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Bernardi leaving chamber; search group for president gives up

Wednesday, March 20. 2013

THE Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce’s leadership void is about to get much bigger. Having searched for a new president without success since Shane Short resigned Aug. 15, 2012, the chamber is about to lose its director of economic development. Courtney Bernardi announced her resignation last week, effective April 12. She is reportedly taking a similar job in Newton County.
Meanwhile, the chamber’s search committee for the position of president is “officially disbanded,” chairman Mark Valentine revealed last Friday as his board of directors met, leaving the chamber’s executive committee searching for an interim president and trying to create a new search committee.

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#1 anon on 03/20/13 at 09:57 AM [Reply]

Wow. Talk about disarray.

The reality is, Chamber of Commerce long ago stopped being a force for economic development. I'm not referring specifically to the Jackson County CoC, but I'm speaking of the national organization. Certain individuals across the country have done a stellar job of driving the economy forward, but as an organization maybe it's time to move on.

#2 Courtney did an awesome job.. on 03/20/13 at 11:50 AM [Reply]

Courtney will be missed, she did a great job at the Chamber and for Jackson County. It's Newton County's win and our county's loss.
I recommend we counter the offer that she received and do our best to keep her.

#3 About time on 03/20/13 at 02:05 PM [Reply]

Clean house and start over !

Too many bungled projects for anyone in that chamber to stay put.

Get rid of the mayors and politicians who have turned the chamber in too nothing more then a personal agenda.

The chamber should be made up of and run by the local business owners, everyone else should butt out !

#3.1 Not really on 03/21/13 at 03:40 PM [Reply]

That's actually not remotely true. I am not aware of one "bungled" project, and I would know. I go to the breakfasts. I go to the after hours events. I went to the annual banquet. Our chamber has been tremendously effective. It's having a rough go in 2013, but I'm confident it will get back on track. You should get a ticket to the Jackson Derby. It's a fun event and a great way to introduce yourself to the chamber.

#3.1.1 anon on 03/22/13 at 05:25 AM [Reply]

Breakfasts? After-hours events? No one should have to introduce themselves to the Chamber, the Chamber should be out there knocking on doors.

Seriously, let's play a round of golf once the weather warms up.

#3.1.2 wrong on 03/22/13 at 05:28 AM [Reply]

I have been involved in 2 of the chambers "bungled" projects. Both were mishandled by the chamber staff.

Going to the "social " events does not mean that everything is/was grand nor does it mean you knew what was going on.

The Jackson Chamber has been inept for a very long time.

#4 Do tell on 03/22/13 at 04:10 PM [Reply]

Do tell. "wrong on.". If you know so much, tell us exactly what two projects that you were involved with that were "bungled" by the chamber. If the chamber is so inept, why were they so successful inrecruiting so many new businesses to our county? Sounds like you just like to stir the pot and blw hot air.

#4.1 anon on 03/23/13 at 07:44 AM [Reply]

I'm not wrong, but I often am on the internet.

The reason why they have been so successful in attracting new businesses is tax incentives, Interstate 85, and a workforce that accepts low wages.

Certainly they bungled something along the way, we all do.

#4.1.1 really? on 03/25/13 at 06:55 AM [Reply]

Really, anon on? Nobody is perfect. But, if you are the same person as "wrong on" you said you were involved with 2 "bungled" projects. To say you are certain that something was bungled along the way is no different than convicting people because they must have done something wrong at some point. Don't convict people on this public forum if you aren't willing to tell us who you are and what you really know. If you don't know what you are talking about when you accuse others you should just keep your mouth shut!

#5 What happened to the $20k on 03/25/13 at 07:53 AM [Reply]

What happened to the $20k that the chamber paid to Spherion to do the search? Obviously, they returned no candidate. Was the money refunded? I understand that a new member of the board of the chamber works for that company. Surely this is a conflict of interest.

http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/7168-Its-back-to-square-1-for-chamber-president-search.html

#5.1 Reply on 03/27/13 at 10:34 AM [Reply]

According to a clip from the article you attached, "The proposal calls for up to $20,000, that Wilbanks said, would cover the search fee, travel and lodging expenses for any applicants brought in, and relocation expenses when a new president is hired." Kudos to both the Chamber Search committee and Spherion because they both worked very hard on their searches. They both presented candidates but unfortunately, the candidate that was picked decided to accept another opportunity. Spherion did not receive any money for their efforts because their candidate did not get picked.

#6 Lora Gary on 03/25/13 at 11:11 AM [Reply]

Shane, Courtney, and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team have done a tremendous job attracting businesses to an otherwise unremarkable county. The people of Jackson--the ones benefiting having good paying, stable jobs with these new companies--will be the ones to suffer for the deliberate power struggle that has resulted in a 1/2 staffed Chamber. I'm working and Hall County now and glad for it. Even I thought we past these games and moving forward for the benefit of Jackson County, but that is not the case.

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