CANTON, GA (January 24, 2025) – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce reflected on 2024 while announcing 2025 primary goals during the organization’s 54th Annual Meeting held Friday, January 24. Sponsored by Northside Hospital Cherokee, the event featured Professor of Economics & Henssler Financial Endowed Chair at Kennesaw State University, Roger Tutterow, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker.

In the changing of the guard, Outgoing Board Chair, Eric Rein, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank, passed the gavel to 2025 Chair Neil Blackman, Principal, Corblu Ecology Group, LLC.

In sharing 2024 successes, outgoing Chair Rein announced, “Programming this past year focused on topics from Cherokee County’s affordable housing challenges to the role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in regulating stream and wetland impacts, to preparing your business for disaster and an overview of fraud and cybersecurity.  Leadership Cherokee and Teen Leadership Cherokee continued to see record numbers of applicants and the entrepreneurial spirit that is well known in Cherokee County was evident as third through fifth grade students participated in the National Lemonade Day program through the generosity of a grant from the Mott Foundation.  Eighth grade students were educated by Chamber members on careers and future employment opportunities in Cherokee County.  All these efforts, along with dozens of others coordinated by the Chamber totaled 84 events, with attendance by members and future members surpassing the 4,790 mark.  These programs, events and initiatives were promoted through a variety of marketing efforts including our social media – Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  Through the likes and shares of the combined 10,068 followers on these three platforms, promotion focusing on Chamber coordinated efforts was viewed by over 265,000 people during the past year! The Keep it Local campaign’s ongoing effort that encouraged “whatever we do, keep it local” took social media by storm with over 15,000 views across the same three platforms”.

Incoming Board Chair Blackman shared that in 2025, as in 2024, the Chamber Board of Directors and Staff will continue to carry out the Chamber’s Vision and Mission while focusing on the organization’s primary goals which are to connect leaders, create business growth opportunities, cultivate member-to-member relationships, enhance member benefits & existing programs, while increasing the organizations net membership. “In 2025 the Chamber is blending the initiatives and missions of the previous Education Committee and Workforce Development Council resulting in the creation of the E3 Committee whose mission is to Educate, Employ and Engage Cherokee County’s existing and future workforce, while cultivating relationships between individuals, businesses, and schools.  Efforts focusing on the energy of our over 730 Leadership Cherokee Alumni were formulated in 2024 through a task force of graduates who in 2025 will provide opportunities for cultivation of new relationships through connections with fellow graduates.  The Chamber’s Keep It Local campaign, which includes the tagline ‘Whatever You Do’ will continue to evolve in 2025.  Whether that means purchasing products, utilizing services, or being a tourist right here at home in Cherokee County, the Chamber encourages you to Keep it Local,” announced Chairman Blackman.

Those volunteers recognized for completing their service on the Chamber Board included Mark Goddard, Cobb EMC; Jeff Rusbridge, Dyer Rusbridge Argo Law Firm; Jennifer Stanley, Northside Hospital Cherokee; Trey Ragsdale, Kaiser Permanente; and Jay Street, Automated Solutions Consulting Group. Serving an unexpired term on the Board since December 2023 was David Simmons, Chattahoochee Technical College.

The following volunteers are beginning a three-year term on the Chamber Board of Directors: Lisa Arrington, Mary Kay Cosmetics; Jason Blakey, Credit Union of Georgia; Mandy Chapman, Roytec Industries; Naceo Denney, Georgia Power Company; Dominique Louis, Cherokee Angel Senior Care; Lindsey Shrout, Northside Hospital Cherokee and Jud Waites, Waites Law Firm. “These new Board members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. I look forward to serving alongside these volunteers along with those who will continue to serve on the Chamber Board as we work collaboratively to meet the Chamber’s mission,” shared Chairman Blackman.

Among the awards presented was the Annual First Citizen of Cherokee County recognition that was bestowed upon Cherokee County resident John W. Blend, III. “The Cherokee County Chamber is honored to name John W. Blend, III as the 50th recipient of the prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award. The judges did an outstanding job in selecting him,” remarked Mr. Blackman.

Additional accolades went to Southeast Restoration Group, the 2025 Excellence in Customer Service Award winner; Enjoy Magazine, Inc., the 2025 Small Business of the Year; MUST Ministries, the 2025 Non-Profit of the Year; and Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling was named the 2025 Family-Owned Business of the Year. All award recipients were chosen by out-of-town judges just as the First Citizen is selected. The 2024 Chairman’s Council “Joan McFather Volunteer of the Year Award” was presented to Paul Seals with the Office of U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk, as he best-exemplified on-going dedication throughout the past year as a Chamber Ambassador while contributing dozens of volunteer hours on the Chairman’s Council. This award, bearing the name of longtime Chamber volunteer Joan McFather, has been given in her name since her untimely passing in 2019.

The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber, is to promote business to expand the economy and enrich the community. To learn more about the Chamber, visit CherokeeChamber.com.

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Photo ID’s

  • Excellence in Customer Service Award: Southeast Restoration Group was named the 2025 Excellence in Customer Service Award winner. Accepting the award were (l to r) Kevin Griggs and Gregg Harris. They were presented the award by Eric Rein (r) 2024 Chamber Chair, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank.
  • Non-Profit of the Year: The 2025 Non-Profit of the Year was presented to MUST Ministries. Accepting the award were (l to r) Greg Elder and Kendall Jones. They received the award from Eric Rein (r) 2024 Chamber Chair, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank.
  • Small Business of the Year: Enjoy Magazine, Inc. was presented with the 2025 Small Business of the Year award. The award was presented by Eric Rein (far right) 2024 Chamber Chair, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank to Jaye Grimes and members of the Enjoy Magazine, Inc. team.
  • Family-Owned Business of the Year: The Family-Owned Business of the Year award was presented to Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Accepting the award was (l) Travis Hoffmeier. He received the award from Eric Rein (r) 2024 Chamber Chair, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank.
  • Chairman’s Council Volunteer of the Year: Eric Rein (r), 2024 Chamber Chair, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank, presented Paul Seals (l), Office of U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk, the 2024 Chairman’s Council Joan McFather Volunteer of the Year Award.