Meet Nikki Chandler! Nikki recently became the Vice President of Existing Industry at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. Nikki is a lifelong Hall County resident, a graduate of North Hall High and attended Gainesville College and Brenau University. She lives in Lula with her husband, Bradley, and nine-year-old daughter, Allie.

“I love helping people and seeing other people succeed. In my new role as Vice President of Existing Industry at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce I am going to be able to do that on a bigger level within our community…helping and supporting all the local industries that are members of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. I am so excited to be able to be a part of that,” she said.

Before joining the Chamber team Nikki was involved with the Chamber on the volunteer side for many years. The majority of Nikki’s career was in the poultry industry, she worked over a decade in it, starting as a payroll clerk and working her way up to managerial positions which included Payroll/Benefits, Human Resources and Safety. She also participated in all the community outreach for the company.

Nikki is a Leadership Hall County Graduate (2018-2019), was recently selected as a PAC Team member for Youth Leadership Hall, and is also an Ambassador for The Arts Council Board. She also held the Chair position for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s HR Council from January 2015-July 2015.

We want to thank Nikki for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.

Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “Being a volunteer with the Chamber for many years I was always in awe of what a great organization it was. The people working there and what the Chamber does for our community and businesses within our community is amazing, so when the Vice President of Existing Industry position opened up I thought it would be a great fit and wonderful opportunity for me. I applied for it and ended up getting it.”

Q: Can you tell us a little about how you got involved with the Poultry Federation and the industrial mechanics state funded course?
A: “My previous employer, Victory Processing was already involved in the Georgia Poultry Federation on a larger scale and a colleague of mine at a larger Poultry company asked me to attend a focus group on a project relating to the shortfall of Maintenance/Refrigeration applicants in the poultry industry, working in conjunction with Lanier Tech and the Georgia Dept. of Education. After a meeting with a lot of feedback, and a few emails later, Lanier Tech and Dept. of Education doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff.
“The Industrial Maintenance pathway was added to the State Funded Course list a few weeks ago. They are still working on an equipment list and suggested facility plans for this program, as well as finalizing the grant amount but the courses are ready for schools to add to their schedule. It makes me happy to know we can give high school kids more opportunities for a bright future…not all kids want or can be doctors or lawyers and I think it’s good to teach kids it’s okay to get dirty and work with your hands.”

Q: Where do you hope to be in five years, 10 years?
A: “I hope to still be at the Chamber and continuing to help support our industries and continue to have our amazing community exceed to its highest potential. I hope to continue to be involved as much as I can in our wonderful community.

Q:What is the best part about Hall County?
A: “The beautiful Lake Lanier sunsets!”
Q: What is your fondest memory of Hall County?
A: “When I was younger going to the fireworks on the 4th of July at the American Legion…it was always a fun community event with good food and entertainment.”
Q: What is your favorite Hall County landmark and why?
A: “The Chicken Statue/Monument, of course! I love it because the Poultry Industry is a huge part of the Hall County economy…we literally feed America with chicken.”
Q: Even for friends and some family, what is something about you that not everyone knows?
A: “I am a HUGE music buff…I love all kinds of music from oldies, alternative, indie, folk rock, old country to rock…I even like some heavy metal bands, like Metallica. I can pretty much quote every song from The Black Crowes, Ryan Adams, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones (those are my top favorites).”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.