Board of Directors
The Chamber's Board of Directors establishes the direction for the organization and sets policy. Members of the Board also chair the Chamber's various committees - committees do yeoman's work for the Chamber by considering issues and making recommendations to the Board. Many committees are open to interested members. If you would like to participate please contact the appropriate staff member listed below. Click here for a list of the current Board of Directors.
Committees & Councils
Agribusiness Committee
Mission/Purpose: Dedicated to the promotion and economic successes of the food, fiber and natural resources industries of East Tennessee including all parts of the production and marketing chains from farm products to consumers. Emphasis is given to farm youth development by assisting 4-H and FFA organizations with certain activities.
Chair: Scott Suchomski
Staff contact: Patrice Collins
Ambassadors
Mission/Purpose: Ambassadors of the Knoxville Chamber serve as an active volunteer extension of the Chamber to cultivate, promote and maintain a positive relationship between the Chamber, its members and the community. They also help staff events and act as mentors for new members.
Co-chairs: Cameron Puckett, GreenBank and Danny Hastaba, WATE-TV
Staff contact: Leslie Smith
Auction Committee
Mission/Purpose: To acquire auction items for the Pinnacle Business Awards silent auction.
Staff contact: Michelle Kiely
East Tennessee Military Affairs Council
Mission/Purpose: A program organized to recognize, encourage, support and be an advocate for military activities in East Tennessee as they relate to economic vitality of the area.
President, John Dyess
Staff Contact: Patrice Collins
Economic & Community Development Committee
Mission/Purpose: Work with public and private sector individuals and organizations to create and maintain an economic climate in which businesses have the ability thrive and grow. Areas of focus: Innovation Valley Inc. work program, targeted industry, new business recruitment, economic development marketing, workforce development and existing industry.
Chair: Allan Cox - Denark Construction.
Staff contact: Doug Lawyer
Finance & Audit Committee
Mission/Purpose: To ensure that the Chamber operates effectively on a financially sound basis and to focus on strategic planning, new budgets and audit.
Chair: Nathan Hunter, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Staff contact: Larry Johnson
Government Relations and Public Policy Committee
Mission/Purpose: Foster and maintain strong communications and relationships with governmental officials and organizations at all levels. The committee discusses public policy and bills in the state legislature and Congress. Members are expected to have some expertise on a given industry sector and to stay up to date about the policies or legislative actions that might effect that sector. The committee is asked to make recommendations and decisions about positions the Chamber ought to take on these policies/bills.
Chair: Terry Cowles, Deloitte LLP
Staff contact: Garrett Wagley
Manufacturing Leadership Council
Mission/Purpose: A program that allows members to discuss specific issues, trends and ideas related to manufacturing in the community and throughout the region.
Staff Contact: Doug Lawyer
Marketing Committee
Mission/Purpose: The Marketing Committee develops marketing and promotional strategies utilized by the Chamber. The marketing committee's goal is to assist the Chamber in promoting its initiatives and delivering its messages to the regions business community.
Chair: Eddie Mannis, Prestige Cleaners, Inc.
Staff Contact: Lori Fuller
Membership Committee
Mission/Purpose: Increase Chamber membership and to improve retention of existing members through the development of a full range of valued services.
Chair: Steve Ridenour, J. S. Ridenour Construction, Inc.
Staff contact: Melissa Spangler
Small Business Taskforce
Mission/Purpose: Designed to raise the profile of small businesses and to create new opportunities for small business in the regional economy.
Staff Contact: Mark Field