Neighbors Making a Difference

Taking care of businesses; Khrys Jones and Shannon Givens devote time, talents to Sandy Area Chamber

By Brit Allen, The Sandy Standard

In business, you often hear the old adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” For Khrys Jones and Shannon Givens, it’s both that’s made them successful in their service through the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Both were inspired to get involved with the chamber through friends. For Jones it was former director Mitch Speck and longtime friend Roz Rushing. For Givens it was former director Dawn Loomis. 

Jones started with the Chamber part-time 14 years ago, back when the visitors center was still under Chamber purview. She first worked at the visitors center, then, in July 2015, she became director of the organization. 

Givens was brought on 10 years ago this August (around the same time she moved to Sandy) to help with marketing for the Chamber, and has served in that capacity and others part-time ever since. Both she and Jones also took on even more responsibility during the pandemic to provide additional support to struggling businesses and help boost tourism in the area. 

Both, with now a decade or more of experience behind them, still say the opportunities to help and connect with the business community are why they have stayed with the Chamber. 

“My passion is for the businesses and community in general,” Jones explained. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I especially enjoy the ribbon cuttings. I like being able to introduce the new businesses to the area, and seeing the entrepreneurs and how they put their hearts into something and it coming to fruition.” 

Jones also appreciates being able to play a part in the histories of these businesses along the way. 

Givens said she has appreciated not only working with Jones, but “being a proactive part of helping the business community.” 

“I can’t imagine not having this connection to the businesses,” she added. “I love working with them.”

Aside from their positions with the Chamber, both Givens and Jones have devoted countless hours to serving the community in other ways. 

Givens was involved with the Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) at Oregon Trail Academy for 10 years, once serving as chair of the board, when her sons were all still in grade school. 

“I love being involved,” Givens said. “(The Chamber) was an easy fit.” 

Jones has worn several volunteer hats over the 25 years she’s called Sandy home, including as a member of the Sandy Community Action Center board, the Sandy Urban Renewal Agency board, MHCC’s Small Business Development Center’s advisory board, the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, and the Sandy Economic Development advisory board. She has also served as vice chair of the Kelso Elementary School PTC when her kids were in grade school, and as a volunteer at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

Jones has taken steps to further her education to better serve the Sandy area business community as well, such as attending a four-year program provided by the Institute of Organizational Management through the United States Chamber of Commerce. She also has high hopes for the organization in the future. 

“I’d really like to grow (the Chamber) to the point that more businesses feel the need to be involved,” Jones said. “Having Shannon as part of our team for the past 10 years has been amazing. I don’t know that I could do the work we do without her, our board members, and volunteers.”