Chamber Committees
Members of the Chairman's Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman's Council members are invited to attend Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings, New Member Coffees and special invitation Chamber meetings that aren't open to the general membership. The Chairman's Council meets on an as needed basis throughout the year.
2013 Chairman's Council Members
Aimee Abernathy, City of Waleska
Lori Baker, Next Step Ministries, Inc.
Hugh Beavers, Community Bank & Trust
Kathy Bouyett, Reinhardt University
Dana Callan, Bank of North Georgia - Woodstock
Benny Carter, Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council
Doug Fountain, First Citizens Bank
Janie Gulick, Fauxbelle of Gulick Designs
Carolyn Hall, Scentsy/Wickfree Candles
Hannah Harwood, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Alison Higgins, Northside Hospital - Cherokee
Michelle Meek, My Community Monthly Magazines/ Footprints Publishing
Jeff Mitchell, United Community Bank
Sam Naff, The Crown Business Group, LLC
Russ Phillips, New England Financial - The Georgia Group
Charlie Smiley, Individual
Alan Thompson, MOJO Productions, Inc.
Susan Thornton, SERVPRO of Cherokee County
Beau Varnadoe, National Financial Services Group
John West, Express Impressions
Susan White, Sequoyah Regional Library System
Katie Wise, LGE Community Credit Union
Amy Worley, Barco Disaster Response
Farris Yawn, Yawn's Books & More
Stan Zawisza, S & J Environmental Products
Contact Nichole Parks for more information.
The Education Committee overseas a variety of initiatives to build and enhance relationships between businesses and local schools. They promote the Partners in Education program which is highlighted by our Partners in Excellence awards in May as well as recognize retiring educators and administrators in the Cherokee County School District (CCSD), honor CCSD Teachers of the Year and coordinate items for an assembly of welcome bags for new teachers in Chamber member private schools and the CCSD. The Education Committee meets throughout the year at both at the Chamber while also visiting local schools to gain the current pulse of education in Cherokee County.
The goal of the Chamber's Partners In Education (PIE) program is to provide support to students in Cherokee County. Currently, through the PIE program, more than 200 businesses are working with local schools to enhance the educational opportunities of students.
Partnering can take many forms, and range from monetary contributions to volunteer support. A partnership can be as simple as agreeing to read to a kindergarten class or as in depth as raising money to help build a new school playground. All activities of businesses and schools should meet educationally sound goals that have been established by both parties through a "Partnership Agreement."
Partner Perks:
Each May outstanding partners are recognized at the Chamber's Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast. Awards are given to partners and schools that demonstrate continued dedication to students in Cherokee County.
The PARTNERS e-newsletter is distributed quarterly to provide Chamber Member Businesses, partner schools, and education committee liaisons with information about current events, new partnership ideas, education committee meeting dates, and much more. Click here to view the most current copy of Partnership Spotlight.
PIE is a joint venture between the Cherokee County School District and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Amy Blanton for more information or for details on meetings of this committee.
Whether your company is already Going Green, or you are interested in learning more about this environmental initiative, join forces with other local businesses in Growing a Greener Cherokee County “Where Metro Meets the Mountains, and More Than the Grass is Green”. The Going Green Committee recognizes Chamber Member companies for their positive impact on the environment while also addressing business, consumer, and student environmental education.
The Governmental Affairs Council promotes the Chamber’s annual Legislative Agenda, tracks business legislation and collaborates with elected officials. The Council also coordinates the annual Cherokee Day at the Capitol, Elected Officials Appreciation Reception, Annual Legislative Survey and Legislative Appreciation Dinner.
Contact Pam Carnes for more information or for details on meetings of this committee.
The Workforce Development Council is comprised of Chamber Member business leaders from a variety of business sectors. The council oversees the middle school career fairs, the business expo and ResuMay Day, a free event open to the public where volunteers are on-site to both review and assist in the development of resumes.
Career Fairs:
Through the Chamber's partnership agreement with the Cherokee County School District, career fairs are coordinated for the District's 8th grade students. Held in April, each event highlights a wide range of careers available through the school district's pathway curriculum concept. The six pathways include: Health & Medical; Arts, Communication & Humanities; Business, IT & Marketing; Architecture, Construction, Transportation, Engineering & Industrial Systems; Agri-Science & Environmental; Education, Family, Social and Human Services
Business Expo:
Held in August, this annual event provided Chamber members the opportunity to showcase their business.
ResuMay Day:
The Chamber's Workforce Development Council is hosting ResuMay Day on May 10th. In collaboration with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Georgia Department of Labor, Goodwill Industries, MUST Ministries as well as Chattahoochee Technical College and Reinhardt University, volunteers will be on-hand to both review and assist in the development of resumes. ResuMay Day is open to the public and is free of charge.
