David Jameson is the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce.

1. What was 2007 like for the Aiken Chamber of Commerce?

In 2007, the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce became a dynamic, growing organization, known for our interest in building our community and the businesses within our community. We unveiled value-added programming for the membership and began working on issues that will shape our economy for years to come -- like the attraction and retention of young professionals and looking for ways to provide community support for growth and development opportunities at the Savannah River National Laboratory.

2. What's in store for the chamber for 2008?

In 2008, the chamber will become more focused on making certain that the needs of business owners and managers are recognized by local government officials. We will commission an Equine Economic Impact Statement to help us understand the true value of the equine industry within the total economy. We will look for ways for Aiken to own America's nuclear renaissance.

3. What makes the Aiken Chamber of Commerce special?

Business owners and managers, plus the community in general, see the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce as the premier organization working daily to expand our economy and support business needs while making certain that we preserve the culture and personality of our community -- (things) that make Aiken so special. The Aiken mantra is simply put this way: "If you're lucky enough to live in Aiken, you're lucky enough."

4. What is the biggest challenge the chamber faces in the coming years?

The chamber is recognized as the "go-to" organization in Aiken. We must stay focused on our mission of making certain that Aiken maintains a vibrant economy for today and for future generations.

5. What is the most notable change that has occurred in the chamber?

The membership of the Aiken chamber grew by 23 percent last year. We now represent over 1,000 businesses, making us one of the largest chambers in South Carolina. This was accomplished through new programming, a focused direction, an impressive board of directors, devoted volunteers and a dedicated professional staff.