The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce announced that Tammy Shepherd, the organization’s President and CEO, plans to retire after 12 years with the organization.

“It has been a pleasure to help lead the tremendous growth of the Chamber and business community over the last 12 years. This has not been done alone, but however, with the Chambers’ Board of Directors, committees, chamber members, elected officials and the chamber’s professional staff.” Said Tammy Shepherd.

“Tammy’s enthusiastic, selfless and steady leadership during these last 12 years is to be celebrated and without a doubt will be greatly missed,” said Reagan Williams, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and SVP at Meybohm Real Estate. “During her time at the Columbia County Chamber, our county has exploded in growth, becoming one of the top places to live, work and play in the Nation,” said Williams. “That kind of growth doesn’t happen without a bold Chamber leader doing the hard work on behalf of the community. Her dedication and commitment to Columbia County and our region is unparalleled.”

Tammy started with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce in 2008 as the Director of Programs and was promoted to the Vice President in 2009. In April 2010, she became the President & CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and had led the Chamber’s growth to 1,000 members in its 15 years of existence.

Accomplishments of the Chamber while Tammy served as President/CEO

• Creation of three additional corporations to the Chamber’s portfolio: Columbia County Chamber Foundation, Columbia County Chamber Holdings, and Columbia County Chamber Political Action Committee.

• Recognition as a 5 Star Accredited Chamber through the US Chamber of Commerce, one of only 128 in the nation. This was accomplished in 2014 and in 2019.

• Opening of a Chamber branch office in Grovetown / Harlem.

• Chamber’s advocacy role led to the support and passage of the ESPLOST and TSPLOST along with direct communications with elected officials through Greater Augusta Day at the Capitol, CSRA Leadership trip to Washington, DC, and collaborative efforts for the growth of Fort Gordon.

• Creation of many programs and events such as Leadership Columbia County, Young Women on the Way, Students in Business, Teachers in Business, Principal for a Day, Career and College Expo, State of the Community Address and many more.

• Growing the Chamber’s operational annual budget from $350,000 to $1,000,000 annually, quadrupling the staff, while meeting operating reserve standards.

During her tenure, Tammy has also served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, SRS Community Reuse Organization, and Advisory Board of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon and as an ex-officious board member on the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Development Authority. She earned her Institute of Organization Management diploma from the US Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and her Georgia Certificate Chamber Executive designation in 2015.

After a little time off, Tammy hopes to serve as a consultant to other chambers and non-profit organizations while redirecting more time to her family and first grandchild.

The Chamber’s Executive Committee will serve as the selection committee and final candidate will be presented to the full Board of Directors for consideration. As part of the process, a nationwide search for Shepherd’s replacement will be conducted. The process will take several months and Shepherd will remain through the process and training. This will ensure a smooth transition and business as usual.