The Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce has named Adrienne Harrison as its new president and Ali Dowdy as the executive vice president of membership services. 

Harrison will officially take over as president Sept. 22, and Dowdy’s title is effective immediately.

“I started my career in Bainbridge at the Chamber, so it’s kind of like going home,” Harrison said. “I’m excited about the new opportunity and this new way to serve the community.”

Harrison currently works as the executive director of the Bainbridge Convention & Visitors Bureau and also serves as the communications director for the city. Before taking those positions in May 2010, she worked at the Chamber as the Welcome Center director and special events manager.

Harrison will replace Diane Strickland who announced her retirement earlier this year after being the Chamber president for four years. Strickland’s last day will be Friday.

“We are extremely happy that Adrienne is joining the team at the Chamber. She has a proven track record of loving this community and is one of Bainbridge and Decatur County’s biggest cheerleaders,” said Jeff Findley, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are also thrilled that Ali will have an expanded role in the area of member services. In the few years Ali has been with the Chamber, her work has been very solid. We fully expect the transition from the great work done by Diane will be seamless.”

Harrison said that she will miss the people she works with in City Hall and the unpredictability of her current job, but she is excited to continue serving the community.

“I never know what I’m going to be doing one day to the next,” Harrison said. “One day I’m on patrol with Public Safety. One day I’m watching them pave roads. I’m just really going to miss the people and that aspect of it, never knowing what you’re going to be doing.”

“I grew up here,” Harrison said. “I came back here after college, and I just really have a heart for Bainbridge and this community and the people and the businesses that are here. I know this community very well.”

Dowdy said that she also looks forward to bettering the community with her expanded responsibilities.

“I’m very honored and excited about what lies ahead” Dowdy said, “and I look forward to working with Adrienne and moving the Chamber forward further and seeing what it can accomplish.”