President/CEO
How long have you been
in the Chamber profession?
29 years
How long have you been in your current position?
21 years
What do you love most about your job?
It is important to me to believe that we can help make a difference in a community's future. I go to work every day asking myself, what we can do today, as a chamber, to improve the economic health of our community? I love having the opportunity to do that.
Tell us about your most embarrassing Chamber moment.
Are you kidding me? I've been at this 29 years! I can't even count the embarrassing moments, much less prioritize them, but there is one thing many of my most embarrassing moments have in common - I have either forgotten someone's name, or called someone the wrong name. Oh...and there was the time I asked the nice Chamber member when she was due.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career and how?
My first boss at the Brazos Valley Development Council in Bryan, Texas. He was dedicated to the 10 counties and 20 cities we served. He wanted to make a difference through his community development work, and he inspired me to want to do the same.
What is your Chamber's signature event?
The Chamber partners with three Rotary Clubs, the Home Builders Association of South Georgia and the Valdosta Board of REALTORS® to produce the annual State and Federal Legislative Lunches. We talk a great deal at our Chamber about the power of partnerships, and these collaborative activities are the best way to practice what we preach.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
We loved Norway and the UK, but our favorite is Texas - practically anywhere in Texas, but especially the Hill Country. In Georgia we love Jekyll Island.
Tell us about your family and what you like to do in your spare time...
Chet and I have been married since 1979 (I think it's going to work). We decided not to have children, but we always have at least two dogs (always rescues) and we have two ancient cats (19 next month). I love (like, really love) to read, and I like to work outdoors, keeping the wilderness beaten back on our five acres in the woods, where we live.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a small animal veterinarian. However, I discovered that vet school requires quite a bit of math...
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