Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Spiro understands the importance of community. Some of that understanding comes from her times spent at Southwestern Community College. “I liked the way Southwestern concentrates on each one of us as an individual, but also our role in the community,” said Julie, who received her college transfer degree at SCC and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Western Carolina University with a BS in communications. “Southwestern is a great school that continues to grow,” she said. “While I was a student there, the faculty and administration were extremely supportive of me. They encouraged and prepared me academically to attain my career goals.” Julie, who has been chamber director now for 10 years, says she has the best job in the world. Her goal is to “every day positively impact the lives of the people who live, work and visit Jackson County.”