RETIREMENT PARTY

Shortly before her retirement party, Martha Eaker dreamed that only four people showed up for the event. In fact, around 150 showed up to celebrate with the woman who has served as the president of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce for 12 years and is now moving on to new things in life.

The evening of Dec. 4, Chamber members, friends, family and public officials gathered at the Ringgold Depot to congratulate Eaker.

“Martha Eaker has been a cornerstone of the Catoosa County Chamber for the past 12 years as president and CEO,” says incoming Chamber president and CEO Amy Jackson. “She will be greatly missed in this capacity. I admire her commitment to the Catoosa County business community. She has served as a business leader, confidante, counselor and friend to many. I appreciate the legacy she leaves and look forward to continuing it with the Chamber staff, members and volunteers.”

Eaker’s last day as head of the Chamber is Dec. 31.

The list of dignitaries that greeted Eaker as guests were serenaded by the Ben Friberg Trio playing jazz ran long: Sen. Jeff Mullis, Rep. Dewayne Hill and his wife Wyondia, former representative Tom Weldon, Catoosa County Commissioners Steven Henry (chair), Ray Johnson, Jim Cutler and Jeff Long, Catoosa County Manager Alicia Vaughn, Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk and Catoosa County Coroner Vanita Hullender. From the city of Ringgold, there were Mayor Pro Tem Terry Crawford and council members Sara Clark, Randall Franks, Larry Black and Kelly Bowman, as well as City Manager Dan Wright. From the city of Fort Oglethorpe, Mayor Earl Gray, Councilman Jim Childs and City Manager Jenny Simpkins attended.

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