Meet the Emerging Leaders Shaping the Future of Columbus, GA 

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

A new chapter has begun for Columbus, GA, as the community officially welcomes four new leaders to key positions in 2025. Their diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives are poised to shape the city’s future, guiding initiatives and fostering growth. 

Shannon B. Whittington Photography

Jansen Tidmore 

President and CEO, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce 

A native of Dothan, Alabama, Jansen Tidmore stepped into his role as president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce in July 2025. Jansen brings with him over 15 years of transformative hands-on leadership resulting in job creation and capital investment. 

Tidmore’s communities have generated over $12 billion in new capital investment and created more than 20,000 jobs across Alabama, South Carolina and Colorado. 

“With the belief that the cornerstone of a healthy community is the ability to access quality jobs, we have worked hard to provide those opportunities for all our residents,” he says. 

Tidmore is known for his hands-on approach to strategic partnerships and workforce development. Before arriving in Columbus, he served as president and CEO of the Jeffco EDC in Jefferson County, Colorado, just outside of Denver, ushering in a unified model for chamber, economic development and leadership programs. He championed regional collaboration and innovation through empowering partnerships and leveraging his experiences in construction, hospitality and media. 

“With a 180-year legacy, the chamber is well-positioned to continue to shape Columbus’ next chapter,” he says. 

Outside of work, Jansen enjoys family life with his wife, Laura, and their two daughters, cheering them on at theater shows and soccer matches. 

Courtesy of Choose Columbus

Missy Kendrick 

President and CEO, Choose Columbus 

Missy Kendrick is leading a bold and exciting new era of economic development in Columbus as the first president and CEO of Choose Columbus, a newly launched organization dedicated to job creation, capital investment and business recruitment. 

With more than 30 years of experience, Kendrick is no stranger to building momentum; she previously led transformative efforts in Rome, Georgia, bringing over 1,700 jobs and $3 billion in investment to the state. 

Now in the Columbus area, she’s focused on making the region more competitive by aligning industry needs with strategic incentives, infrastructure solutions and workforce development. Her approach is collaborative, working closely with local partners and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to position Columbus for growth in sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, robotics and cybersecurity. 

“There’s great potential here as we work on both recruitment and potential expansions of our existing industries,” she says. 

With Choose Columbus working alongside VisitColumbusGA and the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber, Kendrick is helping drive a shared vision for the region’s future. 

Hughston Clinic

Ashley Woitena 

President and CEO, VisitColumbusGA 

Ashley Woitena knows Columbus inside and out. That’s because she’s helped shape its tourism story for nearly two decades. She began her journey with VisitColumbusGA in 2007 as a sales assistant while earning her MBA at Troy University. She then steadily rose through the ranks before being named CEO in 2025. Woitena’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment, as Columbus continues to experience major growth in tourism, development and business travel. 

Woitena is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and she holds credentials in leadership excellence and tourism marketing. 

She’s been instrumental in high-impact campaigns and stakeholder partnerships that helped draw over 2 million visitors to Columbus in 2024, generating an estimated $377 million in local spending. 

Backed by a strong hospitality and nonprofit background, she brings energy, vision and deep community roots to the role. 

“It’s the perfect time to spotlight all Columbus has to offer,” Woitena says, as she works to position Columbus for continued growth and visibility. 

Courtesy of Uptown Columbus

Steve Morse 

President and CEO, Uptown Columbus 

With more than 30 years of experience in event planning, venue coordination and public space development, Steve Morse brings seasoned leadership to his new role at Uptown Columbus and the Uptown Columbus Business Improvement District. 

A longtime Columbus resident, Morse is deeply engaged in downtown revitalization, having played key roles in launching key public assets such as the Columbus Civic Center, managing the South Commons Softball Complex and helping open the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. 

Now, his focus is squarely on making Uptown Columbus a vibrant place for residents, businesses and visitors alike. 

His passion for placemaking and community-driven development is at the core of his work. 

As Morse said in a news release upon his appointment: “As a longtime resident and leader in this community, I’m honored to step into this role. Uptown is the heart of Columbus – always up to something, always amazing. I’m excited to work alongside our partners, business owners and residents to continue building a downtown that serves everyone.”