April Cameron: CEO of the Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center

Port Wentworth is experiencing an era of positive change and growth led by dedicated professionals who are committed to making Chatham County’s most northern city a great environment for businesses, residents and visitors.

Women in leadership positions are positively impacting Port Wentworth not only in business, but also as elected officials, city employees and notably in leading the area’s Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center.

Last fall, this organization appointed April Cameron as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. The Chamber serves small businesses and large corporations and is the primary tourism and economic development organization for Port Wentworth. April is supported by long serving Business Development Coordinator Janice Cantrell.

April began her career working in advertising and publishing in Atlanta’s Gwinnett County. Relocating to Anderson County in South Carolina, she joined the nonprofit sector in 2011, working for Meals on Wheels in community relations. Her experience in fundraising, promotional initiatives and special events led her to become Director of Strategic Markets at United Way of Anderson County.

In 2018, April became the Executive Director of the Anderson Arts Center where she led operations and provided the vision for this 33,000 sq. ft. member-driven arts center with three galleries, two classrooms and a pottery studio. Her vision and leadership have ensured the development of highly talented teams and a collaborative workplace. During her years in Anderson County, April founded, published and edited a bi-monthly community magazine, Anderson Magazine from the ground up, working closely with the local Chamber of Commerce and many community leaders and members.

April explains why her career has prepared her so well for leading the Chamber, “The jobs I’ve held throughout my career have all been community focused. Each magazine was focused on a specific community (Gwinnett County and Anderson County) and the businesses and residents in that area. The nonprofit organizations where I’ve worked have focused on bettering the lives of those within the community in which I lived. So, working with the Chamber of Commerce, an organization that focuses on the Port Wentworth community, comes naturally to me. I believe it is our responsibility as citizens to make our own communities better in the ways we can.”

April attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro where she completed an undergraduate Communication Arts degree and where her passion for volunteering was born.

“As a communications major at Georgia Southern University, we were required to do an internship. I ended up at the National Kidney Foundation in Atlanta. It was a nonprofit organization, and we held several events that required the help of volunteers. People came from all walks of life to help with whatever was needed. With a relatively small staff, I saw first-hand how important it was to have ‘do-ers’ on your team—people who gladly helped and expected nothing in return—people who were there because of something they believed in. After that, I felt that giving back was just something you were supposed to do,” April explains.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in civic organizations like the Junior League, Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club, where an emphasis was placed on hands-on volunteering. I’ve been able to give my time to some great organizations that do such important work. I’ve helped to build Habitat for Humanity houses, served meals to those experiencing homelessness, packed weekend meal kits for children with food insecurity. Taking the time to be involved with others in different situations than oneself is eye-opening, teaches empathy, and I just believe it’s the right thing to do.”

She is a Coastal Empire native, raised in Metter, Georgia, and is looking forward to reconnecting with friends and spending time with family in the area.

“I am so excited to be back in an area that feels like home. I’ve lived away from the southern part of Georgia since 1994, and while I’ve had a wonderful life and fantastic experiences, there’s no place like home! I’m closer to my extended family, my sister lives in Statesboro, I have college and high school friends that I can see much more frequently. And, as much as it feels like home, it has changed so much that I also feel like I am on a new adventure. I am looking forward to exploring all the places and things that have changed and been added over the years.”

Working and living in Port Wentworth has been a very positive experience for April. “Besides the people I’ve met who have all been very kind and friendly, I absolutely love all of the different events held in the community. Some of the events are actually hosted by the Chamber, but the city also holds several things as well and we often collaborate. From what I’ve seen, there is a lot of community pride in Port Wentworth and that makes it feel very warm and welcoming.”

April really enjoys live music and is excited about all the opportunities to experience that in this area.

Spending time with family and friends helps to balance her work and life, according to April. “I have a daughter, Avery, who is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in Broadcast Journalism and we have a tailgate spot at Tailgate Station in Athens, where we spend most of our Saturdays in the fall,” April explains.

Her son, Cooper, is a senior in high school and is currently contemplating which college he wants to attend later this year.

“He plays sports so I spend a lot of time cheering him on from the stands,” said April.

Another way that this busy Executive Director spends her downtime is trying new restaurants—from super casual to high end, and she also enjoys attending wine tastings and visiting wineries to experience new varietals.