James Allen Promoted to Vice President of Member & Community Development

Augusta, GA (January 30, 2025) - The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the promotion of W. James Allen to Vice President of Member & Community Development. James will soon celebrate seven years with the Chamber and "has been a valuable member of the team, contributing so much in terms of both member support and organizational representation throughout the community," says President & CEO Angie Cox. "James is dedicated to his role and to advancing the mission of the Chamber by ensuring that our members feel valued and realize the return on their investment. He is a wonderful advocate for our member businesses and also cares deeply about the betterment of the community."

As Vice President of Member & Community Development, James is responsible for developing and managing the Chamber’s internal member engagement programs designed to increase and retain membership. The ultimate goal is to build and nurture relationships with Chamber members and other partners and organizations within our community. Not only will he continue his small business retention efforts, ensuring members stay connected to the Chamber, but he will now lead the membership team and grow the Chamber’s upper-level investors. James will leverage his knowledge of member technology platforms to develop and execute new programs that support the Chamber and its members.

James Allen has been a valued member of the Augusta Metro Chamber team for seven years, beginning his tenure as Membership Growth Manager. Over the years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to fostering member relationships, advancing from Membership Engagement Manager to Director of Member Engagement, a role he has held since March 2023. Prior to joining the Chamber, James gained valuable experience as the Community Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble in Augusta, Georgia, where he honed his skills in business development and community engagement.

In July 2024, James Allen graduated from the prestigious Institute for Organization Management, a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The program, known for its rigorous curriculum, provides participants with a deep understanding of nonprofit management, leadership strategies, and organizational development. That same month, James received The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Dana Ketterling Lifetime Sales Achievement Award, earning the Silver level for achieving 750 transactions or $300,000 in sales. This distinguished honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to membership growth and retention, further underscoring his impact within the Chamber and the broader business community. His completion of the Institute program and receipt of the ACCE award highlight his dedication to both professional development and the success of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.

About Augusta Metro Chamber:

The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is the largest business membership organization in the CSRA. Dedicated to fostering economic growth, the Chamber is committed to supporting businesses and educational initiatives that strengthen the Augusta region. Membership is open to businesses interested in investing in the future of the community.

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Media Contact:
Brooke Willis, Communications Coordinator
brooke.willis@augustametrochamber.com
762-333-3199