The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has recently contracted the services of Albany lobbyist Jerry Usry to advocate for the organization at the state capital.

Beginning this year, the Chamber has employed the services of Usry and his firm, Ursy Consulting Inc., to represent it’s interests during the legislative session as well as provide guidance to the organization about how new legislation might affect the chamber and its membership.

According to Chris Hardy, Chamber CEO, the hiring of Usry fills a vital need for the chamber whose most recent full time legislative affairs liaison Deborah Bowie left the organization last spring. Hardy said while having a full time position was beneficial in the past, that person did not necessarily have the time to be present in Atlanta for the legislative session and handle the Chamber’s local interests as well.

“In the past we had a staff person,” said Hardy. “But even that person couldn’t be in Atlanta as often as we’d have liked. The primary importance (of this change) is being at the general session.”

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