Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Begins Restructuring

Posted Monday, July 25, 2005

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When the board of directors of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce convened last November for a visioning session, the bottom-line decision was the need to create a dynamic business organization that focused on economic development and value-added services to its membership. In the ensuing months, the leaders of the 1,400-plus member organization have been taking the steps necessary to ensure the visions of the retreat become reality.

“This community deserves a chamber of commerce that is focused on economic development and adding value to its membership,” says Andy Walker, 2005 chair of the chamber and president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of First National Bank of Forsyth. “The steps taken by the board of directors since January of this year are leading us in that direction, including new leadership and a restructuring of the professional staff.”

The board conducted a survey of its membership in April to determine the top qualities a new paid professional chamber leader should possess. “Leadership, vision and communication skills are the top three qualities our membership, our partners and our community have indicated they want in the top paid professional at the chamber,” according to Walker. And the search committee of the chamber took their time to find the right person to fill the spot with those qualities in mind.

James McCoy assumed role of president and chief executive officer on July 18. McCoy formerly served the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce as vice president of public policy and communications from 2000-2004. According to members of the search committee, McCoy was chosen because of his skills in the government relations arena as well as a complete understanding of the important role a chamber can play in the development of a community.

“The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce has a long history of being in the forefront of growth and development,” says McCoy. “My goal is to move the chamber to the next level by building bridges and communicating with the membership, community and other partners. Communication includes listening and talking. I want to be the catalyst that can assemble the appropriate resources when necessary to build a stronger, more effective and efficient organization.”

As part of restructuring the professional staff of the chamber, Anne Wanamaker will assume additional duties as vice president of operations. Originally hired for the position in January, Wanamaker’s responsibilities will now include the management and leadership of all day-to-day functions of the chamber including accounting, human resources and facility management.

“James, as president, will be spending most of his time in the community and developing meaningful relationships with the members and community leaders,” says Walker. “The Executive Committee combined two positions to create the vice president of operations slot. We believe this is a more efficient, and hopefully effective, manner to operate the chamber.”

A new position for the chamber is a vice president of economic development. The search is underway for a professional to “market the Cumming and Forsyth County area as a pro-business center for quality and controlled growth,” according to the chamber’s position description. Candidates are currently submitting resumes for the slot to be chosen by McCoy. He anticipates filling the position by October 1.

“Our community is large enough to support a person who thinks of nothing but promoting Forsyth County as a place to grow a business,” says Pat Murphy, vice chair of economic development of the chamber and a broker for CBRE Realtors. “The new vice president will work with the broker community, developers and economic development agencies to establish relationships that can mean jobs for the citizens of the community. The person will also work directly with existing company leaders in their decisions to expand current operations.”

Supporting the vice president of economic development will be an economic development specialist and program manager. Pam Bowman joined the chamber team in February, 2005 and has already developed a strong sense of the potential for growth and expansion. Bowman’s role will also include working with several of the programs relating to business, including the Developers Roundtable.

A membership retention manager / program manager position that has the sole responsibility of working with current chamber members has been developed by the Executive Committee. “Our membership deserves to have someone who understands their needs and will work to add value to their business,” according to Sherrie Jones, vice chair of membership and manager of the Citizens Bank of Forsyth County. “This new position will focus on membership retention while at the same time partner with Nelson Smith as our new member accounts manager. We expect to fill the retention manager’s position within the next few months.” The position will also be responsible for many of the annual programs that add value to the investments by members such as Business After Hours and the annual golf tournament.

Smith has been a part of the chamber team since April, 2002. His responsibilities will shift to concentrate on new members for the organization and increasing the investment of existing accounts. The Chairman’s Cabinet currently has over 50 members. Chairman’s Cabinet members invest at a rate above their minimum requirement. Smith will be coordinating efforts to increase the number of members of the Chairman’s Cabinet. He will be working closely with McCoy and the new membership retention manager to accomplish this goal.

The director of marketing and information systems seat will also be new for the chamber. The key responsibilities of the position will include management of all communications for the chamber, development and facilitation of a creative annual marketing plan, serving as the administrator of the website and providing oversight for all information systems and technology for the organization. The position has been structured to provide effective and efficient internal operations.

The chamber of commerce is many times the first impression a newcomer has of Forsyth County. An executive assistant and receptionist for the chamber will play a key role in making a positive first impression as well as coordinating meetings and managing administrative support duties for all professional staff members. Those duties will include greeting guests, answering the telephone and serving as a resource for the community and businesses.

In order to develop a more efficient and effective flow of information and services, several offices will be shifted in the current facility at 212 Kelly Mill Road. The membership retention manager / program manager and new member accounts manager will be located downstairs near the office entrance. The office formerly used by the president will become an economic development department. The vice president of operations and director of marketing and information systems will be located upstairs in the facility. The president will be located in an office formerly occupied by the vice president of operations.

“The chamber is making great strides by restructuring to become more efficient and cost effective for our members,” according to Pam Sessions, 2006 chair of the chamber and president of Hedgewood Properties, Inc. “While it is difficult to accept change, it is often necessary in order to move forward. The chamber is taking decisive action on the vision we set forth in November of 2004. These changes were a part of the restructuring that began in January and now are beginning to take shape in a professional and clear-cut manner.”

“As a business representative in Forsyth County, I am extremely proud of the steps we have taken over the past several months to continue building a strong chamber,” says Lynn Jackson, 2007 chair of the chamber and administrator of Northside Hospital-Forsyth. “I believe we are on the right track to provide a higher level of services for the membership and the community. With the start of James McCoy as our president and the restructuring of the professional staff, I see a positive momentum taking shape.”

The Chason Group, Inc., a consulting firm for businesses and non-profits, has assisted the chamber in its search for a new president as well as the restructuring plan. Tim Chason, president of the company, is also coordinating the search for the vice president of economic development.

For more information on the chamber, membership and its programs, contact the professional staff at (770) 887-6461 or visit the website at www.cummingforsythchamber.org.