Proudly serving Davisboro, Deepstep, Harrison, Oconee, Riddleville, Sandersville, Tennille, and Warthen
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1956 with Howard Sheppard as president and Cecil Hall as secretary. Emory Garner was the first executive secretary. The Chamber is governed by 15 elected directors who serve 3-year terms. From these directors, a chair and a vice-chair are elected. Directors are elected from the membership except for an unexpired term which is filled by appointment by the board. Ex-officio board members include Mayor of Sandersville, Mayor of Tennille, Chairman of WaCo Development Authority, Chairman of WaCo Board of Commissioners, President of Sandersville Technical College and the Chamber past chair and Chairman of the WaCo School Board. Up to three new directors may be appointed by the Chairman. A full-time president, vice president, and secretary are retained by the chamber.
The Chamber of Commerce is providing the leadership necessary for the growth and development of all East Central Georgia. Local citizens are eager to provide opportunities and to meet challenges that will provide an even brighter future for themselves and those who follow. A willing and abundant workforce in a non-union environment is supported by a network of county and city governments working hand-in-hand to ensure the continuation of this good life.
Past Board Chairman
1956 1983
Howard Sheppard Clyde K. Wright
1957-1959 1984
Robert W. Morris Charles Lee
1960 1985
Walter C. McMillan Otis Smith
1961-1962 1986-1987
Osgood Bateman, DVM Chris F. Irwin III
1963 1988
Cecil Hodges Marc Sack
1964 1989
Thomas Hutcheson Joe Giddens*
1965 1990
Herbert McCaskill, Jr. Randy Mayberry
1966 1991
Oliver Wilson Don Thigpen
1967 1992
John Holder Smith * Charles K. Tarbutton
1968 1993
Earl Bivings Bobby Garner
1969 1994
Wilson Stone* Hugh M. Tarbutton, Jr.
1970 1995
Howard Sheppard Charles H. Jordan
1971 1996
Maurice Friedman Allen M. Hodges
1972 1997
John Atkinson* Eddie R. Moye
1973 – 1974 1998
Larry Mathis Derek Spry
1975 1999
Wilmont B. Ouzts Ben Tarbutton III
1976 2000
Miss Augusta Lawson Joy Norris
1977 2001
Earl Bivings Roy Dixon
1978-1979 2002
Wilson Stone* Tony Veal
1980-1981 2003
Robert W. Wynne Harlan Archer
1982 2004
Carl Forrester Mike Franklin
*Deceased
Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life….It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop. Dr. Dorothy I. Height