People attending events with the Newton Chamber of Commerce have noticed a new face.
That person is Emily Jacome-Cluff, who was tapped by the chamber’s board of directors to lead the organization. And while she was born in Alaska, her family made Newton County home many years ago.
Many may know her grandparents, Robin and Craig Lovell, who owned Bo-Ro’s years ago, while others may know of her mom, who operates Carla’s Chop Shop in Hickory.
“Our family just decided many years ago to move down here,” Jacome-Cluff said. “Slowly but surely, everyone followed and decided to make Newton County our home.”
Jacome-Cluff attended Newton Municipal Schools for a short time before her immediate family moved out to Hickory, where her mom’s shop was. She graduated from Newton County High School and East Central Community College, where she was the drum major of the NCHS band for three years and was drum major two more years with the ECCC Wall O’ Sound.
She went on to study biological sciences at Mississippi State.
Her ultimate goal since she was young was to be a doctor, but she said God changed her plans after finishing her bachelor’s degree and returning to Newton County. She started working with Designz By Nikki and was their website and social media manager.
It was during that time that her plans changed.
“I always thought I wanted to be doctor, but God changed those plans,” Jacome-Cluff said. “I realized that this is where I wanted to be and where I needed to be.”
Jacome-Cluff said thanked former director Leigh Anne Whittle and former administrative assistant Deborah Myers for helping make the transition smooth.
“They have helped me so much during the first couple of months,” Jacome-Cluff said. “They have made the transition very smooth for me.”
One program that she’d like to start is to connect with the younger generation of Newton residents and offer ways that they can get connected with the community.
“I want to bring younger people together and give them ways that they can volunteer right here in Newton,” Jacome-Cluff said. “I really want to see the City of Newton become the community of Newton.”
