Outgoing director sets bar higher

For those keeping an eye on Columbia County's Chamber of Commerce, it's important to point out that two big announcements in the past few days came under a director with only days left at the helm.

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Taking the next step toward fulfilling its duty as the voice of Columbia County's businesses, the chamber recently announced the start of Leadership Columbia County. This program aims to boost the quality of the county's leaders by giving them a months' long course in the details of what it takes to run the community.

Then, this past week, the chamber celebrated its status as one of just 21 of Georgia's 190 chambers to receive national accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - a distinction shared by just 3 percent of chambers across the country.

All this occurs as Executive Director Karen Chrjapin is winding down her tenure, and as the chamber begins selecting her successor.

These two announcements demonstrate she's laid a great foundation for that next leader to build on - and leaves a tough act to follow.