The head of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce is leaving to take a job with the Atlanta Technical College.
President and chief executive officer Yulonda Darden Beauford’s last day with the chamber will be December 31. She has been with the chamber 10 years.
In her new job, Beauford will serve as vice president of economic development and external affairs at Atlanta Technical, which was the 2012 Technical College System of Georgia “College of the Year.”
“Yulonda has skillfully led the chamber. Her contributions as president and ceo have been invaluable,” Chamber Chairman Lon Langston said in a statement announcing her departure. “The chamber board of directors will explore options for a new president and ceo.”
Clayton Commission Chairman Jeff Turner expressed surprise Thursday at Beauford’s departure.
“I’ve known Yulonda for a long time. She’s been a great asset and someone who has always had Clayton County’s best interest at heart,” Turner said. “She’s done great things with the chamber of commerce and she will be greatly missed.”
Turner cited the chamber’s Existing Industry Visit, which Beauford helped start. The program brings together community and business leaders and enables major employers to talk about the county’s strengths and weaknesses and how more county residents can be hired.
“That’s been a successful initiative,” Turner said.
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