Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce announces new staff

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce is starting 2024 with two new staff members.

Brittany Schenck will fill the Chamber’s newly-created Director of Community Relations role, supporting and promoting the Chamber’s marketing and communications efforts in alignment with the Chamber’s mission and strategic directions, Chamber President Julie Paysen told WNEG News.

She added that Schenck’s work will include maintaining the Chamber’s strong social media presence, as well as creating marketing materials and creating a solid membership program and events calendar.

Schenck runs a home bakery business, “Cookies by Britt,” and previously worked as Family and Student Services Coordinator with Cherokee Creek Boys School.

Rachel Washburn has joined the Chamber as the office administrator and will be managing the day-to-day

responsibilities in the office working in a part-time capacity, as well as handling the Chamber accounting responsibilities, financials, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Washburn previously worked at Fields-Accounting & Consulting, where the Chamber was a customer before the decision was made to bring those responsibilities in-house with the Chamber, Paysen said. 

Samantha Rickman, who has worked at the Chamber for several years and is a familiar face to many who attend Chamber Ribbon Tyings, took a position with Bowen & Watson at the end of 2023.

Paysen said, “We were already planning to expand our Chamber Team when an excellent career opportunity for Samantha Rickman became available with Bowen & Watson, a local commercial builder and loyal Chamber Partner. Though it was hard to see her go, we are grateful for her and for the four years of dedication and commitment to excellence she demonstrated on behalf of our Chamber.”