.   For more information  regarding the talent search process, please click here.  The deadline for materials to be submitted is June 27, 2019. The anticipated start date for the position is  August  2019.


​Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber Names Alex Warner Project Manager, Existing Industry
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Alex Warner
Cumming, Georgia - The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce has named Alex Warner as project manager, existing industry for the business organization. The announcement was made by Robert Long, vice president of economic development for the chamber. The Chason Group led the talent search.

Warner is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor's degree in economics. The existing industry position is new for the chamber and a result of the recent economic development strategy established through a partnership with the Forsyth County Development Authority, Forsyth County and City of Cumming. The chamber provides economic development services for the community and serves as the lead contact for existing Forsyth County businesses and new companies looking to expand their footprints.

For the complete announcement and Warner's new contact information, please click here. To learn how The Chason Group team can assist your organization with executive search services, please click here.

Henry County Development Authority Initiates
​Search For Economic Development Professional

McDonough, Georgia - The Henry County Development Authority has retained The Chason Group to provide executive search services for the economic development organization.  The search is focused on a professional to serve as executive director.

Henry County, Georgia is located 30 miles south of Atlanta.  Interstate 75 is one of the prime economic engines for the community of 225,000 citizens.  The county is a part of the Atlanta MSA and only twenty minutes away from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Henry County has become a high growth area for business in the southeastern United States.  Economic development experience, proven leadership and communication skills, and expertise in marketing to businesses who are considering a new location or expansion are all important character traits required of the executive director’s position.  

For a complete position announcement, please click here.  

Ralph Staffins III Chosen to Lead
Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce

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Ralph Staffins III
Brunswick, Georgia - After a nationwide executive search, the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has chosen Ralph Staffins III to lead the business organization as president and chief executive officer.  His first day at the chamber will be June 1.

Current chamber leader Milton H. “Woody” Woodside, having served in the important role since 1985, is retiring this month.

​Staffins is serving as president and chief executive officer of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce in Covington, Georgia, located about 30 miles east of Atlanta.  He has led the chamber of commerce, economic development office, main street program and tourism for the community since 2015.  In 2018, under Staffins’ guidance, the chamber was awarded the 4-Star Certification by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, one of the highest designations afforded to chambers of commerce.  Only the top three percent of chambers in the country have such a designation.

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

Henry County Chamber of Commerce Selects Joseph Henning For President and Chief Executive Officer Position

​McDonough, Georgia - The Henry County Chamber of Commerce has selected Joseph Henning as the new president and chief executive officer of the business organization.  He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce in Aurora, Illinois, a position he has held since 2005. 
 
Current chamber president and chief executive officer David Gill, who has led the organization since 2012, announced his retirement several months ago and will be working with Henning through the transition process.
 
Henning served as chair of the National Board of Trustees for the US Chamber Institute for Organization Management in 2016-17 and continues as an instructor for classes throughout the country.  The Institute is renowned as the leading training program for chamber executives.  He is also recognized as the catalyst behind the Aurora Regional Chamber achieving the highest award in the industry with a five-star accreditation distinction by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2012 and re-affirmed in 2017.

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

Heather Shubirg Named Executive Vice President
​of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation

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Heather Shubirg
Daytona Beach, Florida - After a national search, Heather Shubirg, a professional in the economic development arena, has been named executive vice president at Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation. The announcement was made by Keith Norden, president and chief executive officer of the organization. The Chason Group  led the executive search for Team Volusia.

Shubirg previously was on the Orlando Economic Partnership team as senior director of business development in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. She also worked with Enterprise Florida within the business development group.  Enterprise Florida is the public private partnership responsible for leading statewide economic development efforts.
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In concert with Norden and other Team Volusia EDC staff, Shubirg’s key responsibilities 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 Team Volusia to enhance the overall success of the organization.

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

Megan Smith Named
President of Okeechobee County
Economic Development Corporation
PictureMegan 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.

Georgia Department of Economic Development
​Names Two New Project Managers

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Kirchner
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Poole
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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.   

Andy Williams Named Executive Director of Visit Roswell

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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

PictureColin 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.

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

PictureJonathan 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.

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

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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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 The Chason Group, Inc.   |   Cartersville, GA 30120   |   404.735.0540   |   tchason@thechasongroup.com