Chamber of Commerce Hires Executive Director

Andrea “Cissy” Benton, long-time resident of the Farrar community in Jasper County has taken the position of executive director for the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (COC).

The position had been vacant since Anna Mickle resigned at the end of September last year. Mrs. Benton began work this week, and found herself without an office. Electrical problems in the visitors’s center have forced the city to close it temporarily. The American Red Cross blood drive scheduled to be held there today will be held instead at Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College St., arrangements that Mrs. Benton made when the problems occurred at the city facility.

{{more}}

Mrs. Benton attended Jasper County public schools and Piedmont Academy, and earned an agricultural business degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton.

She has extensive career experience in public relations and customer service with event planning skills. Mrs. Benton had volunteered at the COC for several months before considering the position.

Mrs. Benton is married to Mike Benton and they have three sons, two of whom are in college now. They have all participated in the Monticello Community Band. The family attends First Independent Methodist Church in Eatonton where Mrs. Benton is a church musician and choir member.

She has been a Jasper County school band booster officer and member for 11 years.

Mrs. Benton served for more than 20 years as a voting poll officer for the Wyatt precinct. She worked for 13 years as a mail carrier in Eatonton for the postal services, and left to pursue a professional path in business.

Mrs. Benton lists one of her main interests as community, and sees the COC as a way for her to serve the community and help the COC serve the community. Other interests include horses and antiques.