This strategic visioning process is guided by a Steering Committee, which includes public and private sector representatives from multiple aspects of the Murray County community as well as regional partners. The Steering Committee’s role is to review reports, provide insights and feedback, participate in discussions about the future direction of Murray County, and commit to the successful development of the Strategy. Their participation is invaluable to this processs.

Throughout the effort, Market Street will consult with the Steering Committee to keep the process on track and verify identified key issues. The project includes regular Steering Committee meetings sequenced around the presentation of project deliverables, with Market Street and key staff members from the county facilitating the meetings.

The Steering Committee:

Bernice Acuna, Murray County Pete Adams, Retired Educator Steve Anglea, Georgia Power Mitchell Awad, Eton Business Owner Jason Babb, Babb’s Body Shop Craig Brock, Precision Loopers Elaine Butler, Murray County Family Support Council June Callahan, Beaulieu Corporation Billy Cantrell, Mayor, City of Eton Barnett Chitwood, North Georgia Regional Development Center Rev. Danny Cochran, Holly Creek Baptist Church Lesa Downey, Appalachian Community Bank Edward Dunn, Businessperson Lamar Dunn, Leonard Insurance Agency Karen Edmondson, Murray County Family Connection Shelia Elrod, Business Owner Joel Etheridge, BB&T Floyd Franklin, Ft. Mtn. Homeowners Assoc. Lloyd Frasier, North Georgia Regional Development Center Merinda Silvers Frost, Social Services Tyson Haynes, Mayor, City of Chatsworth John Holt, Murray Medical Center Alan Kendrick, Cohutta Banking Company Olivier B. LeMaitre, Cohutta Springs Conference Center Steve Loughridge, Murray County Schools Nathan Leonard, Acree Jenright Accounting Dr. Celeste Martin, City of Chatsworth Kaye McCurdy, Murray County School Board Heather McEntire, Realtor Mickey McNeill, Murray County Schools Superintendent (retired) Steve Noland, USA Concrete Tommy Parker, Murray County Dan Penland, Cohutta Banking Corporation Jimmy Petty, Petty Dairies Phenna Petty, Murray County Schools Dr. Vickie Reed, Murray County Schools David Ridley, Commissioner, Murray County Rusty Ridley, 1st National Bank of Chatsworth Dinah Rowe, Chatsworth-Murray County Chamber of Commerce Matthew Sanford, Murray County Merinda Silvers-Frost, Angels at Heart Inc. Tom Starnes, Murray County Gary Tanner, Chatsworth Times Rev. Roger Vest, 1st United Methodist Church Jim Welch, Retired Commissioner