Candace Pullum, 39
Main Street Manager
Employer: City of St. Marys
Lives in: St. Marys
Professional responsibilities: Manages the city’s Main Street Program and provides support to downtown and midtown businesses to help encourage a vibrant and thriving municipality.
Accomplishments/Honors: 2022 Graduate of St. Marys Leadership Academy, 2021-2022 My Camden Chamber Award Winner, 2022 Graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development.
Community Involvement: I am a board member on the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, and I also work with the St. Marys Downtown Development Authority, Development Authority of St. Marys, as well as the Gateway Committee.
Why did you go into your particular field? I like to think I have a servant’s heart; I love see people succeed. Working as a public servant allows me to do that daily.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child I always wanted to be a teacher. I quickly realized I did not have the patience to do that. Shout out to all the amazing teachers out there.
What was your first job? After-school coordinator for extended day program.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Listen more than you speak.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? Each day is a new challenge.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? You won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s OK. As a people pleaser to my core, this was a hard lesson to learn.
Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I was blessed to start my career in St. Marys with an amazing mentor, Donna Larson. She was patient, honest and candid while also being compassionate. She would allow me to share my ideas and perspectives and is a great sounding board even today.
When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? Spend time with my beautiful family, preferably at the beach.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? I’m an introverted extrovert.
How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to continue my education to grow and change with the trends and growth for the future.
If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I honestly can’t imagine not working with the city in some capacity. I love helping the citizens of St. Marys and being a part of all the growing and changing that the future has in store.