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22.11.2024 19:22 Age: 20 hrs

BREAKING NEWS: CHANGE IN CHAMBER LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED

 

Moving On...

At today's Annual Retreat of the Chamber Board of Directors, I announced that my last day with the Chamber will be February 28, 2025. Twenty years ago, this community took a significant chance in selecting me as the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer. I cannot express enough gratitude for your continued support of both me and the Chamber. I am extremely proud of our efforts that have made our Chamber nationally recognized for excellence.

Since 2005, I have had the privilege of working with many of you to achieve significant outcomes:

  • Created the first dedicated Economic Development Department, which has aided over 450 firms, generating 30,000 new jobs and over $2.12 billion in new capital investment since its inception.
  • Established a new, professionally driven Department of Tourism Development, resulting in over 50,000 room night leads and more than $40 million in visitor spending.
  • Successfully led five initiatives to secure voter approval for $2 billion in public funding for education, transportation, and parks.
  • Secured enabling legislation and facilitated the creation of the “South Forsyth Community Improvement District” to enhance commercial property values and create new jobs.
  • Achieved recognition as a national finalist for “Chamber of the Year” in 2020 and 2021, highlighting the Chamber’s support of local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am excited to share that I will be joining The Chason Group, a Georgia-based consulting firm that primarily serves chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, foundations, and other community development entities.

On a personal level, this move will enable me to continue serving Forsyth County in ways that were previously not possible while working at the Chamber. Professionally, it presents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with my long-time friend and mentor, Tim Chason, along with his outstanding team, which includes former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Randy Cardoza, and former Vice Chancellor for Economic Development for the Board of Regents, Mark Lytle. This is a rare chance to work with and learn from these leaders in economic development.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Chamber CEO. Thank you for this incredible opportunity; it has truly been the greatest blessing of my life.

A New Chamber Leader on the Horizon...

I am also extremely proud and excited to announce that the Chamber Board has unanimously elected our Vice President of Economic Development, Alex Warner, to serve as the new Chamber CEO starting March 3, 2025. Alex is a remarkable leader with an exceptional strategic mind and a world-class work ethic. Over the next few months, there will be several opportunities to meet Alex and learn more about his vision for the Chamber (more information will be shared soon). He has been involved in some of Forsyth County’s most important development and business expansion projects and is highly respected throughout Georgia. Alex is a creative and thoughtful leader who will elevate the Chamber to new heights. I will be here cheering him on!

Between now and the end of February, I hope to have the chance to express my gratitude in person. If we miss each other, please know that I am profoundly thankful for the last 20 years. I will continue to be a resident, homeowner, and taxpayer of Forsyth County, and I look forward to working with many of you on new and exciting endeavors!

Onward, 

James

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