Chamber of Commerce Bids Good-Bye
To Billy Sam and Serves Hot Dogs & Cake

 

by: Bobby McDonald

In what has become a tradition at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Ambassadors hosted this month's Business After Hours event and coincided the gathering of members with a good-bye to longtime Chamber of Commerce Director, Billy Sam Elliott, on Thursday afternoon. "It was the perfect opportunity to host the event and to give a final appreciation for Billy Sam's over 16 years of service to the organization," expressed Chamber Director and Ambassador, Bob Weaver. "It was a nice evening to host an outside event and to let Billy Sam and his family know how much the community appreciates his years of service to the organization!"

 

Billy Sam Elliott received warm wishes from community leaders upon his retirement from the position
of Executive Director of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Here longtime supporter Lynda Hager
gives him a hug and well wishes on his retirement.

 

Elliott will be leaving the organization on Friday and seeking some more time with his family. He admonishes that he "isn't going to quit, but plans on spending more time doing things at home!" Many wonder how long the "honey-do" list will be and how long it will be before he's actively involved in some other kind of community project!

 

Chamber Ambassadors and Directors served hotdogs and cake to members who dropped by at Thursday's
event on the Civic Center grounds.

 

Thursday's event featured hotdogs, cake, and refreshments served by the Chamber Ambassadors Organization, the "frontline" for membership development and ribbon cuttings around town. "We're actively involved in soliciting new members and making sure that ribbon cuttings are conducted, when requested," explained Jackie Thornton, a member of the group. "We're the 'welcome wagon' for new businesses in Hopkins County!"

 

 

Directors and Chamber Ambassadors visited with those who came to Thursday's event at the Civic Center
grounds.

 

Meredith Caddell was selected in March to replace Elliott as the Chairman and CEO of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and began her duties on May 15th. She has expressed her enthusiasm for the organization and the many upcoming functions, that include the Texas State Ice Cream Contest, the 4th of July Celebration, and the World Champion Stew Contest, scheduled for September. "We've got a very busy schedule of events and loads of work to accomplish," expressed Caddell, as she outlined the upcoming activities. "It will be a very busy summer and autumn for the Chamber board, staff, and volunteers."

 

Meredith Caddell, center, has "taken over the reins" at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
as Executive Director of the organization.

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