News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO George Halford will retire from his position later this year.
Halford said the timing was right for both himself and the organization as the Chamber begins a new strategic planning process.
“We’re starting that process of studying the future needs of the organization from a perspective of a manager,” Halford said. “Sooner or later, we face the inevitable. I could have went longer, but with the new era, the changing of the guard, the economy, and with the things that are happening right now, it’s a good time to be working on this process.”
Halford said the Chamber’s success the last two decades has helped catch the attention of state officials in bringing more revenue and development to the region.
“We’ve been about that for years and today we’re a player,” Halford said. “If you look at the success we’re having in economic development, workforce development, and tourism, it’s been a several-year collective and team effort to establish us as more as an economic development force in the state of Tennessee.”
Halford said some of the Chamber’s success comes from beyond the Cookeville-Putnam County area and includes neighboring communities in the Upper Cumberland.
“We have a nationally-acclaimed workforce development program, our four counties working together with our school systems, Tennessee Tech, College of Applied Technology, and our private sector,” Halford said. “We’re trying to ensure we have a 21st century workforce so we can create 21st-century jobs.”
Halford took over as the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO in 2003. Since then, the Chamber has helped create the Highlands Economic Partnetship along with Jackson, Overton, and White Counties. The Chamber also oversees the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitor’s Bureau.
Halford will retire this December after 47 total years of chamber experience. The Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee will soon begin implementing their succession planning process.
