Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Reveals Plans for Change and Growth
May 4, 2015
Respected President and CEO Announces Departure
IRMO, SC – Today, the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce (GICC) revealed plans for upcoming changes that include a search for a new President, a new location and a new image.
The first major change comes with the news that Tiffany Boyce Heitzman, below, current President and CEO of GICC, will soon step down from her position. Her husband, Major Bill Heitzman, has been assigned by the U.S. Army to be the Second Regional Cyber Command at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. In August, Boyce Heitzman will leave the Midlands and move to Arizona with her family.
“Initially, we had hoped to only be making a few of these changes, but these unexpected orders have us developing a plan to find a new President and CEO,” said Tom Ledbetter, Chairman of GICC. “Tiffany has been an amazing asset to the Chamber, and although we know this is an exciting opportunity for her family, we will miss her.”
“The Midlands has been my home for 35 years, and leaving my home and the chamber is going to be bittersweet,” said Boyce Heitzman. “I am very proud of the work we all have been able to accomplish together over these past 4 years. It is an exciting time for the chamber and I look forward to helping in the search for a new President and CEO who will usher the organization into the next era.”
The GICC has experienced significant growth since Boyce Heitzman joined the chamber in 2011. Over the years, key accomplishments include an improved financial standing, increased membership, and a capital campaign that raised more than $180,000 to go towards the purchase of a new building.
Renovations on the new building, located at 1235 Columbia Avenue in Irmo, begin next week, with plans to move in before the end of June. The chamber has never owned any property and the purchase and move will result in significant cost savings for the organization.
In the past 12 months, the chamber has also gone through a rebranding process that they plan to reveal with the move. The new brand is fresh and symbolic of the forward momentum and growth of the organization and the business community as a whole.
“With all of the growth and upcoming changes, it is more important than ever for members to continue to be active and involved,” said Ledbetter. “We have been fortunate to have Tiffany, and her vision and work have developed a fantastic foundation for us. We are positioned to undoubtedly attract some high level talent.”
The GICC will put together a formal search committee comprised of past and present board members and community leaders who have been dedicated Chamber members over the years. The goal is to have someone hired to start in July before Boyce Heitzman’s departure a month later.
“My goal is to work with the executive committee, board, chamber members and new President to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved,” said Boyce Heitzman. “I want to do everything I can before I leave to ensure the Chamber continues on a positive path of growth.”
The search for a new President and CEO will begin next week and a job description will be posted on GICC’s website and on industry sites that recruit specifically for Chambers of Commerce.
“The chamber has come a long way since we started 18 years ago,” said Barbara Willm, Vice President of Community Relations, Lexington Medical Center. “We are now more than ever a force to be reckoned with, and that directly correlates to Tiffany’s efforts. We will all miss her and are very thankful for her leadership over the years.”
For more information about the upcoming changes and GICC, please visit GreaterIrmoChamber.com or contact Tiffany Boyce Heitzman at [email protected].
The Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, membership-driven organization comprised of over 700 business enterprises, civic organizations, education institutions, and individuals. Our mission is to provide leadership that will help create regional economic prosperity and success for our members in the Irmo area. The Chamber drives economic prosperity in Irmo and the surrounding areas by: generating business opportunities, creating an environment for sustained prosperity and leading economic development efforts that can provide an environment for networking.
