Villa Rica Leadership Luncheon: Speaker Karen Handel – June 8, 2022

Leadership Luncheon

The Villa Rica Leadership Luncheon Series brings together executives, entrepreneurs, educational leaders and innovators from throughout the region to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities facing their respective fields. Open to the public, the Leadership Luncheon Series is held bi-monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at The Venue in Downtown Villa Rica, Georgia.

For more information on how to become a sponsor, contact the Villa Rica Office of Economic Development at 678-840-1141.

Website: www.downtownvillarica.com

Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2021

Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Villa Rica Civic Center/V-Plex 1605 GA-61 Villa Rica, GA 30180

Cost: Open to the public: $15.00 per person

Ticket link: https://www.freshtix.com/events/leadership-luncheon-june-8-2022?utm_campaign=Freshtix&utm_medium=Freshtix&utm_source=Freshtix

Bio:

Karen Handel joined the Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Tomorrow as President and CEO in early July.  In her new role, Karen will be her considerable skills and experience to use to attract new businesses, support our existing industries, grow jobs, and align workforce needs.  Karen comes to the position with a unique background – gained from executive management positions in the corporate world and in public service.  

She’s held senior positions with KPMG (the accounting / professional services firm), the eyecare unit of the global life sciences company Novartis, Hallmark Cards, and the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  She served as CEO of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, leading the organization out of near bankruptcy while creating tens of thousands of jobs.

Karen also has had a successful career in public service and elected office.  She served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Dan and Marilyn Quayle in the Bush-Quayle White House and to Governor Sonny Perdue.

She was elected as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commission and as Georgia’s Secretary of State – leading the implementation of photo ID.  She lost an incredibly close race in the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff in 2010.  In 2017, Karen prevailed in that crazy race for Congress over in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District in what remains the most expensive House race in history.  

Unfortunately, Karen lost a hard-fought, very close election against now Congresswoman Lucy McBath.

However, that loss became Carroll County’s gain.  Karen and her husband Steve, along with their seriously spoiled pups Abbie and Sadie, live here in Carrollton and are about to break ground on a new home just down the way on Rhudy Street.