Chris Cutts, the 2020 Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce Chairman, was presented with an honorary gavel by 2021 Chairman Dereck Sumner at the Chamber's January Board of Directors meeting. Cutts passed the ceremonial gavel to Sumner to signify Sumner taking over the role of Chairman. This ceremony usually takes place at the annual Chamber Banquet, which as been postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Cutts served the Chamber well during the tumultuous 2020 year, and said he appreciated the Chamber board’s continued involvement throughout a challenging year.

“Thinking back to last year’s banquet, we could never have anticipated the kind of year we’ve had,” Cutts said. “Like I said at the banquet, investment and involvement are still important. We all need to invest in our community and become involved. We always need new folks to come in and carry the torch.”

Cutts also said that Tifton has a lot to be proud of.

Sumner acknowledged that Cutts had done a good job as Chairman during a challenging year, and added that he was honored to be a part of the Chamber family and is looking forward to working with the Board.

Before passing the gavel, Cutts introduced new Board members Curtis Akins (community volunteer), Todd Brey (American Textile), Alec Joiner (Edward Jones), John Jordan (Heatcraft), Susan McBrayer (University of Georgia Small Business Development Center), Ronald Norman (JR Lawn Care), Jodie Snow (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College) and Lynda Turner (Georgia Living Center).