ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Julia Coon, Membership & Engagement Director, has graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management and earned the IOM designation.

Institute for Organization Management is a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce designed specifically for chamber, association and nonprofit professionals. The program provides participants with comprehensive training in areas including leadership, membership, advocacy, finance, human resources, legal issues and organizational management.

Coon completed one week of intensive coursework each year for four years at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. During that time, she completed 96 hours of nonprofit management training, gained valuable resources and built relationships with chamber and nonprofit professionals from across the country.

“Julia’s commitment to completing this program reflects the same dedication and enthusiasm she brings to our Chamber members and community every day,” said Gail Ochs, CEO of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and the time and effort she has invested in her professional growth. Watching Julia grow as a Chamber professional and leader over the past four years has been incredibly rewarding, and we know the knowledge, ideas and relationships she has gained through Institute will continue to benefit our organization, our members and our community.”

For Coon, completing the program represents both a professional achievement and an opportunity to reflect on how much she has grown since beginning Institute four years ago.

“I started Institute as an excited young professional just one year into my Chamber career, and four years later, I’m still just as excited—only now I’m even more excited about what’s ahead,” Coon said. “I’ve gained invaluable resources and built connections that are truly unmatched. More than anything, I leave Institute as a better servant to our Chamber, our members and our community. I’m grateful for every class, every conversation, every challenge and every friendship along the way, and thankful to the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce for believing in me and investing in my professional development.”

As Membership & Engagement Director, Coon plays a key role in welcoming new members, strengthening relationships with existing members and creating opportunities for businesses and organizations to connect and become more engaged in the Chamber and the Aberdeen community.

Since 1921, Institute for Organization Management has educated leaders from across the country and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading professional development programs for chamber, association and nonprofit executives.