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Pictured above (L-R):  Danny Mitchell, Matthew Meehan, Bill Mitchell, Cathy Mitchell and Lynn Thompson

Bill Mitchell of the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
Receives Award For Professional Excellence by the Georgia Economic Developers Association

ATLANTA (November 16, 2015) – Bill Mitchell, President of the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority, was named the 2015 recipient of the Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence by the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA). With more than 15 years of economic development experience, Mitchell is being recognized for his professionalism, integrity, leadership, commitment and contributions to the profession.

Mitchell is a Past Chair of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) Board of Directors and has also served on the boards of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  He is a 2003 graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.  Bill was named a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive in 2008 and was the GACCE Executive of the Year in 2013.

Prior to joining the economic development profession, Mitchell served in the Air Force and worked in the apparel industry for Oxford Industries.

Mitchell was surprised by his wife and children at the GEDA November awards luncheon as he received the award. More than 250 economic developers from around the state attended the ceremony.

About the Award

H. W. "Rip" Wiley worked for the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (now the Department of Economic Development) as Director of the Industry Division when he passed in October 1978. Wiley's primary objective was to locate industry in the rural communities of Georgia. He also strived to help local communities initiate development efforts in their particular community which would enable the recruitment and retention of industry. In striving to serve Georgia, he represented the state as a shining example of honor, leadership, integrity, dedication, professionalism and hard work which impacted numerous persons in the industrial development field in Georgia. This award was established upon his death in 1978 to be presented to the person in economic development who best represents his spirit of excellence.

About GEDA

The Georgia Economic Developers Association is a nonprofit association of professionals, volunteers and supporters. The association provides networking and professional development opportunities for its members, and supports public policies that promote quality job creation and sustainable economic development throughout the state. For more information, visit www.geda.org. 

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