The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce has hired Katie Nations as its new director of marketing programs and events, a position Kay Burton held for more than 20 years.

Executive Director Garrick Combs said Nations began this month and from now on will be responsible for the implementation of the Chamber’s program of work.

“That will include the Chamber’s events such as the Ole Brook Festival, the annual meeting, the Christmas parade, the legislative affairs programs — Brookhaven Day at the Capitol and legislative breakfast — and our retail promotional events — Girls Night Out and the Christmas Open House,” Combs said. “She will be responsible for any expansions of the Chamber’s programs and working with the Brookhaven Tourism Council to better integrate our programs with theirs; the main objective being to boost economic impact and visitation.”

Nations previously worked for Lott Furniture and J. Allan’s for the last nine years, Combs said. Upon leaving the company, Nations was the store manager, he said.

“In her previous position, she participated in the Chamber’s retail program of work,” Combs said. “She was already familiar with the Chamber’s programs and can relate to many of our small business members due to her time in retail management. Katie is also a life-long resident of Brookhaven and has many professional and personal relationships that will serve her and the chamber well.”

The Chamber diligently searched for a replacement after Burton informed them she would be retiring at the end of June due to personal reasons, Combs said.

“Kay has worked to better our community and our Chamber for over 20 years. She has succeeded in that effort and exceeded all expectations as to what was thought could be accomplished for the good of the community,” Combs said. “She created Girls Night Out, she has been passionate about and vital to the Lincoln County Scholars, and her accomplishments are too many to list. I hope that everyone in the community will thank her for her dedication and her services.”

Combs said the Chamber hopes Nations will do big things for the organization.

“Katie is uniquely talented in management, event planning and sales,” Combs said. “All of which are needed in order to see the Chamber and the community grow. The board of directors and I look for our membership to increase and our program of work to expand. In addition, with the support of Jillian Ricceri, our membership director hired March 1, we will provide more value and support for our members going forward. We will re-launch the Small Business of the Month award in June and will begin quarterly membership seminars on a variety of business-related topics. Jillian and Katie have already begun a business visitation program and will continue to actively seek feedback from our local business leaders as to how we can further support them.”

Nations said she is excited to be a part of the Chamber’s team and looks forward to all of the great events happening in Brookhaven.

“I’ve been a proud Brookhavenite my entire life,” Nations said. “Our city is progressing in a wonderful way. As you can see as you drive around, businesses are thriving. A renaissance of arts, entertainment and new restaurateurs have emerged. I’m looking forward to help grow an already successful Chamber of Commerce.”