b'Moving ForwardChristie Moore to Join Brian MarloweNamed Deputy Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of CommerceCommissioner of Rural Georgiaas PresidentGov. Brian P. Kemp named Tift County Development Authority President and CEO Brian Marlowe as Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia. In this role, Marlowe will lead the Governors Rural Strike Team.The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of CommerceIt is my honor to name Brian Marlowe as the new Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia board of directors has named Christie Moore as its newand leader of the Rural Strike Team, says Kemp. With todays announcement, we are president, effective January 4, 2021. fulfilling another promise from the campaign trail to spur economic growth and opportunity in rural Georgia.Moore comes to the Valdosta-Lowndes County communityMarlowe, who has an extensive background in economic development and local from Dawsonville, Georgia, where she served as presidentgovernment, says, I am honored to be trusted with such an important responsibility by and chief executive of the Dawson County Chamber ofGov. Kemp. Ive spent my professional life working to promote growth and opportunity in Commerce, which she has held since 2012. Moore wasTift County and throughout rural Georgia. responsible for business advocacy, tourism marketing, and economic development. One of Moores most notable successes has been implementing research-driven workforce best practices to champion local work-based learning initiatives through collaboration with the local school system, higher education institutions, and local industry leaders. Public Relations Under Moores guidance, the chamber also successfully advocated for the passage of ESPLOST to fund a collegeMarketing and career academy to improve outcomes for the mostGeorgia, Zell Miller Leadership Institute, Leadership vulnerable students in Dawson County. A tireless advocate on behalf of small businesses, Moore led the campaign toDawson, and the Georgia Academy of EconomicPublication Developmentreduce impact fees on the commercial sector to make itDevelopment.easier for existing businesses to expand and encourageContent Creationincreased entrepreneurial investment in the community. The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber has continuously received five-star accreditation by the U.S. ChamberMedia Relations Looking to start her tenure as chamber president,of Commerce. The accreditation program defines Moore says she plans to spend time listening to areaexcellence standards in chamber planning and business and community leaders. I want to meet withperformance and shows how they can reach andStrategic Planningmembers and non-members of the chamber, communitymaintain these standards. It also helps chambers advocates, regional leaders, and the internal chambermeasure achievement while recognizing andCrisis Management team to learn what the strengths of the chamber are andencouraging chamber members and staff who meet what opportunities exist for the chamber to help enablehigh standards of operation and who contribute businesses, nonprofits, and citizens to thrive. effectively to the good of their chambers and Moore is a graduate of the U.S. Chambers Institutecommunities. For more information contact:of Organization Management and a Georgia CertifiedThressea H. Boyd, CEO.thressea@thboydcomm.com.229.460.7059Chamber Executive. She is also a graduate of Leadership 56 SG MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 57'