The Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jeff Smith of Greenwood is the new President and CEO for the organization. He will take the helm on March 31.
“After two months of reviewing resumés and meeting with a number of candidates, we are very excited to welcome Jeff aboard,” said Jenna Jordan with Strovis, who currently chairs the Board of Directors and the CEO Search Committee. “Jeff’s experiences at the Greenwood Chamber, as well as his prior experience in sales and marketing, offer a wonderful set of skills to lead the Chamber forward. Over the past two years, we have been able to reconnect with members and redevelop a number of key relationships, and we are now poised for significant growth. Jeff’s background and experiences will play a pivotal role in that growth.”
“Jeff comes to Georgetown with a wealth of chamber and community building experience and I’m very excited for the future of the Chamber of Commerce under his leadership,” says Larry Mercado, Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.
Smith is a native South Carolinian who has spent the majority of his life in the Piedmont region of the state. Born in Columbia, he has called Greenwood home for almost 50 years, but has spent a number of weeks vacationing in Georgetown County. Smith attended public schools in Greenwood and graduated from the University of South Carolina. He enjoyed careers in advertising sales and direct marketing before embarking on what he considers his true path – contributing to the business life of the community in which he lives, and working to enhance its quality of life. This he accomplished when he transitioned to his current role with the Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce. For the past seven years, Smith has served as Director of Small Business and Communications at the Greenwood Chamber. He is a 2012 graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management program and has served on the S.C. Chamber’s Marketing Advisory Board.
In his role at the Greenwood Chamber, Smith is responsible for the successful implementation of numerous initiatives, special events and programs, including the Greenwood Chamber’s young professionals organization, CONNECT YP, a revamped Small Business Council and a very successful Uptown Merchants wine tasting event to name just a few. He also serves as editor of the organization’s quarterly business magazine and oversees all public relations and marketing efforts.
“Jeff is the perfect fit for Georgetown County and the Chamber,” said Brian Tucker, former Chamber president. “Jeff has come along at the perfect time in the organization’s history. The Chamber is poised for growth and Jeff offers a different skill set that works wonderfully with where the organization is headed. I am very proud of what we have accomplished during my time at the Chamber, but Jeff is equipped to take the organization to an entirely different level.”
Smith said he is “excited at the prospect of becoming engaged in Georgetown County” – an area he and his wife, as well as their children, have always loved visiting.
“I have been impressed with the passion and dedication I have seen in the volunteers and community leaders I have met, and applaud their efforts to move Georgetown County forward,” Smith said. “Following a dynamic leader like Brian Tucker is a challenge, but I look forward to meeting with our members and building on the foundation he has created.”
Smith will begin the relocation process immediately. His wife, Lisa, is a soon-to-be-retired school teacher. They have two adult children.
The Chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament will be April 10 at Wachesaw Plantation with an opportunity to “meet and greet” Jeff immediately following.
Speak Up…