After almost five months
of applications, interviews, and decision-making the Panama City Beach Chamber
of Commerce has finally elected its new leader. The search committee, staff,
and Board of Directors chose Lance Allison from Murray, KY, to direct the Beach
Chamber in its future endeavors.
Mr. Allison, who had been
President/CEO at the Murray Calloway County Chamber of Commerce, will serve as
the source for the Beach Chamber’s success with its members, mission, volunteer
engagement, and staff. The new President & CEO will guide the development
of the Beach Chamber’s strategic plan, address key economic, community, and
public policy issues, and enhance support for small business.
Before leaving Kentucky, Mr.
Allison led the Murray Calloway County Chamber to state association awards in
membership retention, e-news communication, and publications. Thanks to his
leadership, in 2012 the Murray Calloway County Chamber achieved national status
of Top 10 in member retention, the Bronze Award for publications, and Chamber
of the Year from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. He also won the
2012 Chamber President of the Year Award in from the Association of Chamber of
Commerce Executives at its annual convention in Louisville, KY. He received the
Kentucky Accredited Chamber Executive designation (ACE) and the Certificate of
Nonprofit Management (IOM) designation from the US Chamber of Commerce
Southeast Institute for Organization Management. With an extensive background
in small business, Mr. Allison plans to gear the programming for the Beach
Chamber towards business development and member relations.
Prior to joining the Murray
Calloway County Chamber in 2008, Mr. Allison spent 20 years in photography
where he later owned his own photography business. He is cultivated in
communications in organizations, leadership development and training,
relationship building, and networking. Mr. Allison holds a B.S. & M.S. in
Organizational Communication from Murray State University.
He and his wife, Terra Allison, and
their three children, Payton, Chloe and Jack will be relocating to Panama City
Beach in May.
