Business leaders at Wednesday’s Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board meeting praised outgoing Columbia Chamber of Commerce president Matt McCormick, who is heading to Florida after 12 years here.
Mr. McCormick addressed the board and appreciates the opportunity he’s had in Columbia. He tells 939 the Eagle that he’s been blessed professionally and personally with his family in Columbia and is also proud of key accomplishments:
“We’ve really accomplished a lot of really great things. Whether it be from starting a leadership visit 12 years ago to the widening of I-70 or the (Rocheport) bridge across the Missouri River. And a number of other different programs, workforce development, early college,” Mr. McCormick says.
Matt’s final day in Columbia is Friday October 31. He’s accepted the president and chief executive officer position at the Ocala Metro Chamber in Ocala, Florida. Ocala, which has about 70,000 residents, is between Gainesville and Orlando. Mr. McCormick says while he’s grateful to have been in Columbia, Ocala offers a good opportunity for him:
“To take over a larger organization that does both Chamber and economic development, along with a number of other things like incubators and some things like that,” he says.
Mr. McCormick begins the new job on November 10.