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From the president
still setting
the pace at 125
This year, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
celebrates 125 years of driving local job creation. That makes
us one of a small number of companies that have managed to
remain relevant and vital over such a long life span. We plan to
mark the occasion by raising the bar on our efforts to make the
most of the present while preparing for the future.
For starters, we’re unveiling the Chattanooga Chamber’s
brand new logo (see the upper right corner of this page). You’ll also
note that this issue of Trend sports a whole new design style that
echoes the look of national business publications.
But, we aren’t just making cosmetic changes. During
2012, we’ll be joining partners across the region in launching
a 40-year, Regional Growth Planning Process with the aim of
enhancing the economic competitiveness of the whole region
(see page 28).
The Chattanooga Chamber is also partnering with a
growing list of local and national organizations in support of
“Gig City: Chattanooga,” an effort to accelerate the start of
next-generation Internet ventures utilizing EPB’s fiber optic
system, which is America’s first community-wide gig network
(see page 18).
On the membership side, we’re launching “Connect for
Lunch,” a program that matches participating members with
synergistic companies for a one-on-one lunch meeting. We will
be sending you more information about this program soon.
At the same time, the Chattanooga Chamber is providing
continuing support for Hamilton County Schools as they
work to enhance student preparation in science, technology,
engineering and math through an effort to win state funding to
start a regional STEM hub (see page 27).
These are just a few examples of how your Chamber isn’t
just “keeping up with the times.” Thanks to your engagement
and support, we are helping set a pace for our local economy
that few other communities can match.
That’s quite an accomplishment for an organization that’s
been in continuous operation since Grover Cleveland was
president.
CHAMBER MISSION
The mission of the Chattanooga Area
Chamber of Commerce is to champion
our member businesses and implement a
comprehensive strategy to promote
regional economic growth.
CHAMBER board of directors
Tom Edd Wilson, President and CEO
Michael St. Charles, Chair
executive committee
Diana Bullock, Chair-Elect
Ron Harr, Immediate Past Chair
Howard Levine, First Vice Chair
Michael Mathis, Treasurer
Sandra Brewer, Secretary
Chip Baker
Corky Coker
Robin Derryberry
David DeVaney
Fred Exum
Joe Johnson
Darrell Moore
Jeff Olingy
Corinne Allen
Ted Alling
Tammy Babb
Jackie Barry
Dennis Blanton
Marian Brewer
Jim Brexler
Christi Broom
Roger Brown
Larry Buie
Jim Callihan
Jim Catanzaro
Brad Cobb
Michael Costa
Sue Culpepper
Fred Decosimo
Bob Farnsworth
Frank Fischer
Richard Foster
David Hawke
Lynda Childress Hawks
Patsy Hazlewood
Jim Hobson
directors
William Wilder
Mike Sarvis
Jim Sattler
Ronelle Sellers
Jim Steffner
Roger Tuder
Roy Vaughn
Tom White
Dave Whitfield
Craig Holley
Tim Kelly
Jamie Kyle
Michael Lebovitz
Jim Levine
MaryStewart Lewis
Rusty McKee
Rick McKenney
Craig Miller
Deb Moore
Glenn Morris
Mitch Patel
Christian Patiño
Lawrence Quinn
Tiffanie Robinson
Keith Sanford
Kathy Schein
Randall Taylor
Lauren Templeton
Greg Vital
Michael Walden
Tom Walsh
Clay Watson
PARTNERS
Chattanooga Airport Authority
Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau
Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association
Chattanooga State
City of Chattanooga
Office of Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
The Enterprise Center
Hamilton County
Hamilton County Department of Education
River City Company
Southeast Industrial Development Association
Tennessee Valley Authority
United Way of Chattanooga
WTCI TV 45 (PBS)
By Tom Edd Wilson,
Chamber President and CEO
Business Trend magazine is produced
quarterly by CMC Publications.
For advertising information, call 423.266.3440
or e-mail gmullinix@sceniccitymags.com.