Chamber begins search for new President
Community, News September 1, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – In August, the President and CEO of the Gilmer County Chamber, Paige Hutto, announced her resignation to be with family and her husband in Alabama.
Paige Hutto, President/CEO of the Gilmer Chamber
Today, the Chamber has announced they are beginning their search for their new President alongside the Chason Group, a “search firm” based in Georgia. This group has been used by other groups in both Gilmer and neighboring counties searching for officials like Presidents, Managers, and other positions in need of certain qualifications as their website says the perform searches for “Executive Talent.”
They are also currently working with Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Murray County Industrial Development Authority, and Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce in searches. According to a release from the Chamber, this is the same group that identified Hutto as a candidate when she took the position of President/CEO, and also Alan May before her.
Chair of the Board of Directors for the Gilmer Chamber, Chris Wang
According to their statement, the current Chair of the Board of Directors, Chris Wang said, “Our board is taking a very organized and strategic approach to the executive search process for a new president. We want to make sure we identify the most qualified professionals who have the skill sets required to move the chamber and community forward in terms of tourism and business growth. We are open to traditional and nontraditional candidates as long as they have the skills sets required of the position. A lot has changed since Paige came on board and we want to make sure we get it right again, just as the previous search committee did.”
The process is set to take between 100-120 days according to the Chason Group who says phase 1 has already been completed as they have met with stakeholders and interviewed members to see the type of person and the skills that they want to find in their new president. Today, they announced the opening and are accepting resumes until September 18, 2020.
After that, selected candidates will be interviewed and narrowed until the Chamber finally reaches its decision on the candidate to fill the position. With the process completed, all indications point that the Chamber should have its new leader before Christmas.
Paige Hutto speaks on resignation from Chamber
Community August 7, 2020
Inevitable. The decision to move home was coming sooner or later for Paige Green Hutto. The recently married President/CEO of Gilmer Chamber said she knew when she got married that she eventually wanted to move home to Alabama with her husband and family.
“Family” is more than just the husband and kids. It is parents, too. Hutto’s mother and father live in Alabama as well. Going home to that much was most definitely a major part of the decision.
From Left to Right, Lisa Salman, Paige Hutto, Ellen Grant, and Caitlin Neal pose for a photo at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Gilmer Chamber.
Yet, it wasn’t something that she has worried about and fretted over. It was a feeling that she was waiting for, a sense of “the right time.” She explains that she wasn’t looking for a sign. Instead, she knew that when the time came, she would feel it and understand in her heart that the time had come.
She wasn’t going to abandon her friends, Chamber members, and colleagues in such a rough time period with so much facing them amidst the uncertainties of the virus.
And so she worked through the time until a few weeks ago. Hutto said, “I just realized that it would be selfish of me to stay because I could not give 150 percent like I always had.”
With a divided heart between two towns and a divided schedule as well, Hutto said the community deserved better. It was a Friday that she finally decided. That Monday, she shared her decision.
She also stated that as she made her decision to go home, she was prepared that it wasn’t a quick change. She shared her decision and her resignation openly ready to stay on for the transition if the Chamber Board asked.
And they did.
Paige Hutto, left, stands with Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, right. whom she worked alongside on many projects throughout her tenure with the Gilmer Chamber.
Hutto is still in Ellijay, for now. She is still leading the Chamber, for now. It is the last responsibility she is taking on as Gilmer’s Chamber President. Transitioning to a new leader, a new President.
The process, she estimates, should take about 90 days to find that replacement, with only a few days of overlap as she hands things off to the Chamber’s new leader.
Looking at the next chapter, there isn’t exactly a lit path ahead for her. She said going home and being with family is the main focus. As for continuing in the tourism business, she said it would take the right opportunity to come along to return to the industry. Gilmer is a special place and Hutto said she has loved it here.
“I’m really looking forward to finishing out my time in Ellijay. I’m really focused on that,” said Hutto.
To accomplish that, she is working through the issues of the day as the Chamber handles all of the details of the recently cancelled Apple Festival. However, a lot of work will also involve transferring her knowledge and the accumulation of the years. Getting the staff ready and the office ready for the coming adventures.
President of the Gilmer Chamber, Paige Hutto tenders resignation
News July 28, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – FYN has learned today that Gilmer Chamber President and CEO Paige Green has officially tendered her resignation to the Board of Directors.
Paige Green Hutto, President and CEO of the Gilmer Chamber
Green has worked in Gilmer’s Chamber for over 12 years and has worked in tourism for even longer since becoming Tourism Director in Eufaula, Alabama.
According to a release given to FYN since the announcement, Green is returning to her home-state for family including both her husband and parents. Her parents have always played a major part in her life. Hutto explained as much in a featured interview with FYN as she celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the Chamber.
Now, returning to her home state, coworkers are already beginning to speak about the loss that will be felt. However, Hutto will remain with the Chamber for the foreseeable future as the Board of Directors pairs with the Chason Group to find a replacement.
The full press release follows:
Following almost 12 years of service in which she helped build the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce to over 630 members, President and CEO Paige Green Hutto has submitted her resignation to the Board of Directors.
Hutto is making the change to join her new husband in Alabama and take the next step in her life with her new family.
“My love for this community and organization is only usurped by the love of my new husband and family in Alabama and it is time for that life to be whole,” she said. “It is because of that love that I tender my resignation with bittersweet feelings and a somewhat heavy heart.”
In her time at the Chamber, Hutto has presided over a period of exponential tourism growth in Gilmer County and an almost doubling of the organization’s membership. Her leadership has also been instrumental in the formation of the JDA, the Greater Gilmer Community Foundation and CORE- which grew out of a chamber-led trip to a business incubator in Carrollton.
“I hope above all that I will be remembered as someone who gave 100 percent and loved this community and organization and always worked for the betterment of both,” said Hutto.
Board Chair Chris Wang said Hutto will be missed.
“The Gilmer Chamber Board of Directors could not be more thankful of the extraordinary job President Paige Green Hutto has done these last 12 years,” he said. “Every chairperson has been able to walk in to a stronger organization year after year because of the tireless effort she contributed to this Chamber. Personally, Paige is one of the smartest and wisest leaders I have ever worked with. She will be missed greatly by this community and by those who worked beside her.”
Gilmer Chamber’s Board of Directors will work with The Chason Group to conduct a thorough executive search for the next leader of the organization. Hutto has agreed to remain during the search to enable a smooth transition.
“The incoming president not only has fashionable shoes to fill, but a highly competent mind to match. We wish nothing but the absolute best for Paige during this next chapter of her life,” said Wang.
Ellijay will have Fireworks without a parade for July 4th
News June 15, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Chamber President/CEO Paige Hutto (formerly Paige Green) spoke with Ellijay City Council Members this week about details that many citizens are seeking regarding the upcoming 4th of July Celebration including the parade and fireworks.
She confirmed that there will not be a parade, but the Chamber will be spending this week in talks with Ellijay Police Chief Edward Lacey for details about safety, social distancing, and options for citizens to view the display. She confirmed with FYN that the fireworks will be launched from the area behind Ellijay Elementary School as normal. However, she mentioned thoughts about finding a way for citizens to view them like a “drive-in” movie theater, staying in vehicles or the bed of a truck to watch.
However, the thought was merely a preliminary thought, as she asserted that more details and discussions must be had with authorities on options and plans.
During the City Council Meeting, Hutto explained that they would be addressing these details more over the coming week and sharing that information with the public.
During the discussion, the council questioned for details on why there would not be a parade. Hutto explained that the original decision not to have a parade was made weeks ago based on Executive Orders from the Governor and the situation at the time. However, as times have changed and more people are returning to social and normal events, there simply was not enough time to plan a parade.
The process takes, typically, four to six weeks to plan and prepare for a parade. Now, as they return to plans for the celebration, the two and a half weeks set up is not sufficient to accomplish the entire process.
In addition to preparation, there were questions of who would assume responsibility for the festivities like a parade, be it the chamber or merchant’s association or another. Ultimately, the focus moving ahead, according to Hutto, is solely focused on putting on the fireworks display for citizens and accomplishing this safely for all involved.