Merriman picked for new post at chamber

Newnan-Coweta County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Leslie Merriman has been named the new Director of Strategic Growth with the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to have Leslie join our team, and I know she will do a great job helping our chamber continue to grow,” said Candace Boothby, President and CEO. “She is already well-known in the community for her outstanding leadership and organizational skills, and we can’t wait to work with her in this new capacity.” Most recently, Merriman served as the Executive Director of Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity, Inc. She is a graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A. in Communications. Boothby said while with Habitat, Merriman was part of a team that was able to help the community by growing the local organization and working to create simple, decent, affordable permanent housing for families. And when the opportunity came her way with the strategic growth position at the chamber, Merriman realized that working in the business community is simply another way to serve in the community. “The change is really an ideal fit,” said Merriman. “I see (the move to the chamber) as helping Coweta County become even better, but in a broader sense.” Merriman’s responsibilities will include program development, leadership development, strategic member engagement and leading organizational growth efforts through member recruitment and retention. Creating these new relationships is a challenge that excites her, said Boothby. “I very much enjoy being out in the community and building relationships,” said Merriman. Boothby said Merriman was an early graduate of the chamber’s Leadership Coweta program. “This program educates and prepares a diverse group of community, government, business and nonprofit leaders to work collaboratively in addressing local issues,” Boothby said. “Like many who have benefited from Leadership Coweta and other chamber programs, Leslie believes in the chamber’s message of promoting economic prosperity for its members.” Merriman and her family have been residents of Coweta County since 1993.