The Eastman/Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Judy Hemphill Madden will be serving as the new President/CEO/Economic Developer for Dodge County.
Madden is the daughter of the late Eugene and Lillian Hemphill. She is a graduate of Dodge County High School and went on to attend Middle Georgia College and Georgia State University in Atlanta. While living in Atlanta,she served eight years on staff for Governor George Busbee.
Madden is no stranger to most business leaders in the Eastman/Dodge County area. She served as the executive director of the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce from 1986 to 1988. During her tenure, with the support of state and local leaders, a number of industries were recruited to Dodge County. Those accomplishments have had a lasting impact on the local economy over the years. After leaving Dodge County she served as executive director of the Franklin County Industrial Authority. Through the leadership of state and local leaders, a Belgium based company was recruited to locate in Franklin County thereby creating 300 new jobs. Madden lived in Athens for eight years, serving five years as assistant to the senior minister and as chief of staff of the Athens First United Methodist Church. This church currently serves over 3,100 members.
Madden served from 2002-2005 as a George E. Couch Foundation trustee. She was also the Georgia General Assembly chairperson for Arts Day in Georgia in 1997 and 1998. Madden participated in the Leadership Georgia Class of 1991. She continued to serve as a spouse participant on the Board of Leadership Georgia from 1994 to 1997. Madden served on the Elberton Country Club Board in 1995 and 1996.
She has a daughter, Ashley, who graduated from Athens Academy and is presently a sophomore at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.
“We are very proud to have Judy back in Dodge County”, stated Kennon Graham, chairman of the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. “She obviously has the experience needed to continue growing our local chamber. The community is very fortunate to have someone with Judy’s leadership capabilities.”
“We are very excited to have someone with Judy’s expertise working on industry recruitment for our community”, stated John Jessup, chairman of the Eastman/Dodge County Development Authority.
Madden began her new position as the chamber president on Wednesday, September 16, 2009.
