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Stay up-to-date with Chamber Events! Click above to check out what's coming soon!
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The January Business Link was distributed on Friday, Jan. 29th and featured a special edition of a year in review and a look into the new year in 2016.
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Show your Tullahoma spirit and give the gift of a Tullahoma Throw!
Tullahoma Throws can be purchased at the Chamber office.
$65.00/ea or $60.00 for 2 or more.
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Article by:
The Tullahoma News
Kelly Lapcynski, Staff Writer
Roughly 250 members of the business community gathered Saturday, Jan. 30th at the Tullahoma Business Center on Wilson Avenue for the annual banquet, this year themed a "Celebration Luau."
In addition to naming the Chamber's Citizen of the Year, the celebration - underwritten for 11 years by American City Bank and Harton Regional Medical Center - allows the chamber to recognize its committee members, officers, ambassadors and outgoing directors, as well as to bestow a number of awards on members who have worked to promote the community and its businesses during the past year. Throughout the event, more than 70 items donated by area businesses were auctioned off to benefit the chamber, both in pre-ceremony silent auctions and in live auction bidding conducted by Weichert Realtors company auctioneers Brian "B.B." Brown and Joe Orr.
Keith Barnett of the Russell Barnett Automotive family served as the event's master of ceremonies.
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In 2015, the chamber not only improved its website and online image, but it also streamlined its
e-mail communications and integrated new ChamberMaster software to its website, allowing members to make online payments.
Over the course of the year, the chamber hosted five business development seminars, two of which were completely free to members, and developed a plan for the renovation of its physical facility at 135 W. Lincoln St.
"With the help of the chamber staff, the chamber board, ambassadors, the committee chairs and all the volunteers, we achieved those goals and more," said Norris.
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Incoming 2016 chamber President Bill Yoder of Southern Community Bank said that his goal for the coming year would be to increase membership and to "continue to build on the wonderful foundation built by Mike and all the preceding chamber presidents."
"The goal of the chamber is to represent its membership," said Yoder. "All of us, working to make Tullahoma a better place to live, work and do business."
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2015 Citizen of the Year -
Rosie Graham, Community Playhouse
Retired Motlow State Community College professor Rosie Graham was honored with the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award Saturday evening during the organization's annual awards banquet and membership celebration.
The award recognizes the achievements of a "well-known community leader with great business accomplishments and generous contributions to the well-being of Tullahoma and its quality of life," said Chamber Executive Director Diane Bryant.
As a full-time mathematics and computer science professor at Motlow (1983-2007), Graham "had the opportunity to impact the community by sharing technology expertise and training" with multiple Tullahoma companies over the years, Bryant said.
Additionally, Graham's volunteer efforts over the course of more than 40 years have included serving on the Tullahoma School Board, as well as on the boards of the Tullahoma Swim Club, the THS AristoCats show choir program, the Delta Kappa Gamma organization for professional educators and area woman's clubs.
Graham, a longtime representative of the Community Playhouse, has also been an instrumental part of the Tullahoma Arts Council since its October 2013 inception.
"Rosie Graham's individual talents are endless, her demeanor humble and her impact on her community dynamic. She and her husband Ralph chose to call Tullahoma their home years ago and they have contributed to this community and its betterment ever since," said Bryant.
"Thank you so much. This is a great honor for me," said Graham, accepting the award. "I appreciate this very much."
"I am a servant," she said. "I am not a business leader; I am not a business owner; I represent those people in this town who serve this community and believe that Tullahoma is a better place because we can serve. Thank you for that and for those of you who also serve."
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2015 President's Award - Ashton Sisk, TACC
While recapping the chamber's accomplishments over the last year, outgoing chamber president Mike Norris presented Ashton Sisk, the organization's marketing and communications director, with the 2015 President's Award.
Sisk was honored for her efforts in service to the chamber's goals - in particular, for the countless hours she spent updating the chamber's online presence across social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter and populating the chamber's new state-of-the-art website with content.
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2015 Clyde Phillips Men's Store Business of the Year Award - Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance board member Steve Cope accepted the Clyde Phillips Men's Store Business of the Year Award on behalf of the non-profit regional blood center, located at 604 N. Jackson St.
Named for a three-generation, family owned Tullahoma business that closed in 2008, the Clyde Phillips Award recognizes an outstanding business that supports chamber projects and goals, works for the betterment of Tullahoma, exemplifies excellent customer service and gives back to the community.
Serving 47 counties in five states with blood and blood products, Blood Assurance exemplified its commitment to the community this year through the September dedication of the "Guy and Sue Gardner Community Room" at its new Tullahoma donor center, which Bryant said was itself a notable investment in the community. Throughout the year, Blood Assurance also supported the chamber by co-hosting the October membership coffee and sponsoring the celebration banquet's silent auction.
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2015 Loretta Welsh C.E.O. Business Partner of the Year Award -
Daryl Welch
Real estate agent Daryl Welch accepted the award in recognition of his years of support to the programs of Jack T. Farrar Elementary School. He has shared his time and talents with the school for many years. Daryl holds monthly leadership club meetings with the 5th grade boys. He is an interviewer for the Biz Town Junior Achievement 5th Grade program. He is also a presenter at Career Day and financially supports the "good character" juggling show for the students. Daryl is a former Farrar Frog himself and gives back to the school every chance he gets.
Learn more about the C.E.O. Program & how to become a partner.
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2015 Rising Star Award - Bryan McAdams, Tullahoma Funeral Home
Added in 2013, the Rising Star Award was created to recognize a young business professional who goes above and beyond to serve and support the chamber and who is "a rising star in their businesses field as well as in our community."
McAdams is "always exploring new ways to do things and his constant energy and enthusiasm are contagious," said Bryant. "He's always working to increase collaboration and connections with other businesses and organizations."
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2015 Extra Miler Award - Kathy Orr, Weichert Realtors, Joe Orr & Associates
The award pays tribute to individuals or businesses whose contributions to the chamber and the community - through excellent job performance or community stewardship - are exceptional at all levels.
For more than 30 years, Bryant said, Orr has excelled in both areas. In her career field, Orr has benefitted the local economy by bringing new businesses and residents to the area. In the community, Orr is involved in the chamber's CEO program, does extensive volunteer work with multiple area non-profits, and has been honored by her peers for her work within the GFWC Centennial Woman's Club. As co-chair of that club's "Light Up South Jackson" campaign, Orr has taken on the challenging goal of raising $250,000 for the renovation of the city's historic South Jackson Civic Center.
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2015 Ambassador of the Year - Coty Hall, Stan McNabb Collision Center
Coty was awarded for his Chamber and community involvement throughout the year. As what Bryant called a "goal-driven" and "action-oriented" ambassador, Hall made a fierce effort to overtake strong competitors to win the award based on attendance and participation in chamber events and activities.
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TN Chamber Capitol Update - February 4, 2016
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The Capitol Update is written by the Chamber's government affairs staff and is distributed statewide to all of our business, local chamber and economic development professionals. The Tennessee Chamber Capitol Update is a powerful grassroots communication tool and we encourage you to share this publication with your team members to provide crucial updates and engage your local elected officials on important issues.
Topics Include:
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Soccer Field Lighting at Johnson Lane Recreation Area
The City of Tullahoma and the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon Monday on the soccer field lighting at Johnson Lane Recreation Area. Soccer is now one of the largest and fastest growing sports in the city. Tullahoma Soccer Association, Tri-Lakes Soccer Association, Camp Forest Soccer Association and the Tullahoma International Soccer Association and other groups use the Johnson Lane Recreation Area, said Glick. "With the addition of lights, leagues will be able to shift their scheduled activities to a later time period that is more convenient for working families and children in school," said Glick. "We are really excited about both these additions to Tullahoma's park system. The lights at the soccer complex have been needed for quite some time." C & H Construction Co. of Manchester was awarded a bid totaling $375,000 for both the lighting at the soccer fields and the Grider Stadium renovation project. This project was funded with the bond issue the city secured in January 2015, said Glick. The lighting project at Johnson Lane Recreation Area used $244,800 of that budget, said Glick. "We've been wanting to upgrade the lighting to TSSAA standards," said City Administrator Jody Baltz in July. "I think it's going to make a big difference. This project has been in the books for a while." There are four fields at the recreation area, said Glick. "The two fields in the middle are going to be 100 percent lit up when it comes time for those evening tournaments, and the two on either end are only lit up from one side," said Glick. "We can always add in poles for extra lighting in the future. I was out there testing them a few nights ago and I thought it was enough lit up enough to play on the other two fields." Aldermen Jerry Mathis, the athletic and vocational director for Tullahoma City Schools, is looking forward to hosting events at the soccer fields. "In order for us to accommodate the bigger tournaments, those soccer fields are going to have to be lighted," Mathis said. "It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. It's an outstanding facility and now we can utilize it at night." The lighting of the soccer fields will allow use of the fields for hundreds of people in Tullahoma who enjoy soccer, said Mayor Lane Curlee. "It allows us to host tournaments, which, of course, attract more people to our city," said Curlee. There are no immediate plans for future additions or renovations for the recreation area, said Glick. "Future plans would include a restroom and concession building, picnic shelters, a connector road for the two parking lots," said Glick. "Additional baseball and softball fields could be in future plans as well." The Johnson Lane Recreation Area opened in 2000, with three regulation softball fields and a restroom/concession stand. In 2007, the addition of four full-size soccer fields, a new parking area, and a new entrance on New Rock Creek Road was completed.
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Pet Village Bark Park
Along with the ribbon cutting at Johnson Lane Recreation Area, city officials also hosted the grand opening and ribbon cutting event for the Pet Village Bark Park. Located next to Waggoner Park, the Bark Park project began in last July and was completed in January, with the installation of the new gazebo at the entrance on Jan. 8. Roughly based on existing parks in Murfreesboro and Nashville, Pet Village abuts the Army National Guard property. There will be separate areas for small and large dogs. "Pet Village is a completely new recreation opportunity in Tullahoma," said Glick. "The dog park has been open since mid-September, when the fence and concrete were finished." Glick said in December that the project had budgeted $30,000 from the capital improvements plan and that the highest priorities were the fence, supplying water and providing for bags for owners to clean up their dogs' waste. The Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted in late June to fund the park using capital investment funds, and Brindley and Sons Construction won the contract in the amount of $20,575 in July. That amount covered the fencing, concrete and the installation of a water line for the park, said Glick. Of the $30,000 budget, over $21,000 was spent on construction, including the fencing, the concrete for the fencing, and the water lines for the dog park, said Glick. Included in the Bark Park budget was $7,000 for park furniture, including the benches, the waste kiosks, the dog water fountain, as well as other amenities such as a dog leash hanger and signage. He said the gazebo the department installed at the dog park cost $4,700. "For the first time dogs will have somewhere to take their owners while they play with their friends," said Glick. "The dog park has been one of the most requested park facilities in recent years." There are also plans to add more to the Bark Park when funding is available, said Glick. "We hope to add dog agility equipment and other amenities as time goes on. "When we were contacting other dog parks in the mid-state, most of them only had a large fenced-in area," he said. "Most people only wanted an area to let their dogs run and socialize safely." "People who have dogs want to gather with other people who have dogs to talk and meet," said Glick. When talking to recreation directors in other cities, Glick said that he found that "the main thing that people really like to do is get out and let their dogs run and play with other dogs." In July, the city committed to finance a water line extension from a nearby existing structure to the new pet area, allowing for the installation of water fountains that serve both humans and their pets. There has not been a community fundraiser for additional Bark Park amenities such as pet exercise areas and activity stations, said Glick. "Most fundraising effort have been going toward the animal shelter since it is such an important project," said Glick. "We would not turn down funds if someone wanted earmark their donation toward the bark park." The Pet Village Bark Park is a great addition to the amenities the city government offers, said Curlee. "Parks and rec has done an excellent job organizing the park and making it attractive to both pets and their owners," said Curlee. "There are features inside the park the dogs will enjoy and owners will appreciate the seating and shade provided by a couple of large shade trees and a gazebo. "Just about every time I drive by the park, there are pets and owners enjoying the new facility," said Curlee. For more information about the Johnson Lane Recreation Area or the Pet Village Bark Park, contact parks and rec at 931-455-1121.
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Meet New February Members!
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Boheme Becky's
Becky Shelton
401 Wilson Ave, Tullahoma
931.581.4627
Retail Affiliates
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Cloud 9 Imagery
Nicole Thompson
401 Wilson Avenue, Tullahoma
931.954.5584
Photography
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Kimbo's Wish
Christen Hankins
2565 Gourdneck Rd, Tullahoma
931.588.5093
Service Organizations
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Kindred Spirits Dog Training
Jennie Jones
379 Philippi Road, Wartrace 37183
931.580.4467
Dog Training/Dog Sales/Education
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Pretty Fashion Jewelry
Terry Kirchner
249, Estill Springs 37330
931.841.5778
Jewelry
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Rose's Peace of Mind Pet Care
Rosemary Ramirez
1106 Whiteside Hill Road
Wartrace, TN 37183
931.224.3060
Pet Grooming/Boarding
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2016 Executive Board:
President Bill Yoder, Southern Community Bank
President-elect Ken Keller, Northgate Mall
Vice President Hope Sartain, Exchange Media Group
Secretary-Treasurer Lisa Claudio, Graphics on Demand
Past President Mike Norris
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2016 Board of Directors:
Jan Rogers
Matt Layton
Laurie Raulston
Joe Martin
Dolly McNabb
Jessica Fewell
Rachel Carrick
Donna Bradford
Andrew Rice
Becky Gustafson
Chelsy Dochety
Elizabeth Banks
Michelle Martin
Molly King
Susan Vining
Lenore Blackwell
Stacy Lynch
Linda Bean
Russ Spray
Dr. Robert Moore
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2015 Ambassador Spotlights:
February - Lisa Luttrell, Castle Dental
March - Stacy Flynt, Exchange Media Group
April - Jackie Lendley, Rodney's Body Shop
May - Donna Bradford, Community Cancer Care
June - Jack Thoma, E.B. Thoma & Son Insurance
July - Carol Fulmer, Interlocal Solid Waste Authority
August - Anne Kunkel, Life Aid Medical Equipment
September - Sarah Vella, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director
October - Tami Sterchak, Primerica
November - Laurie Raulston, Farm Bureau Insurance, Mark Raulston Agency
December - Troy Brown, Individual
The Tullahoma Chamber Ambassadors are the social arm for the Chamber and they are here to welcome members and assist you in anything that you need.
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2016 Women Impacting the Community Awards Luncheon sponsored by Ascend Federal Credit Union
Four Award Categories:
Business
Community Service
Education
Lifetime Achievement
NOW accepting nominations! All nominations must be submitted to the Tullahoma
Chamber by Friday, March 11, 2016.
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