Dan Pavlin, Bernard Williams & Company’s Vice President of Commercial Lines is the new, volunteer president of the BUY LOCAL SAVANNAH board of directors. The organization’s board of directors approved Pavlin as its president at the January 12 meeting. Pavlin previously served as BUY LOCAL’s Vice President.

One of several positive changes planned for BUY LOCAL is expanding its advocacy in the community, “including our support of Savannah’s City Council to help keep Savannah safe,” Pavlin said. According to Pavlin, there are a number of positive changes planned for BUY LOCAL in 2016, such as expanding its board of directors.

Other initiatives planned for BUY LOCAL include drawing more attention to the long-term benefits of a strong, local business community. Pavlin explained “we want to highlight the need for preferential treatment of locally run and independent businesses as well as the value that these businesses present to Savannah’s major industries.”

In addition, Pavlin said, “BUY LOCAL SAVANNAH will be implementing a BUY LOCAL holiday incentive to help promote local branding during the big Holiday shopping weekends.”  These efforts, he noted, will be added benefits to the organization’s regular education and networking meetings.