Meet the new Executive Director of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce

Cindy Cobb outside the Chamber of Commerce office, 144 East Main Street, Forest City.

The new Executive Director of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce is spending much of her days visiting chamber members and non-members as she begins her second month on the job.

Cindy Cobb became the new executive director on May 16 and is greeting visitors at the chamber's new office at 144 East Main Street in Forest City.

Prior to being named director, Cobb began working with the Chamber in March as a sales/membership coordinator. Since beginning that position, more than 40 new members have joined the chamber.

"As the Director, I am working on continuing to visit members and non-members. My goal is to visit every business in the county, inviting them to join the Chamber, but also listening to their concerns and how the Chamber can be an advocate for them, as well as sharing the benefits of belonging to the Chamber," Cobb said.

She said every community, every business is important and the Chamber can be a tool for unity in Rutherford County through networking at Chamber sponsored events, following the Chamber on its Facebook page or using the new website www.rutherfordcoc.org.

"The vision I have for the Chamber is one where we are continuing to grow in our membership, our diversity, working together to help Rutherford County to be a great place to live and for our local economy to prosper," Cobb said.

Among the projects ongoing at the Chamber office on East Main Street in Forest City are window displays featuring a particular chamber member. The June window display is from Frame House Gallery and Gifts on West Main, Forest City.

Cobb is a native of Rutherford County and grew up in Spindale and Forest City and has lived in Rutherfordton since 1994.

A graduate of East Rutherford High School and Western Piedmont Community College, Cobb most recently worked as an insurance agent with her father's insurance agency.

Cobb is the daughter of Richard and Brenda Champion, the sister of the late Ricky Champion.

Cobb and her husband Andy have been married 35 years and have two sons, Jonathan and Alex and a daughter Rachel who will begin college this year.