Congratulations to Allen and The Greer Chamber of Commerce. We know he will be missed in Greenville while being a huge success at his new Chamber.

Allen C. Smith was impressed by what he saw of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.

“They have excellent leadership there, just a real engaged board, and I want to continue that engagement,” Smith said from his North Carolina office.

Smith, 29, was picked to replace John Kimbrell as president of the Greer chamber. He will start his duties June 7.

He currently is the senior vice president of the five-star accredited Greenville-Pitt County (N.C.) Chamber of Commerce. He's also served as vice president of operations during his five-year tenure.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management and, in 2009, he was selected by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives as one of its “Top 40 under 40.”

Smith's experience and accomplishments as a chamber leader appealed to the five-member Greer search committee during the application process, said Brian Martin, chairman of the Greer chamber.

“He understands all of the aspects of a chamber of commerce, from a legislative side, from a membership side, from a financial side. He has all of those components, and he has a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm for the position,” Martin said.

Smith said his priority will be to continue the momentum Kimbrell started.

Smith graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in political science and a minor in communications. He's also a member of Rotary International District 7720, where he is assistant district governor.

Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100511/GGN/305110048/Allen-Smi...