Comments from the Chairman

COMMENTS FROM THE 2020 CHAIRMAN

Grateful. Despite challenges 2020 wrought, I'm grateful. Grateful to serve as Chairman of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. The year differed from our projection, which we all can say the same, but our Chamber work is meaningful, our outcomes certain and our partnerships strong. I'm grateful to serve alongside you, to serve with our prolific Chamber staff led by Barbara and our engaged, committed Board.

In October Jake Reese, Government Affairs Division Chair, Barbara and I sent a letter to Albany Mayor Bo Dorough and Dougherty County Commission Chairman Christopher Cohilas regarding crime in our community. Success of the Albany area depends on the safety of every citizen. The business community believes in actionable solutions, in partnership and in collaboration. When the private sector engages on issues, progress often can be advanced. We intend to collaborate, to seek actionable community solutions with our law enforcement, government and judicial partners.

In January I told the annual meeting attendees we’d produce a marketable strategic plan to guide our future focus. “Collaboratively we’re putting forth a tailored, community focused strategic vision crafted by our Board in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Many of you provided thoughtful insight to guide the process.” The committee has been hard at work, pandemic be damned, to put forth a strategic vision for our future. I’m pleased to report we’ll finalize this document in December, so Matt Reed, 2021 Chairman, Barbara, Staff and Board can harness the strategic future that’s ours for the taking.

Serving as Chair is an honor, and a far more rewarding experience than I anticipated. That’s because of you. Because of our collective strength, because of the power of our unity, we are, and remain #StrongerTogetherABY. - PERRY REVELL