Kathy Tilley has been named the interim president and CEO of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce.

Tilley, who serves as the executive director of the Troup County Center for Strategic Planning, agreed to take on the position Wednesday morning, and her new role was approved by the chamber board soon after. Page Estes, who had served in that role for 10 years, resigned on Monday.

“I am looking forward to being involved in the future of the Chamber,” Tilley said in a chamber press release. “We have a strong, active membership base and the support of great organizations throughout the county. It is an exciting time in our community.”

Tilley will remain in her role as executive director of the Troup County Center for Strategic Planning during this transition time, according to the press release. She has been with strategic planning for five years and prior to that was in sales and marketing with Callaway Gardens for nearly 20 years. Tilley also worked as director of sales and marketing for DASH for LaGrange during its early years.

Marlene Rhodes, chairman of the chamber’s executive board, said that Tilley’s role on the Troup County Strategic Planning Board, which allows her to work with both county and city leaders, made her an easy choice for the position.

“I’ve worked with her over the past year, and she’s on our finance committee,” Rhodes said. “She’s already heavily involved and has shown in her current role in strategic planning that she has leadership abilities needed and is able to work with people to get great outcomes.”

The county is also completely on board with Tilley’s role with the chamber and is partnering with the chamber via this transition.

“A successful chamber is a strategic part of a healthy community and the center has a vested interest in helping the chamber continue its long history of excellence,” said County Commission Chair Patrick Crews in the press release. “The Center’s Board of Directors is in complete support of Kathy taking on this role.”

Dale Jackson, who is leading the chamber’s transition committee, said he plans to follow the same plan that the Troup County School System laid out to find its new superintendent. Jackson said that will mean engaging community partners and community leaders in a thorough search.