COVINGTON, Ga. - After more than four years leading the Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce, President Ralph Staffins will step down from his position May 31 to accept a similar position with the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce.
The CNCCC Board of Directors will collectively support ongoing membership, economic development, tourism and Main Street programs in the event a replacement for Staffins – for which a search has commenced – is unsecured prior to his departure.
Guided by Staffins, the CNCCC has achieved several milestones. Companies of diverse sizes and disciplines have relocated to and maintained business within the county, increasing job opportunities and revenues. During his tenure, Facebook purchased a large parcel of land in the eastern section of the county on which it is currently constructing data-center buildings.
Furthermore, membership has grown 30% under Staffins and his team, and concerts, Fourth of July and Christmas events on the square have reached record attendance.
“While difficult to say goodbye to a great leader for the chamber and our community, this move for Ralph and his family is a part of a much bigger journey,” Corey Consuegra, chair of the CNCCC Board of Directors, said. “His impact on new and existing business, and promoting commerce among an extremely active membership base, is greatly appreciated and lauded among the best in all of Georgia.”
Last year, the CNCCC was awarded the 4-Star Certification by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Only 3% of Chambers across America hold the esteemed designation.
“A goal of the incoming President will be to create a strong member value proposition, sense of business belonging and civic involvement, so this and future generations enjoy a healthy county economy,” Dr. Eric Bour, vice chairman of the CNCCC Board of Directors, said. “We will be prudent in appointing Ralph’s successor, an individual whose B2B and B2C connections will foster even greater relationships.”
According to a January 2015 article in The Covington News, Staffins started with the chamber in 2015 after previously working as the CEO for the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce.
Staffins is a native of Loganville who grew up in Newton County through the 10th grade and received his bachelors in political science and masters in public administration from Georgia College and State University.
Brunswick and Glynn County are located on Georgia's coast with a population of more than 80,000 residents. The chamber has more than 1,200 members and an annual operating budget of $650,000. The business organization plays a significant role in shaping the community's economy through advocacy on the local, regional, state and federal levels. the chamber has a staff of five professionals in addition to the president.
