Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute
Retired hospital administrator Mike Chandler was named president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce last week after Paul Moore stepped down from the post.
“We are excited about the direction this board will take,” Chandler said. “The Chamber has a rich history and a bright future.”
Chandler moved to Jefferson two years ago after retiring as Senior Vice-President of Hospital Operations for Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport.
He joined the Chamber about a year ago.
He is a past president of Chapter One Society of Respiratory Care and past President of the Board of Directors for Willis-Knighton Credit Union.
Chandler also currently serves as Treasurer of Jefferson Lions Club.
He is a native of Jacksonville, Texas, and holds Batchelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Wiley College.
“My first goal with this new appointment is to resume operating the Chamber like a Chamber,” Chandler said. “We are here to serve our members — the businesses and merchants in Marion County. That is our mission. They should be our number one priority.”
Chandler said another top goal is to “ensure fiscal responsibility” of the Chamber and help build a budget that works well for the organization going forward.
Though Moore has stepped down and announced a move to Shreveport, he will stay on as Board Member along with Vice-President Trey Jackson, Secretary Mary Spearmon and Treasurer Jim Kale.
Other Chamber board members include Jodi Breckinridge, Robin Johnson and Seth Buckner.
For more than four decades, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce has operated with the stated vision to “… support and promote innovative growth in the historic city of Jefferson, Texas and throughout greater Marion County.”
Likewise, their mission statement is to “…promote the success of all members by bringing together resources for the betterment of visitors and our community.”
The group hosts regularly hosts events throughout the community and is dedicated to marketing Jefferson and Marion County to locals and visitors alike.
Their next event is the Citywide Rummage Sale, March 30-April 1.
For more information and list of upcoming events, visit marioncountychamber.org.