In 2023, Christy Gillenwater will start in her new role as President & CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. She recently shared her perspectives with TREND and thanked the Chattanooga Chamber’s many collaborators.
When I reflect on the amazing years my family and I have spent in Chattanooga, my thoughts turn immediately to the warm welcome I received when I joined our community. I thank everyone who worked with us, shared time with us, and walked hand-in-hand toward a common future. It’s been an honor to lead collaborations and connect and convene people who contributed thoughtful leadership, ideas, and a call to action for us to work together for greater prosperity.
My experience in Chattanooga reinforced how powerful collaborations between businesses, organizations and elected officials can create greater economic and talent development opportunities.
We laid the foundation for regional advancement through community-wide programs like Velocity 2040 – our 20-year vision for economic prosperity. This vision served as the launching pad for the Chattanooga Climbs strategy, created to ensure economic prosperity for our region and residents. Through your support, we raised more than $15 million to deploy our economic development, talent, and inclusion strategy over the next five years.
Delivering on our promise of economic prosperity for area residents, small businesses, and local companies, we’ve championed initiatives that delivered more than $2 billion in capital investment and created more than 5,700 of the best jobs in Tennessee.
Cities prosper only through their people, and Chattanooga continues to prosper through the passionate work of every resident engaging in the issues that matter most. Your voice, talent and collaboration are critical to finding creative solutions in light of our many challenges.
The Chamber team is fantastic, comprised of servant leaders who answered the call to champion member businesses and promote regional economic growth. Thank you to all Chamber volunteers who lead by example in making Chattanooga a shining beacon across the Southeast.
Together, Chattanooga will continue to thrive; advocating for small business; advancing through adversity; and climbing higher than ever before.
