Meet your local chamber of commerce

Katrina Richardson
Contributor

Located just outside of downtown Monticello, the local Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of business professionals, and which serves the purpose of promoting economic well-being for the business and industrial community in the community.

For local businesses and non-profit organizations, there is a need for an organized group such as the chamber of commerce. There are many threats and challenges which a sole individual cannot tackle; but working together with other professionals, pooling their time and resources, important accomplishments can be made for the good of the whole.

Simply put, the chamber exists to be:
• The catalyst for business growth.
• The convener of leaders and influences who make things happen.
• The connector of people and resources.
• The champion for a stronger community.

How is the chamber funded?
The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is primarily funded by the investment of its members through membership fees, sponsorships and fundraising events. The maintenance of an adequate level of support from all business and professional interests in the community is essential to finance the programs that are vital to community growth and development.

Just like the businesses it serves, the chamber has to raise revenue to cover staff salaries, facilities and operating expenses, in turn, the chamber is able to operate without being a line-item in any government budget.

Despite the chamber's dependance on other local businesses and chamber members, the local chamber does not charge fees for the services it provides to its members and the community.

Over the past five months, the chamber has experienced a spike in requests for assistance from members, non-members, citizens and community organizations. And every time, the chamber has said, "yes, how can we help?" The demand for a strong chamber is greater than ever.

While the chamber is attempting to aid and serve the local businesses that have been hit hard by COVID-19, the chamber itself is feeling financial strain due to the virus pandemic. In particular, not being able to meet in person has caused a deep impact on the chamber's financials. Other sources of strain have come from the fact that local businesses are hurting, trying to make ends meet and are therefore unable to renew their membership or pay their dues on time.

“Our small but mighty staff has been working around the clock since March to support our members and the community through these trying times,” writes Chamber Executive Director Katrina Richardson. “And guess what? We're not going anywhere.”

Some of the ways that the chamber is continuing to help their community is through “Sew the Love” (mask-making and donations), “Spread The Love” (collecting jars of peanut butter for local food drives) and “Sharing The Love (hosting blood drives) campaigns.

“We absolutely love the privilege to serve you, and we do so gladly even if we don't know if the member in crisis on the other end of the line will even be open in two months, much less be able to renew their membership for another year,” says Richardson. “We are here to serve, and I can say with 100 percent confidence that we are doing so to the best of our abilities.”

“I said all that to say this. As soon as it is safe and feasible to host our programs and events in person again, we will be there waiting to welcome you; but in the meantime, we are doing everything in our power to provide you – our members – with the resources and access to the information you need to survive and thrive in these trying times.”

The chamber also works closely with the Tourist Development Council, connecting visitors to businesses in the Jefferson County community and promoting all of the natural beauty, activities, lodging, shops and restaurants that bring people from far and wide for a visit.

How can you help your local chamber?
Richardson asks that the local community pitch in by spreading the word about why it's important, now more than ever, to support your local chamber. In order to serve the community, the chamber has to pay staff time and divert funds into resources that in turn provide quality opportunities that their members have come to expect from them.

“We will continue to deliver our very best every single time,” says Richardson. “We just can't do that for free. You deserve the best and that's what we're here to provide you!”

Learn more about what the chamber can do for you:
If you are a blossoming business, new to the area, or a business or individual who simply hasn't
joined the chamber for one reason or another, you are urged to give the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce a call and ask them what they can do for you!

The chamber office can be reached at (850) 997-5552 and is located at 420 W. Washington St., in Monticello. The chamber's office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visit the chamber's website at monticellojeffersonfl.com to check out their membership directory, local funspots, upcoming events and more. Follow the chamber on Facebook at facebook.com/monticelloflchamberofcommerce to see new member spotlights, upcoming events, trivia, posts shared from local businesses and so much more!

Danny Collins
Chamber President

The president of the local chamber of commerce's board of directors is Danny Collins.
A native of Monticello, Collins is also the Government and Community Relations Manager for the Duke Energy Power Company.
When asked why Collins felt compelled to serve Jefferson County as a member of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Collins said: “We all have an obligation to do our part to make our community a better place.”
According to Collins, it is important for local businesses to support their area's chamber of commerce in order to help the organization continue to serve and support local business owners, in turn.
“As our community continues to grow and evolve, we will always need and welcome new voices and ideas. Our success as a chamber is dependent on the strength of our membership,” said Collins.
As a local, Collins is deeply invested in the Jefferson County community and enjoys being a part of what makes this area special to its residents.
“I love hearing how people from elsewhere describe our community. From our historic downtown to the natural beauty of our countryside to the unique shops and great restaurants, Monticello and Jefferson County leaves a lasting impression on all who visit us,” said Collins. “That’s how I know we truly have a slice of the good life right here.”

Sean Vickers
Vice-President

Sean Vickers, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Monticello, is the vice-president of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
While not a business owner, Vickers demonstrates the ways that a chamber membership can benefit non-profit organizations and community members. The chamber may focus on business development and promotion, but it also provides a detailed aspect of networking and connection for those hoping to be involved in their community – which is why Vickers joined the chamber in the first place.
“Being a member of the Chamber of Commerce has helped me stay in tune with the heartbeat of our community. It also helps me meet other community leaders and extend the reach and influence of First Baptist Monticello,” said Vickers.
Additionally, Vickers says that he has been called to serving others, and being involved in the chamber is one of the best ways to reach out to the community outside of his congregation.
While a native of Orlando, Fla., Sean Vickers and his wife, Carol, have served churches and communities for 25 years throughout Florida's various regions as well as South Carolina and Texas. The couple has three daughters and two sons.
While they have lived in many regions and states, Vickers says that he and his wife are “enjoying the local life” in Monticello.
“Jefferson County is a great place to live and raise a family. The people of Jefferson County are the true treasure of Jefferson County,” he adds.
To those who are interested in joining the chamber themselves, Vickers offers a warm welcome and encouragement. He believes that when joined together, local businesses and non-profit groups have more ability to accomplish missions of good and wellbeing in their communities. Together, Vickers says, they can do more together than either one could do alone. “The Monticello Chamber is a great place to stay informed about our community and a great place to network with other community leaders.”

Dori Collins
Treasurer

Dori Collins is a member of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and also serves as the board's treasurer.
According to Collins, one of the most important reasons a local business owner should join the chamber and participate in the social and developmental functions offer by the chamber will be so that the owner can reap the benefits of chamber networking. When involved in their local chamber of commerce, business owners get the chance to meet and mingle with other business owners, develop professional contacts and promote their business to a wider community.
Dori Collins is a native of Monticello and has lived here her whole life. With a native resident's view, Collins said that the aspect of Jefferson County that she loves the most is the small-town feel that continues to remain as Monticello's culture, even though new people and businesses regularly move into the area.
“Although we do have new people moving in everyday, it still feels like the small town I grew up in,” said Collins.
She also explains that she chose to join the chamber board of directors as a way of serving her community and making a difference in the lives of those the chamber aids.
“I like to feel like I am giving back in some way,” explains Collins. “Right now, that way is to promote local businesses and community involvement.”
As the board member, Collins has a wealth of experience that she brings with her into the seat of treasurer. For 10 years, Collins worked as an employee for Farmers & Merchant's Bank, then onto a Tallahassee construction corporation for 13 years. For the last six years, Collins has been working at Simpson Nurseries in the Monticello branch's Accounts Receivable office. Being a part of the local chamber, Collins says, has allowed her a chance to meet new people in the Jefferson County professional realm that she might not ordinarily encounter. The chamber has helped broaden her network and introduced her to people from all over the county.

Lynette Sirmons
Secretary

Real estate agent Lynette Sirmons serves as the secretary for the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, although she has been volunteering with the chamber since she was a teenager. After Sirmons first started getting involved with the chamber in the 1970s, she has had the opportunity to serve on the board of directors on-and-off for several years.
Sirmons grew up in Jefferson County as a fourth-generation farmer and a second-generation business owner; it was here that Sirmons attended school, married her husband and raised her children. As a child, Sirmons grew up on a farm with a pecan orchard and her family raised cattle and hogs while also growing white acre peas. She can recall often sitting in the back of her family's truck while selling bushels of peas around the Courthouse Circle.
Her ties to the Jefferson County community run deep, and Sirmons says that its that community tie that she loves the most about living in the area.
“There is nothing like driving through Monticello and waving to folks you know or walking the sidewalk knowing you will run into an old friend before you reach your destination,” said Sirmons. “I love the “everyone becomes family” attitude…such as when someone passes away, the entire community comes together to share in the sending home of the loved one. The best part is people genuinely love each other.”
Her connection to the Jefferson County business world is also deep. Sirmons' mother, Jeanette Connell, started North Florida Abstract and Sirmons was still a young girl when she began to learn about the abstracting and title industry. In 1978, Sirmons began her own journey in real estate, and today owns the two All Realty Services offices.
Sirmons has no doubt in her mind that having chamber of commerce connections has helped fuel her career and business life. “I cannot imagine not being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. The web of interactions have been part of my success,” said Sirmons. Giving back to that community of support, she adds, is a primary aspect of why she joined the chamber of commerce and continues to work with the organization. “I have invested money through the years buying and selling real estate. Giving back to a community that continues to support me is my Number One way to say thank you.”
Sirmons suggests that other business owners in the community, whether deeply rooted in the county or newly developing, should also join the chamber for the support and connection that it offers.

Katrina Richardson
Executive Director

Serving as the executive director of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is Katrina Richardson.
In 1988, Richardson moved to Monticello with her family and has since sunk her roots into the local community of Jefferson County. Before joining the chamber as its executive director, Richardson owned a local downtown Monticello business, Katrina's Kitchen. She began working at the chamber in 2014.
As the executive director, Richardson's responsibilities include: day-to-day operations, advocating on behalf of the Jefferson County business community, creating and distribution the chamber's weekly newsletter and serving as the chamber’s spokesperson and representative.
Richardson says that she felt compelled to serve Jefferson County through the chamber due to her love she has for the Jefferson County community. “ I love, love, love serving my community – it is simply my nature and comes naturally – I don’t feel like I am working!” says Richardson.
As the chamber's executive director, Richarson strongly supports local businesses who join the chamber and encourages others to seek out what the chamber can do for them.
“When you join a chamber, you can network with other member businesses. By networking, you get to know others in your community, develop partnerships and support other businesses,” says Richardson. “If your business is ever in need, you'll have a community of business owners to turn to for help.”
For 32 years, Richardson has lived in Jefferson County and raised her children in the community that is here. These years of local life have given Richardson an insight into how other locals live, work and play here in the county. While Richardson is involved with businesses and non-profits through her chamber job, she says that the aspect of Jefferson County's community that she most enjoys is how people pitch in to help each other in times of need.
Richardson has two children. Her son, Brad Richardson, married Jill Sims, lives in Thomasville, GA with his four children – two are in college and the twins are in the tenth grade at Brookwood. Richardson's daughter, Katrina Walton, married Jay Walton, lives in Monticello and has two children of her own – one is in college and one senior in high school at Aucilla Christian Academy. During the school year, Richardson is frequently spotted on the sidelines of Warrior games, cheering the Jefferson County team on.