Tim Evans, CEcD, Vice President of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, was named the 2021 recipient of the Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence by the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) at its Annual Awards luncheon yesterday.  Evans is being recognized for his professionalism, integrity, leadership, commitment and contributions to the profession.  This award is the highest honor bestowed by GEDA on a professional economic developer.

Tim Evans is a native of Jackson County Georgia and has been in the Chamber and Economic Development field for over 27 years. He has served as the Vice President of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce since 2005.  Tim served previously at the Georgia Department of Economic Development in a number of roles, including Assistant Deputy Commissioner.    

Evans has held numerous positions on state and local boards for Chamber and Economic Development organizations, serving as Chair of GEDA in 2015.  He earned his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council in 2005.

A graduate of the Oglethorpe University, Tim also earned an MBA from the University of Georgia.  

Evans received the award at the Monday luncheon from Jim Steed, his former boss and mentor and previous recipient of the Rip Wiley Award, and Lisa Smith, Vice President of Community and Economic Development at Georgia Power.  Over 200 economic developers from around the state attended the ceremony in-person at the Georgia Tech Hotel at Tech Square in Midtown Atlanta.