by Hanna Singh
The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (RLCC) has named Elizabeth Turnley as its new CEO and promoted Bevin Hicks to executive vice president.
Both women, deeply committed to supporting Ruston, have expressed their excitement in collaborating and continuing to make the city the best it can be.
Turnley and Hicks share a profound dedication to keeping Ruston and Lincoln Parish a special place to live and work. Within their new roles, the team intends to promote new growth within the business community and advance the chamber’s mission.
Turnley, a former board member for the chamber, had most recently served as chairman of the board. Coming off of that role, she learned of the open CEO position and saw an opportunity to continue to support her beloved town.
As a longtime Ruston resident since her days at Louisiana Tech, Turnley believes that the town of Ruston is a well-kept secret with an unmatched charm. With her extensive experience on the chamber board, she brings passion and dedication to the area withing her new role. Turnley shared how she and Hicks have discussed their plans moving forward.
“Bevin and I are excited about his new venture and looking forward to continuing what the chamber board has already set forth,” Turnley said. “In the fall we had a day long strategic planning day, where we discussed how we will move forward. We just want to continue to support these local businesses, big and small, in their endeavors, whatever they may be. We want to be there for them.”
Hicks, the newly promoted executive vice president, shares Turnley’s enthusiasm for supporting local businesses. Formerly the marketing and events manager for the chamber and the publisher of Lola magazine, Hicks brings a strong passion for North Louisiana’s development. She shared her feelings about stepping into a new position and joining Turnley on this journey.
“After nearly 20 years in publishing and marketing, I joined the chamber as the marketing events coordinator to become more involved in my beloved hometown. I didn’t realize how quickly my passion for supporting local businesses would grow,” Hicks said. “I am honored to step into the role of Executive Vice President under the leadership of Elizabeth. Her dedication, wealth of experience and clear vision for the chamber make her an exceptional leader, and I am very grateful to work alongside her. It is a privilege to be part of Elizabeth’s team, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.”
Turnley echoed a similar sentiment in regard to working with Hicks.
“Bevin is going to be a huge asset to the chamber,” Turnley said. “She is a very talented individual and will bring a lot to us and what we are able to do moving forward. I am looking forward to working with her.”’
Beyond continuing to work on the chamber’s mission, the team has already begun work on several ongoing and new initiatives in Lincoln Parish. The chamber remains committed to working on the Workforce Development Grant Program and Small Business Month soon approaching in April. Hicks shared that they have also recently partnered with Lincoln Parish Schools on the new CONNECT initiative. Additionally, they have big plans to spotlight and support local women-owned businesses in the Ruston-Lincoln Parish area in the upcoming months.
Regarding the changes to the chamber staff, current Chairman of the Board, Thomas Graham, expressed his eagerness to see what the ladies will do for the organization.
“Timing is crucial, and we believe we’ve made the right decision in appointing Elizabeth and elevating Bevin,” Graham said. “Both have been deeply involved with our current mission and the development of our new strategic plan. Our search committee recognized that their skills and vision align perfectly with the board’s goals. We are excited to see how they collaborate and drive our initiatives forward in the coming years.”
“With that said, we are excited to embark on this new chapter for the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Elizabeth’s exemplary dedication to our community and her visionary approach will undoubtedly steer the chamber toward new opportunities and growth. We are equally excited about Bevin’s expanded role as executive vice president—her creative vision and commitment to engagement have already made a profound impact on our initiatives. Together, they embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that will drive our chamber forward as a vital resource for local businesses.”
With two passionate new leaders and a dedicated team behind them, the RLCC is poised for a new chapter of community development and business growth in coming years. With ongoing and new initiatives to promote great things within the community, the team will continue to make Lincoln Parish the best it can be.
