The Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce has appointed Jeffrey Woolverton as its new executive director, according to an announcement made on Oct. 6.
“With an extensive background in driving strategic direction and a passion for community development, Woolverton brings a wealth of experience to this innovative and collaborative role,” the announcement said. “In more than 10 years since its launch, the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce has seen substantial growth in both business memberships and sponsorship support, with further expansion expected.”
Woolverton takes the reins after Alan Goodman, the CEO of Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, announced in June that he would be stepping away from his role “due to ongoing health challenges.”
In the June announcement, board chair Dennis Williams wrote that Goodman “has served our community with unwavering dedication, fostering economic development and building lasting relationships throughout the City of Brookhaven. His impact has been significant, and he will be greatly missed in this role. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and look forward to him continuing his involvement as a Goodwill Ambassador in the future.”
The board of directors had engaged with an executive search firm to find a new executive director – a compensated, part-time position.
“We are thrilled to have Jeffrey join us at the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce,” Williams said. “His expertise and vision will be pivotal as we work to deepen our impact and expand our reach. With Jeffrey on board, we’re confident in our ability to revitalize operations, significantly increase Chamber revenue and membership, and build a strong, recognizable brand for the Chamber within Brookhaven.”
In 2020, according to the release, Woolverton joined the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) as its new philanthropy director “where he transformed fundraising capacity and increased giving across a network of more than 300 organizations.”
At INN, he created the News Giving Roadmap, a program that helps nonprofit organizations assess their strengths and create actionable plans to grow revenue.
In 2021, he joined the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) as its first chief development officer. At ICIJ, Woolverton served as the organization’s fundraising executive and oversaw a team that generated revenue through fundraising activities, including foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
