Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce (right) with Heath Taylor (left), Chairman of GACCE Board of Directors and President and CEO of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. (Credit: GACCE/Russell Lahodny) 

Georgia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Chris Clark, CCE received the GACCE Legacy Award, the most prestigious prize awarded the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE). Clark received the award on Thursday, July 11 at the GACCE Executive Leadership Conference held on St. Simons Island, Ga. 

Pedro Cherry, 2024 Chairman of the Georgia Chamber and President & CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas said:  

“Through his dedicated years of putting the needs and welfare of our state’s business as top priority, Chris has more than earned this honor. His standard-setting Chamber leadership exemplifies what it means to grow and sustain commerce with purpose and heart. I’m so happy Chris is receiving the Legacy Award especially by those who understand and carry out the true missions of state Chambers every day—his esteemed peers.” 

Jim Shaw, President & CEO of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce and Clark’s nominee for the Legacy Award said:  

“Chris has championed chambers of commerce across the state, large and small, regardless of where they are located. He has been a local Chamber President and understands not only the importance of local chambers but their needs. He is a sterling example of servant leadership and one we in the chamber profession can all learn from.” 

For more than twenty years, GACCE has presented the Legacy Award to chamber executives across Georgia.  The Legacy Award is GACCE’s most prestigious award recognizing long-term executives who have excelled over a period of years in leading and innovatively building their chamber.  The award is based on the demonstration of excellence in areas of chamber leadership, organizational management, service to the profession, community reputation/involvement, and personal attributes. 

Click here for a list of past winners of the Legacy Award. 

Clark, a Georgia native, has served as the President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce since 2010. He is one of Georgia's three Chamber Certified Executives which is a certification earned by exemplifying commitment to the chamber of commerce profession, dedication to managerial and leadership excellence, and leadership in state, regional, and national chamber professional associations. Clark previously served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, and as Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Economic Development among other positions. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and Georgia College and State University. In 2023, Clark published his first book, The CEO Imperative, and made his debut Tedx Talk, Servant Hearted Leadership. Clark and his wife, Tiffany, and their son, Christian, live in Peachtree City and attend Dogwood Church.