The Choose Columbus team took part in the official sister city signing ceremony between Columbus, Georgia, and Jinju, South Korea. Choose Columbus President Missy Kendrick and Andy Himles joined Columbus city leaders including Mayor Skip Henderson, Dr. Stuart Rayfield, MG (R) Patrick Donahoe, Dr. Dustin Anderson, Dr. Eric Spears, and Dr. Daewoo Lee of Columbus State University, Dr. David F. Lewis, Superintendent of the Muscogee County School District, and Chris Woodruff, CEO of The Cotton Companies and Woodruff Brokerage Company.
The sister city relationship between Columbus and Jinju was initiated through MG (R) Patrick Donahoe’s close relationship with Jong Wook Kim, Chairman of the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation. The partnership was further strengthened following the official visit to Jinju by the Columbus State University delegation—including Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Patrick Donahoe, Dr. Eric Spears, and Dr. Daewoo Lee—in early June of this year.
The sister city agreement establishes a framework for ongoing cooperation between the two communities, with several key objectives:
- Establishing and maintaining close, friendly relations,
- Promoting exchanges in areas of mutual interest,
- Sharing knowledge and information, and
- Creating a favorable environment for sustained cooperation.
Through this partnership, Columbus and Jinju plan to deepen collaboration across a range of fields, including economy, culture, arts, sports, and human resources.
During the signing ceremony, Jinju Mayor Cho Gyu-il welcomed the Columbus delegation, saying,
“Jinju’s K-Entrepreneurship spirit and Columbus’s ‘Servant Leadership’ share a common philosophy centered on people and community. Today’s international friendship agreement marks a meaningful beginning for both cities to move forward as true partners in areas such as economy, culture, and education.”
Mayor Skip Henderson remarked,
“We have long admired Jinju’s vibrant cultural and artistic resources and its key industries such as aerospace and biotechnology. I hope this partnership fosters a productive relationship that drives sustainable economic growth and future development.”
Mayor Henderson and Dr. Stuart Rayfield expressed sincere gratitude for Jinju City’s warm hospitality and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening goodwill and expanding cooperation between the two cities.
During the gift exchange, Mayor Henderson presented ice hockey and baseball jerseys embroidered with Mayor Cho’s name in Korean (“조규일”), delighting Jinju’s city officials and guests. Missy Kendrick also presented Choose Columbus’s official gift to Jong-wook Kim, Chairman of the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation.
Following the signing ceremony, the Columbus delegation—led by Mayor Henderson—will participate in the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum on October 27 and 28.
The Columbus session of the forum will feature discussions on servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic cooperation between Korea and the United States. Speakers will include Mayor Skip Henderson, Columbus State University President Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Muscogee County School District Superintendent Dr. David F. Lewis, Choose Columbus President Missy Kendrick, and Chris Woodruff, CEO of The Cotton Companies and Woodruff Brokerage Company.
A video showcasing the City of Columbus was presented as part of the sister city signing ceremony.
