Jamie Johnston

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Jamie Johnston is not a Yadkin native or even a Yadkin resident, but she’s the go-to person for business and tourism matters in the county.

Johnston was born and raised in Pilot Mountain and still lives there on her father’s farm today.

Her father is a tobacco farmer, and Johnston recalls her childhood years assisting with the crops and playing in the dirt.

“I helped my dad do different stuff like hoeing, topping the tobacco, setting tobacco in the ground and putting the sticks on the stringer,” Johnston said.

This work experience is what Johnston credits for work ethic today.

Johnston attended East Surry High School where she played basketball, volleyball, and she was a cheerleader. Her work ethic continued into high school when she took a job at Hardee’s in Pilot Mountain when her mother became the store manager.

“I worked there for two years, and my mom would work me every weekend,” Johnston said with a laugh. “I would have the earliest morning shift. I think she thought if we did early morning shifts then I would come in earlier from hanging out with my friends, but that was not the case.”

After graduation Johnston went on to Surry Community College. Johnston said that she knew she would most likely do work in an office setting.

She studied business administration and her program required her participation in a co-op program. The program required students to work in a real life work setting.

“Bobby Todd, the Director of the Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce, called the co-op and told them he was looking for someone,” Johnston said. “I did an interview and Bobby hired me and told me he would hire me full time if I finished school and earned my degree. I did, and I’ve been here ever since 1999.”

As the administrative assistant to the chamber Johnston meets tourists as the come in, handles all of the clerical work for the office, plans chamber function and works directly with the chamber members.

Johnston also serves as the secretary for Yadkin County Smart Start, a member of the Downtown Business Association and the Yadkin JobLink board. She is also in charge of organizing chamber events such as the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival.

“I love what I do here,” Johnston said. “I love meeting the people coming in. It’s just something different every day. I like working on different ways we can bring new people to the area and I enjoy the interaction I have with the chamber members. It’s really a great job.”

When Johnston is not working hard for the people of Yadkin County she is spending quality time with her close knit family. She’s been married to her husband, Shane, for nearly 12 years, and the couple has a nine 9-old-daughter, Hannah, and a 2-year-old son, Cameron.

Johnston says she and a friend decided to start a Girl Scout troop for their area because there was a need and they wanted their girls involved in a positive extracurricular activity.

“I am a Girl Scout leader and this is my first year,” Johnston said. “There are not many Girl Scout troops in our area and we thought it would be something good for our girls to get in to and that we could be positive role models for the girls in our troop.”

Johnston says that between her work responsibilities, chores and running her kids from place to place she doesn’t get much time to herself for relaxation and hobbies. She does admit to a healthy shopping addiction though.

In her rare moments of down time she likes to kick back and spend time on her family’s farm riding four wheelers and taking in as much family time as possible.

“I love spending time outdoors with the kids riding four-wheelers,” Johnston said. “It’s just a time to relax. It’s so nice to have our family so close to each other and family always comes first.”

Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@civitasmedia.com.