Immediate Past Georgia Chamber Chair Pedro Cherry (left)passes the gavel to
2025 Georgia Chamber Chair Ed Elkins.

On Tuesday, at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast, Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Norfolk Southern received the gavel to begin his term as 2025 Chair of the Georgia Chamber. Elkins was 2024 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber, and succeeds Pedro Cherry, President and CEO, Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, who continues his service with the Georgia Chamber as Immediate Past Chair.  

Stuart Countess, President and CEO, Kia Georgia will serve as 2025 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber and will become Georgia Chamber Chair in 2026. Kim Greene, Chairman, President and CEO, Georgia Power is the 2025 Chair of the Georgia Chamber Foundation and will assume the role of 2026 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber.

A full list of the 2025 Georgia Chamber Executive Committee can be found below.

Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Norfolk Southern and 2025 Chair of the Georgia Chamber said:
“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Georgia Chamber, building on the strong foundation laid by Pedro Cherry, Chris Clark, and past leaders. Georgia’s business community shares a commitment to growth. Guided by the Georgia Way, we’ll continue driving sustainable progress, supporting our communities, and ensuring Georgia remains a global leader and a beacon of opportunity for generations to come. As a representative of Norfolk Southern, a railroad that powers the nation’s supply chain from right here in Georgia, I’m especially proud to contribute to this mission and amplify the interests of Georgia businesses – big and small.”

Pedro Cherry, President & CEO, Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas and Immediate Past Chair of the Georgia Chamber said:
“Serving as Chair of the Georgia Chamber has been a true honor. I’ve seen firsthand the power of collaboration: working across partisan lines, forging partnerships between leaders like Governor Kemp, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies. It’s this unique recipe – the Georgia Way – that keeps our economy growing. My term as Chair is the latest example of Atlanta Gas Light’s commitment to the Georgia Chamber, which includes being one of the Chamber’s founding members. I am thrilled to pass the torch to my friend Ed Elkins, a leader who shares this vision. I am confident he will lead Georgia’s business community to new heights.”   

Chris Clark, President and CEO, Georgia Chamber said:  
“Pedro set a new standard of excellence for the Georgia Chamber, and I thank him for his outstanding leadership. The Georgia Chamber is excited to build on that success with new Chair Ed Elkins and the entire executive team. Working together, we will implement our new GEORGIA | 2050 strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.”  

The 2025 Georgia Chamber Executive Committee members are as follows. Names in italics indicate new positions.  

• Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Norfolk Southern – 2025 Chair 

• Stuart Countess, President and CEO, Kia Georgia – 2025 Vice Chair 

• Kim Greene, Chairman, President and CEO, Georgia Power – 2025 Chair Georgia Chamber Foundation 

• Boyd Pettit, Partner & General Counsel, GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group – Government Affairs Council Chair 

• Shane Jackson, President, Jackson Healthcare – Free Enterprise Fund Chair   

• Emmie Howard, President, Onward Reserve – Operations Council Chair  

• Scott Steiner, President & CEO, Phoebe Health System – At-Large Member  

• Leonte Benton, President, T. Dallas Smith Company – At-Large Member  

• Jim Chasteen, Co-Founder and CEO, ASW Distillery – Chair, Georgia Chamber SMART Health Insurance Plan  

• Pedro Cherry, President & CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas – Immediate Past Chair 

• Chris Clark, President and CEO, Georgia Chamber