-Staff reports-
Pam Powers-Smith
The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has announced its 2026-2027 Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee members are:
Chair – David Bradley, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
Chair-Elect – Sara Ray, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
First Vice Chair/Secretary – Pam Powers-Smith, Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce
Second Vice Chair/Treasurer – Madison Ruttinger, Thomaston-Upson County Chamber of Commerce
Immediate Past Chair – Christie Moore, Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce
GACCE has also placed the following members on its Board of Directors:
Region 1 – Stacy Hamby, Paulding Chamber of Commerce
Region 2 – Steve Rowe, Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce
Region 3 – Joseph Henning, Henry County Chamber of Commerce
Region 4 – Rhyne Owenby, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
Region 5 – Debbie Harper, Newton Chamber of Commerce
Region 6 – Maggie Schuyler, Perry Area Chamber of Commerce
Region 7 – Jeffrey Fowler, Warren County Chamber of Commerce
Region 8 – Rhonda Lamb, Dooly County Chamber of Commerce
Region 9 – Patty Barnard Busby, Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce
Region 10 – Caitlyn Hatcher, Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce
Region 11 – Melissa Dark, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce
Region 12 – Katarina Hoyt, Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce
Permanent Appointment – Chris Clark/Morgan Law – Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Ex-Officio Appointment – Allen Fox – Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ex-Officio Appointment – Grant Cagle – Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA)
The following members were placed on the Board to fill one-year appointments at the discretion of the GACCE
Chair:
Susan Kraut, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
Leonardo McClarty, Fayette Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Walden, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce
The 2026-2027 Executive Committee and Board of Directors officially began their terms July 1, 2026.
GACCE is the professional association of Chamber of Commerce executives and staff. The mission of GACCE is to educate, engage, and empower Chamber of Commerce professionals.
