Chamber officially announces new President/CEO

By:  Jennifer C. Prince, Media/Communications Specialist, NMBCOC

North Myrtle Beach, SC - The Board of Directors of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of R. Marc Jordan as President and Chief Executive Officer of the 1,200-member organization. 

Jordan has previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Memphis Regional Chamber, a position he held for ten years.  This marked a 33-year career serving in leadership positions with Chambers of Commerce including Raleigh, NC, Norfolk, VA, Rocky Mount, NC, and beginning with the Greater Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce. 

Marc is a graduate of Lynchburg College along with his wife Vicki, and prior to his chamber career he worked in Admissions and Development for Lynchburg College.  He also served six years in the Marine Corps Reserves.  Jordan has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career including serving as the Chairman of the Metro Cities Council and Chair-elect for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the professional association representing Chamber of Commerce executives throughout the country.  He relinquished his Chairman’s position after he and his wife decided to return to Lynchburg.  Marc has also been recognized by his peers as Chamber Executive of the Year in both North Carolina and Virginia and has served as President of his state associations in each state he has resided.  He is also a past President of the Lynchburg College Alumni Association and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Carey Brewer Alumni Award for outstanding accomplishments.

While in Memphis, TN. he was recognized seven years in a row by Memphis Magazine as one of Memphis’s Top 100 “movers and shakers”.  Marc has served on numerous local and national boards but is particularly passionate about volunteering his time to the American Heart Association and the United Network of Organ Sharing.  He is a past chairman of the Heartwalk in Memphis as well as the county-wide Heart Association.  He has also participated in the 2002 and 2004 U.S. Transplant Games.

In August of 2006, Marc was presented the Life Member Award from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), for his leadership and contributions as a chamber professional over his 33 year chamber career. This is the highest award bestowed by the professional chamber executives’ association.                           

Marc and his wife Vicki have three children:  Ryann, a Presbyterian College graduate, recently married and living in Decatur, GA., where her husband is enrolled at Columbia Theological Seminary; Paige, a Senior at Queens University of Charlotte, NC; and Marcus, her twin brother, a Senior at Lynchburg College and the starting goal keeper for the men’s soccer team.           

Marc and Vicki are excited about becoming a part of the dynamic North Myrtle Beach community. Jordan began his duties as CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce on March 3^rd, 2008.

A welcome reception was held on Friday, March 7^th at the chamber office to officially announce Jordan’s position.  North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley was present, along with several members from council and other local leaders.

Linley Dew, chairman of the board, stated “The search for a new president and CEO began in October of last year.  The search was facilitated by The Ewart Group out of Spartanburg, SC.  In January the Board of Directors came to a final decision, and on February 1^st announced Mr. R. Marc Jordan as the new president and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.”

“We are excited to begin working with Marc and growing our chamber for bigger and better things. There are great things on the horizon for our organization and Marc has a unique strength, which is the power of focus.  Marc has demonstrated his ability to drill down on an issue and arrive at the top. With Marc’s leadership ability, we will find as an organization that we will further gain direction and motivation. We owe this to our community and Marc will lead us down that road.” He continued.

Jordan’s duties include: maintenance of membership, interpretation of policy, implementation of the strategic plan addressing short term and long term planning, overseeing the staff and volunteers, managing income and expenditures, and most importantly developing personal contacts with key community leaders and officials on a local, state and national level. 

Jordan has set several goals for the chamber.  He stated, “First, we must differentiate ourselves from the competition.  Secondly, we must raise expectations and set high, yet achievable goals.”

Jordan plans to achieve these goals by being inclusive and passionate about all the chamber does.  “I believe we must collaborate; which means maintaining a strong sense of character and integrity.  And above all – not taking ourselves too seriously!”  Continued Jordan.

“A person driving up or down Hwy. 17 may not be able to see much difference in our communities, but the minute they stop here at the chamber’s Visitor Center and enter the doors, they will know they’ve stopped at a very special place – a place they will want to visit often, or perhaps maybe relocate their family or business to.”

The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce has been serving the local community for the past 8 ½ years.  The mission of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce

and its members, as a business organization, is to promote continuous improvement in the North Myrtle Beach area by taking leadership in economic, tourism, and civic development and by actively supporting social and cultural activities.