For Immediate Release – June 16, 2021
Charleston Chamber President Returning to Grad School
The President of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC) made it official at this morning’s Board of Directors meeting she would be resigning at the end of next month to return to Graduate School at her alma mater, Eastern Illinois University. Jessica Meadows will be returning to school this fall to pursue a Master in counseling degree.
“This is the perfect time for me to pursue another career path,” states Meadows. “It will also allow the new Board and leadership to staff their team in the important days ahead,” she states. Ms. Meadows graduate from EIU with a B.S. in Communications and previously has done post-graduate work there at well. “I thank the CACC for the opportunity provide me and believe their success will continue,” Meadows states.
Meadows has served as President of the CACC since 2019, fulfilling the role on a virtual/part-time basis during the pandemic while in Colorado last year before returning to both Charleston and her full-time role in January of the year.
The CACC and Mattoon Chamber of Commerce (MCC) announced they had entered into merger discussions last January as well. “I will be staying on through completion of the merger vote,” added Meadows.
“Jessica has provided great enthusiasm for the CACC these past couple of years and we thank her for serving us in the most challenging of times during a global pandemic. Among many of her duties were assisting member and non-member local businesses alike in receiving almost $250K in pandemic related grants,” states Jeff Baker, Chair of the CACC’s Board of Directors.
“At the time we entered into initial discussions with the MCC, Jessica’s plan was to remain in Colorado and work for the CACC on a part-time basis until her replacement could be found. While we were pleased that she returned both to Illinois and the CACC on a full-time basis, we support her pursuit of continued education and will miss Jessica in her CACC role,” adds Baker.
“On behalf of our 230+ local members I thank Jessica for her work on our behalf and wish her future success in this new career path. As I said earlier this year, the CACC will continue to – “Get Back to Business’!” concludes Baker.
The CACC was chartered in 1919 as a member-driven, independent corporation responsible for promoting the economic climate in the great Charleston area. For more information about CACC membership or joining contact us at 217.345.7041 or cacc@charlestonchamber.com
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