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 which exemplifies 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 include 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 32 current and former chamber executives who have achieved this designation.  This year, the Association is proud to announce that the following four Chamber Executives have met the criteria to be named a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive:

Cindy Bailey, President, White County Chamber of Commerce

Yulonda Darden Beauford, President & CEO, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce

Page Estes, President, LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce

Tammy Shepherd, President & CEO, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce

The designations were announced during the Awards Dinner at the 2015 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference which was held Thursday, July 23 at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.