Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce president leaving position

Aug. 04--Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President Melinda Robertson Jackson announced Friday she's resigning from the position to pursue another business venture.

"It is bittersweet for me," Jackson said. "I will highly miss the chamber and the presidency. It has been an awesome opportunity."

Jackson will remain as the chamber's president until a new individual is named for the position. She plans to help the new individual transition into the role.

"The last two years have been a wonderful chapter in my life," Jackson said. "The impression the chamber of commerce has left on me is everlasting."

Jackson will join her husband, Kevin Jackson, in managing and running Edisto Home Care and Hospice in Orangeburg. The Jacksons are partners in the business with David and Charles Williams.

Jackson will serve as president and administrator of the hospice.

"I think it is God's will that it is time for me to put my energy into the hospice and build this organization so we can continue to be an integral part of Orangeburg County and the surrounding community, just in another aspect," Jackson said.

"My focus will be on health care and making sure great health care is given to all of our residents who are in need," she said.

Jackson and her husband opened the hospice in March 2017 and began accepting patients in June of this year. She says the hospice is currently serving more than 30 patients.

The hospice provides health services to those who are terminally ill and will help individuals be self-sufficient by allowing them to take advantage of all the health programs available.

The hospice will also educate caregivers and provide emotional and spiritual support to its patients.

Jackson became the president of the chamber in June 2016 following Dede Cook's retirement.

Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Tussey said Jackson has, "added a lot to the chamber and has brought innovative ways of revenue. She has built new relationships with the community and has done a tremendous job."

As an example, Tussey mentioned growth in the chamber's Community Builders program, which encourages local investment.

"Under her guidance, chamber membership has also grown," Tussey said.

Tussey praised Jackson's "dynamic, take-charge leadership style" as a great asset to the chamber over the last two years.

He also praised her ability to link workforce development with local schools.

"If you don't have the workforce, you can't help the businesses and they can't prosper and survive," Tussey said.

A six-member presidential search committee has been formed to find Jackson's replacement.

Tussey said there are many strong candidates in the community and "we are going to contain that to a local search."

"We will search until we find the right candidate to lead the chamber," he said.

Jackson praised the chamber's board for its expertise and help over the past two years.

She said the chamber has made great strides in a number of areas.

"The workforce initiative would be my legacy in helping maintain and continue to help folks in the small business world find a qualified workforce," she said.

Jackson says she also feels she has brought excitement and energy to the chamber.

"We have seen a huge increase in foot traffic and they have come in to see what we have to offer," Jackson said, noting the gift shop, which started under her leadership, has been popular.

She also noted programs have increased and growth has been seen.

"We are averaging ten new members a month," Jackson said. "I feel like we are capturing the small business audience."

In addition to her chamber duties, Jackson currently serves as the chairwoman of accommodations subcommittee on the Orangeburg County Consolidation Transition Committee.

Jackson also serves on several One Orangeburg County committees as well as being a member of the Santee/Eutawville Chapter of the Rotary Club.

She plans to continue to serve in all these capacities going forward.

Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD.

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