It is very hard to believe that I am sitting down to write my first Chamber Chat. With it being my very first week as the new Executive Director for the Chamber, I have been showered with a warm welcome. Thank you to everyone in the community for the phone calls, emails and visits, as I have begun this new journey. The joy that I have already experienced in my first week as been impeccable, and the future I see with the Chamber is a bright one.

I am honored and thrilled to be taking on a new level of leadership as Executive Director of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce. The Sampson County community has hugely invested in, supported, and challenged me to be a leader for tomorrow. I feel as though my past four years of school, growth, personal and professional development have prepared me for this opportunity. I am proud to follow in Janna Bass’s footsteps as a young person with the privilege of leading the community towards the economic development and increased quality of life here in Sampson County.

Taking a look at the past month, I have experienced a lot of change and all for the better. I am a Sampson County native and knew that I wanted to move back to the community that graciously gave so much to me as a young child. I recently graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with my degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, I excitingly accepted the position as the Executive Director with the Chamber and moved back home to Sampson County.

First, I want to thank Janna Bass, for the role she has generously taken on as my mentor. I have a true understanding of the big shoes I have to fill. The amount of hard work and effort she has put in to make my transition the easiest and smoothest as possible, is an understatement. For that, thank you, times a million, Janna! Janna is now working at Sampson Community College, and I wish her the best with her future endeavors.

The Chamber would like to send a warm congratulation to our Member of the Week, Baggett’s Jewelry. We honored Baggett’s Jewelry this week as they are one of the oldest family owned business operating in Sampson County, established in 1948. We would love to have you join the Chamber every Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. celebrating the Member of the Week.

Another great event that I experienced my first week was the Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the brand new building that houses Sampson Bladen Oil. The event was held at the new site, located on 510 Commerce Street in Clinton, and consisted of great networking opportunities, and a wonderful full house of people from all around to celebrate the new site and all its hard work put forth to make it all happen.

I encourage the community, if you have not already done so, to submit your applications or sponsorships for the Sampson County Young Professionals organization. This organization is open to all individuals aged 22-40 and our mission is to connect young professionals, engage within the community and advance in leadership development to be the leaders of tomorrow. Our kick-off event is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at Oasis. Click on the “Young Professionals” tab on our newly designed Chamber website for both membership and sponsor applications.

For more information about the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce, visit www.clintonsampsonchamber.org or call 910-592-6177. I encourage you to get involved and let the Chamber work for you!