Jim Fair
The ceremonial green ribbon awaits new President/CEO Mark Owens to inaugurate a new era at the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Fair
Mark Owens and his wife, Melody, share a moment together during today's ribbon cutting.
Jim Fair
Mark Owens' first act as President and CEO of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce was a ribbon cutting at Cari's Creations on Trade Street.
Mark Owens will usher in a new era in Greer when he cuts the ribbon to enter an office he has sought as the next phrase in his business life.
The Chamber’s Executive Board affirmed Owens on Wednesday as the new President/CEO to replace Allen Smith, who resigned to take a similar position in Spartanburg.
“I am humbled and honored to serve our members, executives, board and this community,” Owens said. “I get to be a representative of something way bigger than myself. The reason this community is so successful is people before me were such a great success.”
Owens, vice president, for two of his past four years with the Chamber, was selected from a field initially trimmed to more than 35 national candidates to the final five – from the Carolinas and Midwest.
“It was an emotional reaction, exciting and incredibly humbling,” Owens said of being introduced to the executive board.
Owens called his wife, Melody, and then his parents to share the news. “It was an emotional moment for both of us because we are so invested in this community,” Owens said. Owens said his father offered, “typical fatherly advice. ‘Well, you better get busy,’” Owens said with a laugh.
“I am very excited for Mark. He loves his community,” Melody said. “We’re proud to be able to work in the community we love. It's a family perspective. I'm very proud of his achievements and he will be a great leader.”
Ken Harper, chairman of the executive board, led the search committee during the two-month process. “Our process was one where the candidates had to pass the test. We had seven different categories. Mark has the credentials, passion and ease of entry into the role.
“It has been a pleasure to watch Mark mature and make numerous contributions to the Greer community over the past several years, and we find it fulfilling to now see him so well-positioned to now assume this leadership role at the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.”
While Owens was the popular choice of his staff he endured learning about the qualifications of candidates already in a role he was seeking and in communities larger than Greer. “I was confident in my preparation for this position and what I learned,” Owens said.
“I think the process was tougher than the final days once the board let it known they would be making a decision Wednesday afternoon,” Owens said. “We were so busy the time went by quickly.
Owens is a 2007 graduate of Presbyterian College and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management, serves as a board member for the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives representing Greer. He was promoted to the newly created position of vice president of the Greer chamber in 2012.
“Allen was a terrific mentor. He knew my aspirations and helped with my professional development, communication and encouraged and inspired me. But he also pushed me,” Owens said.
Owens’ promotion leaves a vacancy at the chamber. Harper said the board won’t be filling the vice president’s position per se more than distributing responsibilities and reorganizing. Hiring will be discussed at a later date.
“The best part of this is we have a team in place. I wouldn’t be here if not for them,” Owens said.
• Raegan Loftis contributed to this report.