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Lunsford resigns as Chamber president
By Blake Spurney Editor
Rabun County Chamber of Commerce president Rhonda Lunsford is stepping down from her position effective Sept. 12.
Chamber board vice chairman Greg Peters made the announcement at the conclusion of the annual legislative reception Aug. 28. He then read a three-paragraph statement from the Chamber board that included five sentences composed by Lunsford.
Lunsford thanked Chamber members for helping her "grow a successful and effective Chamber" during 20 years with the organization, the last 12 as president. "To the community, I offer my heartfelt appreciation for all of your support, which I will continue to seek as I move on to new challenges."
She said Tuesday that she would "take it easy" and "do some home projects" in the short term.
Lunsford started working for the Chamber in 1988 as a part-time receptionist. She later served as vice president of membership services and as deputy director of the economic development authority.
Peters said Lunsford's replacement would serve as executive director of both the development authority and Chamber. A search committee composed of two members of each board - Jeff Fulp and George Allen from the development authority and Debra Butler and Carolyn McKay from the Chamber - will interview prospective candidates.
Chamber board chairman Greg Brown and Peters will serve as ex officio committee members, but the other four will make recommendations to their respective boards.
Peters said the unity of leadership would be better for existing businesses and for efforts to attract new businesses. "It's just a stronger chord when you have the two of them working together."
The search committee already has received 18 resumes. Lunsford was among those who applied to the joint position before she withdrew her application. Peters said the salary hadn't yet been set, but it would be in the range of what the previous executive director of the development authority was making, about $60,000. The interview process is expected to start in the coming weeks.
"I decided it would be best that the new person who comes in tries to make a go of everything and do it their way," Lunsford said. "Change is not always bad, so we have to look at it that way."
Lunsford described these traits for the ideal candidate: "flexibility, a good listener and very tactful, I guess."
The Chamber and development authority put together a list of criteria, which included traits of someone who can anticipate community needs and plan for the future, be a user-friendly, single point of contact and strategic versus opportunistic.
Rabun County resident Billy Browning, a psychologist who specializes in organizational development, has agreed to provide analysis about candidates free of charge. "We're blessed to have that because Billy does it for the biggest corporations in the world," Peters said.
In looking back on her career with the Chamber, Lunsford said a high point was planning the torch run through Rabun in preparation for the 1996 Olympics. She also expressed satisfaction in organizing the annual Christmas parade and Veterans Appreciation Dinner and launching Leadership Rabun five years ago.
"That's been, I think, a great program that the Chamber has started," she said. "That's a program the Chamber needs to continue to inform and educate the people to make them superior leaders."
Lunsford also described how much Rabun had changed over the years. When she began working for the Chamber, many businesses would close for the winter. Now, most merchants remain open all year. Traffic also had increased significantly as motorists head to Cherokee, N.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.
"Hopefully our advertising has worked in the past," she said.
Brown and Peters both expressed appreciation for Lunsford's service over the years.
"Twenty years experience and being from Rabun County, it's going to be a huge void," Brown said.
"Somebody with that standing and her personality is certainly going to be missed," Peters said.
Chamber board vice chairman Greg Peters made the announcement at the conclusion of the annual legislative reception Aug. 28. He then read a three-paragraph statement from the Chamber board that included five sentences composed by Lunsford.
Lunsford thanked Chamber members for helping her "grow a successful and effective Chamber" during 20 years with the organization, the last 12 as president. "To the community, I offer my heartfelt appreciation for all of your support, which I will continue to seek as I move on to new challenges."
She said Tuesday that she would "take it easy" and "do some home projects" in the short term.
Lunsford started working for the Chamber in 1988 as a part-time receptionist. She later served as vice president of membership services and as deputy director of the economic development authority.
Peters said Lunsford's replacement would serve as executive director of both the development authority and Chamber. A search committee composed of two members of each board - Jeff Fulp and George Allen from the development authority and Debra Butler and Carolyn McKay from the Chamber - will interview prospective candidates.
Chamber board chairman Greg Brown and Peters will serve as ex officio committee members, but the other four will make recommendations to their respective boards.
Peters said the unity of leadership would be better for existing businesses and for efforts to attract new businesses. "It's just a stronger chord when you have the two of them working together."
The search committee already has received 18 resumes. Lunsford was among those who applied to the joint position before she withdrew her application. Peters said the salary hadn't yet been set, but it would be in the range of what the previous executive director of the development authority was making, about $60,000. The interview process is expected to start in the coming weeks.
"I decided it would be best that the new person who comes in tries to make a go of everything and do it their way," Lunsford said. "Change is not always bad, so we have to look at it that way."
Lunsford described these traits for the ideal candidate: "flexibility, a good listener and very tactful, I guess."
The Chamber and development authority put together a list of criteria, which included traits of someone who can anticipate community needs and plan for the future, be a user-friendly, single point of contact and strategic versus opportunistic.
Rabun County resident Billy Browning, a psychologist who specializes in organizational development, has agreed to provide analysis about candidates free of charge. "We're blessed to have that because Billy does it for the biggest corporations in the world," Peters said.
In looking back on her career with the Chamber, Lunsford said a high point was planning the torch run through Rabun in preparation for the 1996 Olympics. She also expressed satisfaction in organizing the annual Christmas parade and Veterans Appreciation Dinner and launching Leadership Rabun five years ago.
"That's been, I think, a great program that the Chamber has started," she said. "That's a program the Chamber needs to continue to inform and educate the people to make them superior leaders."
Lunsford also described how much Rabun had changed over the years. When she began working for the Chamber, many businesses would close for the winter. Now, most merchants remain open all year. Traffic also had increased significantly as motorists head to Cherokee, N.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.
"Hopefully our advertising has worked in the past," she said.
Brown and Peters both expressed appreciation for Lunsford's service over the years.
"Twenty years experience and being from Rabun County, it's going to be a huge void," Brown said.
"Somebody with that standing and her personality is certainly going to be missed," Peters said.
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