Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce names new president/CEO

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The Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce has a new leader.

Katie Collins has been named the chamber’s next president and CEO. Collins returns to the Greer Chamber after serving as the senior vice president of strategy and engagement for Greater Winston-Salem Inc. since 2018, according to a news release.

“In welcoming Katie Collins as our new President and CEO, we begin a fresh and exciting chapter for our Chamber. Katie brings a wealth of experience, innovative vision, and a deep commitment to our core values,” said Mark Hopper, GGCC board chair, in the release. “We are confident that under her leadership the Greer Chamber will serve our membership and the Greer community with excellence.”

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In her time at GWS, Collins has been instrumental in the organization’s growth and advancement, according to the release. Most recently she led the development and implementation of a $2.5 million ARPA funded workforce development initiative that included talent pipeline creation and a community-wide workforce brand.

Collins previously launched the GreerMade program, still held within the GGCC, which works to connect industry and education, according to the release.

“I am excited to return to the Greer community as the next President/CEO of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to leading the organization into a future where innovation, collaboration, and growth are at the forefront,” Collins said in the release. “Together, we will build on our rich heritage to create new opportunities for all businesses of Greer.”

Collins is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and brings both expertise and a personal connection to the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, the release stated. She earned the IOM designation through the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management and is a previous ACCE 40 Under 40 recipient.

Collins will join the chamber on April 23.