Bursting with Perry Pride Darlene McClendon, Perry Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

In April of 2014 the Perry Chamber of Commerce hired a new President, Darlene McClendon. McClendon was the former president Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. McClendon said she never knew her calling in life until she went through a program at the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber.

“I was born in Atlanta and my first career was I worked for the Air Force Association as an air traffic controller,” said McClendon. “If you ever visit the Museum of Aviation and see the red and white tower as you turn in that was my first office. That was a wonderful experience, but I later in life found a calling that I didn’t even realize was in me.”

McClendon was also licensed to sell insurance and through the company she worked for she had the opportunity to go participate in the leadership program at the Forsyth-Monroe Chamber. She said she learned the roles of the chamber, local development authority, and tourism in the program.

“I remember coming home and telling my husband that I can work for what I relay as tourism, development authority and chamber, community development,” said McClendon. “That next year Tiffany Andrews, who was president of the chamber and executive director for the development authority, was looking to bring on someone to help with membership and coordinate events. Well the opportunity was presented and I took it. That was in 2010, and then I became president of that chamber in April of 2012.”

McClendon then saw another opportunity in Perry. Going through the interview process she said her interest developed more and more for the city.

“I knew Perry was rich in political history, but going through the interview process I learned how strong the chamber board was, and how strong the partnerships within the city, surrounding cities, and county were,” said McClendon. “So I really wanted to be a part of this great community, and I am very grateful that I was chosen.”

Fast-forward to the present McClendon and her board have been very active since April of 2014 by continuing to provide the best for their members, community and continuing to build their strong partnerships with their local government entities. One initiative they started last year was, “Grow Business, Grow Community”.

“The chamber is here to help bring business, but in order to do that you have to have a good strong civic community,” said McClendon. “The heads of companies always look not only for a good place for their business, but a place for a great lifestyle for their employees. Here in Perry we want to help highlight the unique things we have to offer.”

Another initiative McClendon and her staff started in 2015 was the “Perry Proud” movement.

“We held a kick-off event for our Dogwood Festival last year,” said McClendon. “We brought a famous artist, Peggy White, down to paint car windows, and store-front windows for the festival. Some of our members also created and sold Dogwood themed items so within this event it showed our pride for our city. So now we try to incorporate “Perry Proud” in all of our events. The community really loved it.”

McClendon said even though it has been a fast two and half years being President of the Perry Chamber she is excited for the future.

“There is still so much potential in growth for our city,” said McClendon. “Right now at the chamber we have 400 members and we have a goal to reach 500, and I believe we will. With the unprecedented cooperation with our partners such as our state legislators, council, and development authority everyone is going to want to come here to Perry and Houston County. We are not only a good place to live, work, and play, but we are a community with a sense of family and heart.”

McClendon is married to her husband Jay who is a graduate of Mercer University Med School, and works with the Eagles Landing family practice in Jackson. McClendon and Jay have a son named Kelly who will start law school this fall and a daughter Jessica who will pursue her masters degree in environmental studies this fall. McClendon said both her children live in Colorado.

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