South Central Kentucky
Bowling Green Area
Chamber of Commerce
710 College Street | P.O. Box 51
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42102
866.330.2422 | info@southcentralKY.com
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2012 News Archives
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Staff Designations
Alexander, Thompson Earn Professional Designations
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, MTPC, IOM
Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200, jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY (July 2, 2012)--The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Chief Financial Officer Dave Alexander, CPA and Marketing & Communications Director Jessica M.L. Thompson, MTPC have earned professional designations from two national organizations. Their recent achievements will benefit the Chamber as they utilize their enhanced skills within the organization.
Alexander received his Economic Development Finance Professional Certification (EDFP) from the National Development Council, and Thompson received her Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Dave's and Jessica's achievements further support our organization's strategic initiatives for economic and community growth in South Central Kentucky," said Chamber President & CEO Ron Bunch, CEcD. "Dave's certification gives our team additional expertise in real estate and financial packaging for expansion and attraction projects, and Jessica's training adds leadership, communications and partnership support to our organization."
The EDFP is a rigorous four-course training series that explores the skills essential for the successful practice of economic development: business credit and real estate finance analysis techniques, loan packaging procedures, negotiating and problem-solving skills, and deal-structuring techniques. Each one-week course provides training through real-world examples, hands-on exercises and sample projects. At the end of each week, participants must pass an examination for that course.
President's Club Platinum Star Partner BB&T assisted with the costs for Alexander to attend the courses and complete his certification. BB&T Area Executive Rick Wilson said, "We were happy to support Dave's certification process because we recognize that the EDFP brings value to the Chamber's economic development efforts. We congratulate Dave on this achievement!"
"We thank BB&T for providing financial support for Dave to participate in the EDFP process. Their funding shows a dedication to economic development success in South Central Kentucky," said D. Gaines Penn, Chamber Board of Directors chairman.
Alexander joined the Chamber in April 2011 as chief financial officer, overseeing finances and human resources for the Chamber, the Intermodal Transportation Authority and the Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority. Previously, Alexander served as chief financial officer for Martin Management Group in Bowling Green, having more than 20 years of experience in management for large and midsize automotive dealerships. He is a certified public accountant. In 2011, he was named the Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement of South Central KY.
The Chamber Institute program consists of four weeklong sessions. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and partnership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. Graduates of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management.
Penn said, "We recognize the value that Dave and Jessica bring to the Chamber with these additional designations. We know that their training will contribute to our continued success as an organization. We congratulate them on these honors."
Thompson joined the Chamber in June 2007 as communications coordinator. In her current role as marketing & communications director, she is responsible for Chamber and economic development marketing, public relations, branding and website management. While at the Chamber, Thompson's communications and marketing collateral have been recognized for excellence by state and national chamber of commerce and economic development associations. Previously, Thompson was a PA/communications specialist for State Farm Insurance Companies and an adjunct technical writing instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a Master's degree in Technical & Professional Communication from Auburn University.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.
Visit www.bgchamber.com to learn more about the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.
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