Our very own Aura Lee Durham was awarded her GCCE designation at GACCE’s Executive Leadership Conference last week. For the first time in GACCE’s history, two non-CEO chamber staff members received the GCCE designation. Join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition. send a note (hyperlink to her email address)

The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) announced their newest Georgia Certified Chamber Executives at the 2021 Executive Leadership Conference held at the Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll Island, GA.

In 1993, the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) began looking at ways to enhance public awareness and credibility of the Chamber of Commerce profession.  One of the items selected to accomplish this was the establishment of a designation that exemplifies the excellence and professionalism of Georgia’s Chamber Executives.  This designation would be based upon experience, service to GACCE, training/continuing education, and personal achievement.  The Georgia Certified Chamber Executive (GCCE) was created to strengthen career development, provide an opportunity for personal recognition, and measure individual progress.

The process for those Chamber Executives wishing to achieve this designation includes completing the GCCE application and providing supporting documentation, writing a 250-word essay describing their views on their performance as a Chamber Executive, and providing letters of recommendation from a Past Chamber Chair and three GACCE peers.  The application and supporting material are then reviewed by a panel of judges.

GACCE has a total of 22 current chamber executives who have achieved this designation. This year, GACCE is proud to announce that the following six-chamber professionals have met the criteria to be named a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive:

Aura Lee Durham, Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce

Joseph Henning, Henry County Chamber of Commerce

Beth Morrison, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce

Julie Paysen, Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce

Sara Ray, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce

Tommie Beth Willis, Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce

We are now one of only two chambers in the state with two Georgia Certified Chamber Executives. Congrats,  Aura Lee!