In 1993, GACCE (then GCCEA) began looking at ways to enhance public awareness and credibility of the Chamber profession. One of the items selected to accomplish this was the establishment of a designation which exemplifies excellence and professionalism of Georgia's Chamber Executives. This designation would be based upon experience, service to GACCE, training/continuing education and personal achievement. It was never the intention of this program to replace any other professional designation. The Georgia Certified Chamber Executive (GCCE) program was started to strengthen career development, provide an opportunity for personal recognition, and measure individual progress. The process and criteria has since been revised in 2005.

Designation Process

Any Georgia Chamber Executive with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in Chamber management is eligible to apply for the designation. Executives relocating from other states must have been employed by a Chamber in Georgia for a minimum of 24 months before submitting a GCCE application.

The program is a 3-part process:

Application - applicant must complete the program application and supply supporting documentation for each question that applies.
Essay - applicant must prepart a 250-word or more essay describing your views on your performance as a Chamber Executive.
Recommendations - applicant must provide letters of recommendation from each of the following:

Current Board Chairman
A Past Chair
Three (3) GACCE Peers

The applicant must provide four (4) copies of the above information, and it is highly recommended that they be presented in binder form. The material must be sent along with a $50.00 processing fee to the Administrator of GACCE. The Certification Committee may request additional information from the applicant to clarify specific criteria. Upon approval by the Committee, the applicant will be awarded the GCCE designation at the Annual Conference.

The application process is now OPEN. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 31, 2010. Should you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Fulmer at (404) 531-6988.

Current GCCE's

The following executives have achieved the Georgia Certified Chamber Executive (GCCE) status:

Candace Boothby, Newnan-Coweta Chamber

Fred Boscarino, Conyers-Rockdale Chamber

Pam Carnes, Cherokee County Chamber

Peggy Chapman, Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber

Mike Gaymon, Greater Columbus Chamber

Bill Mitchell, Toombs-Montgomery Chamber

Willie Paulk, Dublin-Laurens County Chamber

Tara Peters, Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber

Bonnie Pfrogner, Griffin-Spalding Chamber

Dinah Rowe, Chatsworth-Murray County Chamber

Monica Simmons, Cordele-Crisp Chamber

Kenny Smiley, Liberty County Chamber

Teri Wommack, Walton County Chamber