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Cindy Hopkins, the recently retired President of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce, has been announced as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Easley Christmas Parade of Lights presented by Hendrick Honda. Hopkins was hired to lead the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce as president in June 2012, after serving as Executive Vice President of the Anderson Area Chamber for 10 years. Before her work in the chamber industry, Hopkins began her work in the non-profit sector with Foothills United Way in Anderson, after serving 12 years in the banking industry. Hopkins retired this past June, after almost 12 years with the Easley Chamber. She is credited with many accomplishments, including developing an organizational strategic plan to guide their mission, adapting programs during the COVID pandemic to support business sustainability and economic recovery, relocating the chamber’s office to downtown, initiating a successful young professionals program, launching a Women’s Alliance initiative, and strengthening the chamber’s financial stability with increased reserve funds and revenue sources. “Cindy’s tireless efforts over the last 12 years made the committee’s decision very easy this year,” said Dr. Brian Swords, current President of the Easley Chamber. “We were blessed to have Cindy at the helm of the chamber for over a decade. Anyone who knows Cindy would attest to her great work for us, and she is well deserving of this tremendous honor!” The Easley Christmas Parade of Lights, sponsored by Hendrick Honda, is today, December 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM in downtown Easley. This year’s parade is the largest in history with over 100 entries. Contact: Brian Swords Easley Chamber of Commerce bswords@easleychamber.org