John Koon and Mike Hagan

With the ceremonial passing of the gavel, the voluntary leadership of the Greater Vidalia Chamber of Commerce was passed Friday night from the outgoing Chairman John Koon to Chairman Mike Hagan.

“I think we have one of the greatest Chambers in the state,” Koon said. “It’s been an exciting year. I have been honored to serve on the Board and as the Chairman twice. That doesn’t happen very often, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of the community, the Chamber staff, and the members. We have an active membership who support the work of the Chamber and it shows.

“We’ve had a great year,” he continued, “and it’s bitter-sweet that my time has come to an end, but I’m look forward to Mike’s leadership and where the Chamber will go.”

Koon also publicly thanked his wife Debbie for her support over the past year.

Chairman Hagan said he wants to continue  on the path in which Koon led the organization, and he says he’s excited about the coming year.

“We’re going to try to one-up John, but that’s going to be hard,” he jested. “But like John said, we have a great Chamber. I’m excited to see where we go in 2023, but one thing that I’m excited is for the groundbreaking on the new Great Vidalia Entrepreneurship Center. I’m expecting that in the spring, and it will be great for the city, the  Chamber and the region. A Chamber is all about building businesses and supporting the members and you won’t find a harder working  Chamber who cares more for its members than the Greater Vidalia Chamber of Commerce.”