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Shelley Davis has a long-standing Economic Development career in Northeast Georgia. She is regarded highly in the field for her specialty in Existing Industry Retention and Expansion and most recently her passion for Workforce Development.
She began working as an assistant at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce in 1994, and after a few years of service as the Hall County Commission Clerk, came back to the Chamber in 2000 to begin her focus in Economic Development. She was promoted to Vice President of Existing Industry and is now in her 21st year with the Chamber.
In response to the needs of the existing industry, Shelley has been lead in establishing the Greater Hall Workforce Development Task Force. In a one-year period since inception, the number of employed teenagers in manufacturing quadrupled in Hall County, Georgia.
Beyond high school and some college, Shelley’s expertise has been gained through on-the-ground training highlighted by intentional Economic Development Professional Development at Georgia Tech, GEDA, IEDC and she is a graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development and Leadership Hall.
Shelley has a passion for process and people. She has held positions on the United Way Board, the Friends of Recovery Board, the Hall County Drug Free Coalition, Celebrate Recovery Team, and in Sunday School Leadership.
Shelley is Georgia-born and has lived in both southern and northern Georgia but a majority of her life, in Gainesville GA. She has two girls and two grandchildren. And finally, Droopy and P-nut, also known as the dogs, are part of the family too.
Valery Lowe, a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, currently serves as the Director of College & Career Development for Forsyth County Schools. She received her undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia in workforce education. Prior to her current role, she served in the Superintendent’s Office with Forsyth County Schools and also as adjunct faculty member for Lanier Technical College. Her current works focuses on the growth and development of career and technical education in the school system, as well as community partnerships, student internships, teacher externships, and dual enrollment. Forsyth County is home to over 48,000 students, so a large focus is on workforce development and the skills of the future. Valery’s work focuses on pipeline partnerships and providing the skills necessary to meet the needs of a future workforce. Truly passionate about the Forsyth County community, Valery is involved with the Cumming/Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, South Forsyth Rotary, Bald Ridge Lodge, Jesse’s House, Junior Achievement of Northeast Georgia, UGA Alumni Association, Forsyth County Manufacturing Society, United Way, and many other non-profits. She is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Georgia and recently received awards from Georgia Future Business Leaders of America, Georgia Technology Student Association, and GCCTA as Administrator of the Year. She was also given the Lee Arendale Award for Vocational Service by South Forsyth Rotary. Valery and her husband Josh reside in Cumming with their two daughters.