The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Jayne Berry as its new vice president.

Berry, a native of Tampa, Florida, is a May 2016 graduate of Troy University with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing.

She is already on the job at the chamber and excited to be putting down roots in Troy.

“When I learned about the opening here at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me,” Berry said. “I already loved Troy and, with my marketing major and the opportunity to be involved in so many areas of the community, working with the chamber would be the perfect job for me.”

Berry admitted that she was persistent in her efforts to become the chamber’s vice president.

“I really wanted to be here and God performed His magic,” she said, with a quick smile.

While attending Troy University, which also was a perfect fit for Berry, she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, on the executive board of the Marketing Club and a member of the Sorrell College of Business Student Advisory committee.

“While I was at the university, I received an opportunity to intern with the Fashion Office at AmericasMart in Atlanta,” Berry said. “I was a sales representative for the Therapy with Lisa Adams Showroom and a retail sales employee for E+ME.”

Berry said the summer internship was beneficial in giving her on the job experience.

The combination of sales and marketing degree and her work experience in the fashion industry has provided a stable foundation on which Berry said she plans to build a career.

“My idea for working with local businesses is to learn everything I can about every business,” she said. “Communication is the key. When it comes to building, maintaining and retaining effective business relationships, communication is vital.”

At the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Berry said her main focus will be on membership.

“We’ll focus on retaining the members that we have and on recruiting new members,” she said. “The Chamber of Commerce is vital to the growth of the business community and I’m excited to be a part of that growth. I want to be involved in all aspects of the chamber and I want to be involved in the community. I want my legacy to be one of helping the Troy and Pike County business communities grow.”

Berry is engaged to Goshen High School basketball coach Ethan Carroll.

“We both love it here and hope to stay for a long time,” she said. “I am enjoying the transition from a university student to a young professional in the community.”

Even though Troy is not a big, bustling city like Tampa where Berry grew up, it’s where she wants to be.

“Troy is in a great location,” she said. “It’s near Montgomery so if you want to go to the city, it’s less than an hour away. But what’s so great about Troy is the convenience. Most anything you want or need is only 10 minutes away. It’s a small town but with the advantages of a city. I love this way of life.”

Berry said she understands and appreciates the blend of city and country life that is Pike County.

“Here you have both,” she said. “Just outside of Troy, there is this beautiful rural area,” she said. “I am looking forward to learning more about Troy and Pike County and being a part of it all. I’m very happy to be the new vice president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and a resident of this wonderful town.”