Special to the Herald
Springfield -- Effingham County is poised at a pivotal juncture, navigating substantial business growth fueled by the prospect of the new Hyundai plant under construction in Bryan County and ancillary enterprises set to flourish in its wake. The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has named Susan M. Kraut as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to spearhead and navigate this transformative period.
Troy Allen, president of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, expresses confidence in the appointment, stating, "Susan Kraut brings the leadership and advocacy experience essential for championing local businesses as our county experiences unprecedented growth. Her profound understanding of industry best practices and dedication to sustainable economic and community development make her the ideal leader at this critical juncture."
With a wealth of experience exceeding 25 years in marketing, communications, strategic advancement, and operational innovation, Kraut joins Effingham County from her previous role as Vice President of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce in Newnan, Georgia.
Kraut shares her perspective on embracing this pivotal challenge: "I chose this role because I am passionate about serving as both a conduit and convener for smart, sustained growth, and I admire the impressive reputation of the communities in the Interstate 16 Corridor in working together collaboratively and symbiotically for the betterment of the region. Effingham County is on the brink of remarkable growth, and I am enthusiastic about leveraging my experience to guide and support local businesses. Together, we can create a thriving economic landscape for the benefit of all."
Kraut is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development’s Regional Economic and Leadership Development Program. She is also a Fellow of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation Fellowship for Economic Mobility and has been honored with the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 5-Year Service Award -- an association for which she also served as the Region 4 representative on the Board of Directors.
Notable achievements in her six-year tenure at the Newnan-Coweta Chamber include implementing countless innovative and value-added offerings for members, securing more than $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to advance small business and talent development programming, and successfully leading the U.S. Chamber Accreditation process, securing a 5-Star Distinguished re-accreditation with a perfect score in seven out of nine categories.
Deeply committed to talent and workforce development, Kraut contributed her unique, informed perspectives as an ex-officio member of the Central Educational Center College and Career Academy Board of Directors and the College, Technical, Agriculture, and Education (CTAE) advisory committee for the Coweta County School System.
Of the transition, Kraut shares, “I am especially excited about engaging with key organizations to share my time, efforts, and energy as a supporter and champion. I firmly believe that there is no stronger demonstration of partnership than to become part of the fabric of the community.”
In an intriguing personal journey before entering the chamber industry, Kraut held a strategic development role with the three-time Grammy-Award-winning Zac Brown Band.
She will relocate to Effingham County with her fiancée Grant, a 7th-grade math teacher, and her three daughters. Kraut is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future success of Effingham County amidst its burgeoning economic landscape.
