The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) board of directors this week announced the hiring of Paige Green Hutto as the organization’s next president and CEO.
CCAA consists of chambers of commerce, their executives and staff, and members of business and community organizations that directly serve chamber of commerce work across the Yellowhammer State. The organization has a unique partnership with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), through which the two groups represent the interests and concerns of over 1 million hardworking Alabamians.
A seasoned chamber professional, Hutto has spent the last 13 years as president and CEO of the Gilmer Chamber in Ellijay, Georgia. Her chamber career started in 1998 when she was hired as tourism director for the Eufaula Barbour Chamber of Commerce in her Alabama hometown.
“I am thrilled to be back in my home state and honored to be asked to help lead an organization dedicated to a profession that has given so much to me,” stated Hutto. “CCAA is dedicated to providing professional development, networking and advocacy efforts to our local chambers. Strengthened by The Partnership with the Business Council of Alabama, CCAA is poised to help all of our state chambers thrive. This in turn helps Alabama grow.”
Throughout her career, she has worked directly with the strategic operations, financial viability, communications and brand strategies of the organizations she served. In a release, the CCAA board cited Hutto’s experience in event management, investor relations, governmental advocacy and fundraising as key skills they sought.
A 2015 graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute of Organization Management (IOM), Hutto served on the board of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and earned her Georgia Certified Chamber Executive (GCCE) in 2019.
She will fill the vacancy left when Jeremy Arthur, longtime CCAA president and CEO, left to lead the Government and Economic Development Institute at Auburn University.
“Jeremy leaves big shoes to fill, but I am confident that with his continued support, Brenda’s continued role and the continued support of the board of directors and membership we will see a bright future for CCAA,” Hutto added.
Hutto will assume her new role effective April 5.
Dean Mitchell, CCAA board of directors chairman and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to announce Paige as our new president and CEO. Her chamber organizational knowledge, strategic programming, excellent communication skills and fundraising background makes her an outstanding leader and the perfect fit for CCAA. The CCAA was blessed to have Jeremy Arthur for nine years, and Jeremy made meaningful, impactful and substantial contributions to our organization, profession and membership. We have no doubt that Paige will build on the strong foundation that Jeremy built and help chambers continue making a difference in communities all across Alabama. Welcome home and welcome to the team, Paige!”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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