Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1062077
2 8 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E M O N T H / M O N T H Y E A R 4 2 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 Quality plants and knowledgeable staff Open Mon-Fri 10-5 p.m. Sat 9-5 p.m. • Closed Sun Gift Certificates Available 3131 US-41, FORSYTH, GA 31029 • 478.808.0513 • CONTAINER PLANTING SERVICE • COMPLIMENTARY GARDEN DESIGN CONSULTATIONS • RUSTIC GARDEN DECOR ITEMS & GIFTS GET TO KNOW NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT YVONNE WILLIAMS Y VONNE WILLIAMS is the new president/CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. Before taking on the role in Macon, she was the executive director for the Griffin Downtown Development Authority. We asked her a few questions. WH Y DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME BACK TO MACON? Serving as the president and CEO of the Macon Chamber is an amazing opportunity to serve my hometown. After growing up here, and returning home after 30 years of serving several chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and community improvement districts, I am delighted to see all of the advances this community has made. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR MACON? Macon sits at the cusp of major opportunity. The Macon Chamber plays an integral part in the successful cultivation of a dynamic business community. With its record of extraordinary economic and community development, the chamber seeks to continually improve the area by uniting public and private interests to support and promote the entire region. Leaders of the Macon Chamber and the Macon Economic Development Commission are focused on the future. We continue to have opportunities to build more collaborative partnerships to meet the ever-changing environment of community competitiveness, economic growth and talent development. As we look at the entire package of what this can do for our community, it will take all of us to move the needle. It will take all our collective efforts to accomplish this task. WHAT IS YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNIT Y? It would be great if we could continue to work toward the goals of interface seclusion and diversity. The healthcare industry is growing leaps and bounds here. There is a strong presence among the higher education institutions with medicine and engineering, and Central Georgia Technical College is superb in building technical career networks. We will need to be the centerpiece of how all these efforts come together so that people in Middle Georgia see the Chamber as being relevant for employment opportunities and that long- term commitment to stay in Middle Georgia. We want resources for our young people to come out of their educational experience and have a fulfilling job opportunity. L O C A L B U Z Z m 4 2 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9