PRESS RELEASE

Hart County Chamber Hires Hope Hawkins as New Executive Director

 

Hart County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Hope Hawkins as its new Executive Director. “We are excited about hiring Hope as our new director. She has a vision for the Chamber and County that should take right off from the foundation that retiring Director Virginia Davis worked so hard to build over the past 20 years,” explains Chamber President Jay McCoy. Hawkins will officially begin her new role on August 23.

Hawkins is a native of Hart County and holds BA and MA degrees from Western Kentucky University. Following graduation from college, she accepted a position with the City of Bardstown which allowed her to interact with many small businesses and organizations in that community. She went on to work as an Archaeologist Coordinator for the state, a Preservation Planner for a company based in Alabama, and until recently Hawkins worked as a Cultural Resource Specialist for a firm in Paris, Kentucky. In 2019, she returned to Hart County and opened her own small business.

“I am so honored to accept this position. When I was in the process of moving my business to a storefront location this past April, the Chamber provided valuable guidance and support. That assistance, plus all the community support I received, helped me realize what a wonderful business community is in Hart County and how integral the Chamber is in business growth and development within our communities,” states Hawkins.

She went on to add, “As Executive Director of the Chamber, I look forward to being a resource for all stages of business development: those opening businesses for the first time, established businesses that are expanding, as well as businesses in surrounding areas interested in moving here. The opportunities are endless for our county and its residents. I also plan to bring promotional and administrative support, and business resources through technology and social media. We have all the opportunities a bigger municipality has to offer with the benefit of being a close-knit, supportive community. I will strive to promote growth, development, and community as Executive Director.”

McCoy says the Board is grateful to Office Assistant Lisa Rayburn and retired Director Virginia Davis for the extra help they’ve given during this transition period. He adds, “The Board looks forward to formally introducing Hawkins at a future event. In the meantime, I encourage the public to stop by and say hello.”