From left to right: Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Norfolk Southern – Immediate Past Chair. Kim Greene, Chairman, President & CEO, Georgia Power – 2026 Vice Chair. Beth Lowry, President & CEO, Holder Construction – 2026 Chair Georgia Chamber Foundation. Stuart Countess, President & CEO, KIA Georgia – 2026 Chair. Chris Clark, President & CEO, Georgia Chamber.

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast, held January 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, convened more than 3,000 business and civic leaders from across the state for one of Georgia’s largest and most influential policy events.

At the event, Stuart Countess, President & CEO, KIA Georgia received the gavel to begin his term as 2026 Chair of the Georgia Chamber. Countess was 2025 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber, and succeeds Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Norfolk Southern, who continues his service with the Georgia Chamber as Immediate Past Chair.

Kim Greene, Chairman, President & CEO, Georgia Power will serve as 2026 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber and will become Georgia Chamber Chair in 2027. Beth Lowry, President & CEO, Holder Construction is the 2026 Chair of the Georgia Chamber Foundation and will assume the role of 2027 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber.

A full list of the 2026 Georgia Chamber Executive Committee can be found below.

Stuart Countess, President & CEO, KIA Georgia and 2026 Chair of the Georgia Chambersaid:

“My focus this year is to continue our efforts in workforce development and ensure that every Georgian understands the value of economic development... We're showing every day exactly what Georgia manufacturing is capable of: innovation, precision, and world-class jobs.”

Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Norfolk Southern, and Immediate Past Chair of the Georgia Chamber said:

“It’s my honor to pass the gavel to a leader I admire, the first manufacturer to chair this organization in more than 30 years... Stuart Countess has a true passion for corporate citizenship, workforce development, and job creation.”

Chris Clark, President & CEO, Georgia Chamber said:

“Ed led a year of tremendous progress, and I thank him for his leadership. The Georgia Chamber is excited to build on that success with new Chair Stuart Countess and the incoming executive team. As we head into a busy legislative session, we will continue to serve as your trusted source for data, insight, and policy leadership.”

Governor Brian P. Kemp also announced his 2026 legislative agenda at the event, focusing on infrastructure, workforce and affordability.

Governor Brian P. Kemp said:

“Making everyday life more affordable for hardworking Georgians will continue to be my top priority, because Georgians know better than politicians how to spend their money.”

The 2026 Georgia Chamber Executive Committee members are as follows. Names in italics indicate new positions.

• Stuart Countess, President & CEO, KIA Georgia – 2026 Chair

• Kim Greene, Chairman, President & CEO, Georgia Power – 2026 Vice Chair

• Beth Lowry, President & CEO, Holder Construction – 2026 Chair Georgia Chamber Foundation

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

• Shane Jackson, President, Jackson Healthcare – PAC Chair

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

• Samuel L. Gude, III, CEO, Gude Management Group – At-Large Member

• Matt Reed, Owner & President, Georgia CEO – At-Large Member

• Jim Chasteen, CEO, Founder, ASW Distillery – MEWA Chair

• Ed Elkins, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Norfolk Southern – Immediate Past Chair

• Chris Clark, President & CEO, Georgia Chamber