Sue Parr, president of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, has been named among Georgia Trend magazine’s “Georgia 500,” alongside several local leaders lauded by the publication for their role in economic development.
Last year Georgia Trend premiered its annual Georgia 500 edition, in which it selects—via submitted nominations—and acknowledges the state’s most influential leaders in a wide range of fields, from agribusiness to tech research, healthcare to finance.
Parr, who has been president of the Chamber since 2005, was named in the inaugural list as well as the 2023 edition, and was also chosen among the magazine’s Most Notable Georgians list.
Both the Chamber and the magazine referred to her policy work, such as her advocacy for local excise tax-free industrial energy costs and abundant transportation infrastructure, and supporting the state’s second back-to-back 10-year, 13-county Transportation Investment Act (TIA) program.
“Being one of many Augustans who are working to help shape a bright future for our community, it is a significant nod to all of our region that we are capturing the attention of statewide thought leaders,” said Parr.
Cal Wray, president of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, was also named on the list for the second time, this year, citing is involvement with bringing the Aurubis Richmond and PureCycle plants to Augusta Corporate Park.
Margaret Woodard, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta (DDA), was recognized in the list for the first time this year, noted for her role and garnering a $1.76 million federal grant toward the microenterprise incubator along the Broad Street corridor.
The Georgia 500 also included Bennish Brown, CEO of Destination Augusta, for his second year, acknowledging his influence in the field of hospitality and noting the Authentic Augusta Experiences program. Tom Clark, executive director of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Eisenhower, was named in the Georgia 500 for his second year in the field of government, acknowledging his role in developing Fort Eisenhower’s Cyber District and local K-12 cyber education programs.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
