News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Five elected to Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Five members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Each will serve on the Board from February 2017 to January 2020.


Ashley Gott, Cindy Gibbons, Deborah Hogg and Jared Garrison. Not pictured: Dr. Jim Parker.

Five members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Each will serve on the Board from February 2017 to January 2020.
Four are incumbents and one is a new board member.
The four incumbents are:
  • Cindy Gibbons with U.S. Bank
  • Ashley Gott with Bank of Herrin
  • Deborah Hogg with Hospice of Southern Illinois
  • Dr. Jim Parker with Little Egypt Veterinary Clinic
The new board member is Jared Garrison with the City of Marion (The Pavilion).
“I have been an executive or equivalent title for more than 20 years, serving as a leader in my industry,” Garrison said. “In my current position, I have grown our business by more than 400%. I am extremely detail and goal drive, intuitive, budget oriented, passionate, steadfast, and always eager to serve my community. I believe that the Chamber of Commerce is looking for these characteristics in future board members so that we can help guide, direct and lead our Chamber to grow and serve our community in the most effective way.”
Garrison is a current board member with the Williamson County Tourism Bureau and President of Kre8ive Fine Arts Academy. Garrison served as the State Field Director for the Miss Illinois Scholarship Association from 2011-2016 and as Assistant Director of Artstarts from 2009-2013. His community service involvement includes serving on The Night’s Shield Fundraising Committee, as Co-director of Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Red Carpet Gala and on the Marion Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner Committee and Marketing Committee.
The new directors were presented during the December Monthly Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, December 13 at Kokopelli.
“The Marion Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of the candidates who allowed their names to stand in the election, and all of the Chamber members who exercised their right to vote,” said Dalus Ben Avi, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with all of the Board of Directors in the coming year to ensure the continued growth and success of the Chamber and the greater Marion area.”
The new Executive Board was also announced at the December Monthly Membership Luncheon. Those serving on the Executive Board for 2017 are:
  • Immediate Past Chair - Doug Kimmel with Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois
  • Chair - Kenya Garner with State Farm Insurance
  • 1st Vice Chair - Janet Jensen with Auto Credit of Southern Illinois
  • 2nd Vice Chair - Gail Barger with Priority Staffing Group Ltd
  • Secretary – Ashlee Church with Volkswagen of Marion
  • Treasurer - Kimberly Walker with Kemper CPA Group LLP
“I'm excited about being the upcoming chairman of the board since Marion continues to grow and prosper with so many new businesses,” said Garner.
The term of the newly elected directors officially begins the evening of the 96th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction on Friday, January 20, 2016, at the Pavilion of the City of Marion. Reservations for the event are currently being accepted. To RSVP for the Annual Banquet, call the Chamber office at (618) 997-6311, email director@marionillinois.com or visit www.marionillinois.com.
 

Published: 12/13/16