JUNE 2014 Vol. 16 Issue 6 in this June breakfast meeting ...

YOUR HEALTH.OUR PASSION.

in thisISSUE

JUNE 2014Vol. 16 | Issue 6

PAGE 7

Get ready for thebusiness expo

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Golf Classicshots tell thestory

SPONSOR OR EXHIBIT AT THE EXPO!

Contact [email protected].

2014 SPONSORSHIP GUIDE

June breakfast meeting to feature growing Brentwood business pioneer

Young Professionals offer unique summer options

Most people consider Brentwood a residential com-munity, and they would be correct in that assumption. Ninety percent of this north-ern-most Williamson County municipality is just that.

However, the city of about 37,000 also is home to some of the county’s largest employers, in addition to scores of smaller enterprises that provide jobs, products and services in a highly cov-eted hometown environment.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain (LBMC), Tennessee’s largest regional accounting and business consulting firm, is one of those.

LBMC set up shop in Brentwood 30 years ago, and the company is aiming to stay there as the anchor tenant of the proposed Hill Center Brentwood. Managing partner Mike Cain and partner Jeff Drummonds will share the firm’s story at the June 17 Williamson

Chamber breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Cool Springs.

At about 300 employees in Brentwood, the LBMC family of companies is one of the largest companies in the city. LBMC was ranked by Accounting Today among the top 50 accounting, tax and consulting firms in the United States – up three slots. And in 2013, the trade publica-tion named LBMC as one of the best places to work.

With additional offices in Chattanooga and Knoxville, the company has more than 400 employees statewide. Founded in 1984 as a tradi-tional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to encompass a broad range of financial, human resources and technology services for a diverse client base.

The Williamson, Inc. Economic Development website pages showcase

The Chamber Young Professionals are gearing up for a summer of learning and levity that kicks off on Friday, June 27, with a day-long trip to a worldwide Tennessee legend – the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg.

This first-ever “YP On Location” event includes bus transportation, lunch, a distillery tour and a presentation about the global brand’s marketing strategy. Tickets are $40 and seats are limited. First Tennessee Bank is a lead sponsor for this event, and sponsorship opportunities are still available from $200 to $600.

Following on the distillery field trip, the YPs will get together for Burgers

and Brews at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, to hear a performance by local songwriters while enjoying sliders and beer samples from local food and bev-erage purveyors. The group will gather at the recently dedicated Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin. Tickets are $30, and sponsorships from $250 to $500 are available.

For the first time, three local groups that engage young professionals will team up for this summer offering. Partnering with the Chamber YPs are the Heritage Foundation’s Next Generation supporters and the young professionals of the Williamson County Association of Realtors.

“We thought this would be a great way to allow our individual group participants to get to know each other,

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Casual networking is always on the agenda when the Young Professionals get together, shown here as Emily McClendon, left, Drew Brooks and Brooke Sweeney catch up at the May meeting.

THE POINT l June 2014

THE POINT is published as a partnership between the Williamson Chamber and The Tennessean. For editorial inquiries, contact Libby Older at [email protected]. For advertising information, contact Lauren Carpenter at [email protected]. 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150 | Franklin, TN 37067 | 615.771.1912 | www.williamsonchamber.com

911 Wildlife, LLC2479 Murfreesboro PikeNashville, TN 37217(615) 562-1911911wildlife.comLaura Wise

A Fresh Space, LLCP.O. Box 452 Franklin TN 37065(615) 509-1933afreshspace.comLiz Jenkins

Americana Music Association230 Franklin Road, Building 14Franklin, TN 37064(615) 386-6936americanamusic.orgJed Hilly

Andra Partners, LLC2550 Meridian Blvd., Ste. 200Franklin, TN 37067(615) 567-8090andrapartners.comWilliam Freels III

B.L. Harbert International750 Old Hickory Blvd., Ste. 2-100Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 377-4100blharbert.comMichael Grier

Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC215 Ward Circle Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 373-3771bcpas.comCJ Blankenship

Bloom Outdoor Environments2724 McLemore WayFranklin, TN 37064(615) 790-0299bloomtn.comNicholas Buchholz

Cameron Properties1503 Columbia Ave.Franklin, TN 37064(615) 791-0093cameronpropertiestn.comDonnie Cameron

Castle & Cooke Mortgage109 Westpark Dr., Ste. 150Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 200-1058ccmtn.comJoshua Rogers

Dental Bliss151 Rosa Helm WayFranklin, TN 37067(615) 794-8810dentalbliss.comAmy Moore

Diamond H Coaching573 Midway CircleBrentwood, TN 37027(615) 498-6498royceharrell.comRoyce Harrell

Family Staffing Solutions 109 Holiday Court, C-8Franklin, TN 37067(615) 472-1563familystaffing.comStephanie Coles

Franklin Delivery Dudes330 Mallory Station Road, F-18Franklin, TN 37067(615) 669-8141franklindeliverydudes.comJennifer Troxel

Good Dog Kennel-Free Retreat2386 Joe Brown RoadSpring Hill, TN 37174(614) 495-1312gooddogkennelfree.comBritt Gardner

H.G. Hill Realty Company, LLC3011 Armory Dr.Nashville, TN 37204(615) 252-8100hghill.comCeleste Patterson

Marc RobertsFranklin, TN 37067(615) 472-8289

Middle Tennessee Business Brokers2441-Q Old Fort ParkwaySte. 352Murfreesboro, TN 37128(615) 260-2807midtnbiz.comJana Truman

Narrow Gate FoundationNarrow Gate at Leatherwood Forge 242 Dry Prong RoadWilliamsport, TN 38487(931) 583-0633narrowgatefoundation.orgSusan Reinfeldt

New Horizons Computer Learning Center Nashville

220 Athens Way, Ste. 150Nashville, TN 37228(615) 251-6955nhnashville.comNowell McKee

Parris Printing211 Whitsett Dr.Nashville, TN 37210(615) 832-7170parrisprinting.comPhilip Dial

Redemption City ChurchP.O. Box 681703Franklin, TN 37068(615) 628-7428redemptioncity.comJess Rainer

Reiner KirstenFranklin, TN 37067(615) 975-8607

Rhonda Sizemore, CPA1650 Murfreesboro RoadSte. 209Franklin, TN 37067(615) 656-8966RhondaSizemoreCPA.comRhonda Sizemore

RS TECH, LLC.330 Franklin Road, Ste 135A-270Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 465-8143rstech.comJohn Mason

SaffireThe Factory at Franklin230 Franklin Road, Building 11YFranklin, TN 37064(615) 599-4995saffirerestaurant.comRenee Kauffman

Schakolad Chocolate Factory443 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 107Franklin, TN 37067(615) 771-5077schakolad.com/store11Marc Tepner

Sculpted in SerenityFranklin, TN 37067(615) 852-5754sculptedinserenity.comGreg Trent

The Morning Rotary Club of Brentwood

P.O. Box 1503Brentwood, TN 37024(615) 310-6698Thomas Dodd

ThriftSmart454 Downs Blvd.Franklin, TN 37064(615) 833-8200thriftsmart.comJulie Spotswood

Vicki VogtFranklin, TN 37067(615) 791-1232

Worx Solutions Management9690 Sapphire CourtBrentwood, TN 37027(615) 336-7094worxsolution.comDennis Jackson

These companies and individuals have made a commitment to business growth and to their community by joining the Williamson Chamber. They will enjoy the benefits of a robust business directory listing on the Chamber website and referrals from our office and from fellow members. When you need products or services, please search the directory on the Chamber website and do business with a Chamber member.

WELCOME new membersJOIN THE MEMBER BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE WILLIAMSON CHAMBER – CALL US TODAY AT 615-771-1912.

Thank you to these volunteers for their contributions thismonth to the Williamson Chamber membership committees.

kudos l DAREN THOMPSON, UPS Store of Cool Springs, as an Ambassador for attending the most Chamber meetings and ribbon cuttings.

l MIKE ALEXANDER, Signs First Franklin, of the Engagement Committee for mentoring the most new members through the orientation process.

l MELINDA MILLER, Hilton Garden Inn Nashville/Franklin Cool Springs, of the Member Relations Committee for excelling in her efforts to reach out to members.

l RENE GOULD, Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee, and STECK JOHNSON, Healthcare Solutions Team, of the Development Committee for bringing in the most new members for the month.

HANDSHAKE VISITSCOMING THIS MONTH

Members can expect to receive a visit at their place of business before the end of the month from a Chamber volunteer or staff member. During this second “handshake” outreach event, members will receive warm greetings and a window cling that visibly promotes their membership in the county’s largest business professional organization.


YOUR HEALTH. OUR PASSION.YOUR LIFE. YOUR WORK. YOUR PLAY.

Tech solves business problemsIt sometimes involves algorithms

and other difficult-to-spell procedures, but at its core, technology is about solving problems. That was the message three Williamson County entrepreneurs drove home at the Chamber’s May membership luncheon.

Just as health care is not all about doctors, technology is not all about computing, said panel guest Stephen Franklin of LeanKit in Franklin.

“It’s utilizing technology to solve the problems of your business,” Franklin explained – a viewpoint also emphasized by panel members Rob Bellenfant of TechnologyAdvice in Brentwood and Jake Fagan of Caddis in Franklin.

Discussion moderator Bryan Huddleston, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville Technology Council, highlighted four top tech trends today – social, mobile, big data and the cloud.

The speakers agreed that cloud computing, which enables users to store files on off-site servers and also access software applications and other services via the internet, has made starting and growing tech busi-nesses easier and less expensive. Companies can get their system needs delivered automatically over the web, Franklin said.

“These trends are greatly reducing the cost of starting an IT company,” he added.

But businesses should realize that automatic software updates won’t necessarily solve their problems unless they address specific needs

and goals, said Fagan. The speakers agreed that a job

applicant’s attitude and potential can mean more than a specific educa-tional background or work experience.

“A lot of what we learn in the tech industry, we learn on the job,” said Franklin.

Related to what technology busi-nesses need to thrive in Williamson County, Franklin listed a direct flight to San Francisco, cross-pollination in the local ecosystem and capital.

“Great companies need great spaces to work in,” Fagan added, which was echoed by Bellenfant, who noted that tech companies typically need more parking spaces.

When asked why they chose to locate in Williamson County, the entrepreneurs pointed to ambience and lifestyle.

“It was just a perfect fit for what we wanted our business to be,” said Franklin, noting the rich local culture and the “small-town feel.”

“We wanted to live here. We wanted to work here,” said Fagan.

“It’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” said Bellenfant, himself a Ravenwood High graduate.

The meeting was presented by the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The June membership meeting will be a 7:30 a.m. breakfast at Embassy Suites Cool Springs. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members, who may register as guests. Sign up at williamsonchamber.com by noon on Friday, June 13, to avoid a $5 late fee.

MAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Lynn Maddox shares a lively conversation during networking before the meeting.

Chamber membership committee representatives are always on the job, making introductions and welcoming guests.

Joining Engagement Committee members Mike Alexander, left, and Todd Quillin, right, are new members, from left, Noreen Schoonover, Barry Osborne, Kim Elder, Nowell McKee and Sonya Komar.

Mark Robertson, left, Mark Bocci, Gary Aydelott and Teresa White get together before the meeting.

Nashville Technology

Council’s Bryan

Huddleston, right, led the

discussion with tech

entrepreneurs Jake Fagan, left,

Rob Bellenfant and Stephen

Franklin.


what’s new IN WILLIAMSONWE CELEBRATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AS THEY OPEN, EXPAND AND RENOVATE!

CENTURY II 9020 Overlook Boulevard, Suite 201 • Brentwood

Ribbon Cutting – May 8 • 30 employees

Century II is the oldest professional employer organization in Tennessee and helped shape industry licensing legislation for the state. The company serves about 200 clients with more than 4,000 employees in 47 states, providing payroll services, benefits administration, human resources consulting and more.

BERRY FARMS DENTAL4020 Hughes Crossing • Franklin


One of the first businesses in the Berry Farms community, this practice offers general, cosmetic and pediatric dentistry. Professional whitening, mini-implants and teeth straightening also are available. Most all insurance is accepted, and new patients of all ages are welcomed to this full-service facility.

FRANKLIN DENTAL CARE3016 Columbia Ave. • Franklin

Ribbon Cutting – March 28 • 14 employees

The caring team at this state-of-the-art facility provides a full array of dental services, including crowns, veneers, whitening, root canals, extractions, oral cancer screenings, sealants, tooth straightening and more. The employees are committed to making Franklin Dental Care Williamson County’s dental home.

HIGH HOPES DEVELOPMENT CENTER 301 High Hopes Court • Franklin


At this new facility and first permanent home, High Hopes will continue to serve children with special needs and chronic diseases. With an inclusive preschool and an on-site pediatric therapy clinic, High Hopes attracts families from more than 12 counties seeking high-quality therapy and instruction.

NEXT GENERATION DENTISTS1735 Galleria Boulevard #1073 • Franklin


A practitioner for more than 25 years, Dr. Joel Sharow soon will be joined by his son Kyle in this customer-focused practice, the second in the area. Gentle, relaxing care is the goal, along with the most modern services in preventive dentistry, whitening, restoration, dentures, tooth straightening and more.

extensive information about who is doing business in the county. A quick perusal reveals that among the 25 largest employers in the county, nine call Brentwood home. When the stats are broken down by industry sector, nine of the largest 23 health care companies and 10 of the largest 24 technology companies have addresses in this quiet community. LBMC is second on that list.

“Not only is Brentwood home to many of our largest Williamson County businesses, it’s a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity,” said Matt Largen, president and chief executive officer of Williamson, Inc., the Chamber and Economic Development. “This activity is testimony to the talent, business knowledge and energy that are hallmarks of the city and its residents.”

Incorporated in 1969 with a population of 3,378,

Brentwood has a rich history that begins with Native American villages and extends through Civil War conflict and before. The city now is on the cusp of a significant infrastruc-ture renewal with the proposed Hill Center and the nearby mixed-use redevelopment called City Park on Franklin Road. Some buildings in the green-landscaped planned development Maryland Farms – once a prosperous horse farm of the same name – also are

undergoing renovation. And Tractor Supply Company soon will move into a new headquar-ters within walking distance of the one the rural lifestyle retail business now occupies.

The H.G. Hill Realty Company has announced it will seek rezoning for its proposed 600,000-square-foot development at the southeast corner of Franklin Road and Maryland Way on property formerly occupied by the Tennessee Baptist

Convention and Murray Ohio. LMBC would accompany the “iconic corner” of that devel-opment, said Jimmy Granbery, chief executive officer for the homegrown company which started in 1895 with the H.G. Hill Food Stores.

The Chamber breakfast costs $30 for members and $35 for non-members, who may register as guests. Save your place by noon on Friday, June 13, to avoid the $5 late fee.

June breakfast meeting (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

REACH 40,000 READERSWITH YOUR ADVERTISEMENT

IN THE POINTThe official Chamber newsletter offers

several options to promote your businessto a coveted readership.

Find out how to make the most of advertising in The Point.

Call Lauren Carpenter at 615-771-1912or email [email protected].


The CHAMBER OFFICE is located in Cool Springs at 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150, Franklin.

JUNE 17 MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST 7:30 a.m., Embassy Suites Cool Springs 820 Crescent Centre Drive, Franklin Speakers: Mike Cain and Jeff Drummonds, LBMC JUNE 18 FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION 9 a.m., Chamber office JUNE 23 PUBLIC AFFAIRS ROUNDTABLE 7:15 a.m., Commission Auditorium Williamson County Administrative Complex 1320 West Main Street, Franklin Speakers: State Reps. Glen Casada, Jeremy Durham and Charles Sargent JUNE 23 FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION 4 p.m., Chamber office JUNE 24 WOMEN IN BUSINESS 11:30 a.m., Spark, Lipscomb’s Idea Center 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 7, Franklin Speaker: Elizabeth DeBauche, Ohio Valley Conference Presented by Williamson Medical Center JUNE 26 MEMBER CONNECT! LEADS EXCHANGE Two sessions, members only 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Chamber office JUNE 27 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ON LOCATION 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jack Daniel’s Distillery 280 Lynchburg Highway Bus leaves at 9 a.m. from Chamber office JULY 8 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION 8 a.m., Chamber office Presented by First Citizens National Bank JULY 10 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BURGERS & BREWS Songwriter Round and Fundraiser 6 p.m., Eastern Flank Battlefield Park 1368 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin JULY 11 YOUR SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE: FIRST FRIDAY 7:30 a.m., E|SPACES 1550 West McEwen Drive, Suite 300 Speaker: Andy Collier, U.S. Department of Commerce Presented by FirstBank JULY 15 MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m., Franklin Marriott Cool Springs 700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin Speaker: Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson

RIBBON CUTTINGSJUNE 19, 2:30 p.m. • FirstBank JUNE 19, 4:30 p.m. • Studio Nooshin JUNE 20, 4:30 p.m. • Orange Theory FitnessJUNE 25, 11 a.m. • Jimmy’s Cleaners and Alterations

PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION.

Holt aces audition for TV role After a long and lauded broad-

cast career, Anne Holt never thought she would have to audi-tion to play herself on television. But that’s what happened when someone from the popular network drama “Nashville” called and said there was a cameo spot with her name on it and asked if she would send an audition tape.

“I actually did – I auditioned for Anne Holt,” the long-time Brentwood resident told a packed and amused audience at the May Women in Business (WIB) meeting at the Brentwood United Methodist Church. “I thank God I got it because I didn’t know how I would tell people if it went the other way.”

Holt, one of 13 children born to sharecropper parents in West Tennessee, recounted her journey from fresh graduate of the University of Tennessee to the anchor chair at Nashville’s

WKRN-TV. She said a chance encounter with a copy of Seventeen magazine helped her see the possibilities beyond her birthplace.

“My ticket to dis-covery really became a college education,” she said, noting that although neither of her parents gradu-ated high school, they were smart and gave their children “a good work ethic, a good sense of self-esteem and a good, solid Christian upbringing.”

She recalled how she was advised against going into broadcasting by a college adviser, who told her that career advancement might be difficult in the male-dominated field.

“I chose to see that glass as half full, so I immediately got a new adviser,” Holt explained.

But being the only female in her college classes, and facing pay and promotion discrimination on the job because of her gender didn’t deter Holt from her goals.

She soon moved from her first job at a Knoxville station to Nashville’s Channel 2, where she’s been a primary anchor since 1980.

As the station spokesperson for the “Food to Families”

campaign, which collects food for those in need with the help of local students, Holt makes fre-quent school appearances in the fall. She said the long-running program helps young people develop compassion and under-stand that hunger is everywhere.

Holt told the audience of business leaders that Williamson County is “a marvelous place to live and work, and I thank all of you for your part in keeping it there.”

The May meeting was presented by MedSolutions. The June WIB luncheon will move to Spark, Lipscomb’s Idea Center, 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 7, in Cool Springs. The featured speaker will be Elizabeth DeBauche, commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference, which includes college athletic teams in the midwestern and southeastern United States.

events&meetings

Getting together with speaker Anne Holt, center, are the Chamber’s Cindi Parmenter, left, Linda Hirsch, Dianne Conlee of presenting sponsor MedSolutions and the Chamber’s Nancy Conway.

Young Professionals (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

as well as support the community in a collaborative way,” said Amanda Murray, Williamson, Inc. Economic Development vice presi-dent and chair of the YP steering committee. The three groups will share and pass on any event profits to local non-profits. The YPs’ portion will go to support the Youth Leadership Brentwood program of the Williamson County Chamber Foundation.

“With the distillery visit and the other summer events, we’re encouraging participants to invite along clients or any other associate they want to get to know better,” explained Murray. “The extended

time and informality of the events offer a great opportunity to develop more connected relationships.”

The YPs also are organizing a golf and networking event to round out the warm-weather schedule. Sponsorships and other specifics are being firmed up.

Both Chamber members and non-members are invited to all of the popular YP events. Registration can be made online at williamsonchamber.com or by calling 615-771-1912.

The Young Professionals orga-nize programming and networking events oriented toward Chamber members who are 40 and younger

with the aim of nurturing leader-ship, extending business relation-ships and advancing careers.

“The goal is to get people engaged and connected to the community,” Murray said, adding that the ultimate aim is to keep these business and community leaders of tomorrow in Williamson County.

A 16-member steering committee plans and oversees YP meetings and events. Applications for that Chamber committee will be solicited again in the fall. For more information about YP events, contact [email protected].

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

LUNCHEON Tuesday, June 24

11:30 a.m.Spark

Lipscomb’s Idea Center

JOIN US NEXT TIME!

Find your showcase spot at the business expo

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Traffic fix requires funds, vision

The Williamson Chamber will host a business expo in Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin on Thursday, Sept. 25. Both members and non-members will be able to secure booths to showcase their products and services, and sponsors can choose from a variety of additional opportunities to promote their businesses. Chief Operating Officer Cindi Parmenter provides some details about this county-wide event in this month’s Q&A.

l What prompted the Chamber to organize a busi-ness expo this year as one of its quarterly signature events?

We are responding to interest from our members, some of whom participated in similar events with the former Franklin and Brentwood chambers before the county-wide unification. As a promotional opportunity for our local businesses, an expo is a great way to get their products and services in front

of a large number of people. The event also will provide an in-depth picture of the variety of companies doing business in Williamson County and allow representatives from those companies to exchange information with each other. The expo will provide a terrific opportunity for business-to-business connections while also serving community members, who may attend free of charge.

In addition, a portion of the profits from this signature event will help support the community educational and leadership development pro-grams for adults and youth run by the non-profit Williamson County Chamber Foundation. These highly regarded pro-grams have served about 365 adults since 1991 and about 300 high school students since 1995 and resulted in numer-ous public service projects that have benefited the community.

l What’s on the agenda for the day of the expo?

We’re very excited about having best-selling author and internationally known manage-ment consultant Susan Sladek as our keynote speaker for this event. She is an expert on how to engage young professionals and build relevant, future-focused organizations. Her XYZ University is the only management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations reach members of these so-called alphabet generations. I know all our attendees will benefit from hearing her innovative, insightful ideas about membership, marketing and employee engagement.

And because we understand the value of informal interaction, we plan to end the day with a mixer featuring hors d’oeuvres and beverages. We’ll all mingle and enjoy the refreshments while shoring up relationships

with both new and old clients and colleagues. And some of our excellent food and drink

vendors will have the chance to showcase their wonderful products and services.

l How can businesses reserve an exhibit space or a sponsorship?

We are finalizing the expo details now, so people soon will be able to read more about the event online at williamsonchamber.com. We are aiming to offer a range of participation opportunities to suit all types of businesses of

any size. Our meetings and events staff members – Abby Bass and Jenna Eckert – can

answer questions at 615-771-1912. And I am happy to talk with anyone interested in being a sponsor. I can be reached at the same Chamber number or by email at [email protected].

We’re very pleased to announce that TN Media already has signed on as the

premier presenting sponsor, and company representatives also will be hosting an informative seminar for expo attendees. We are seeking up to 12 supporting sponsors, who also will enjoy enhanced visibility related to the event. We know the expo will be very popular and well attended. And it also will be a great way to showcase and learn more about businesses in Williamson County.


CINDI PARMENTERChief Operating Officer, Williamson Chamber

Q A&

Designated funding and multimodal transportation options are needed to address traffic concerns now and into the future, participants learned at the first Public Affairs Council (PAC) meeting in May.

Michael Skipper, executive director of the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) joined local government leaders and others in discussing options for alleviating local and regional traffic problems. The participants noted that tightened federal funding is affecting what can be accomplished, while also pointing to the development of transportation choices other than individual cars as imperative for the future.

The MPO is the federally

designated transportation planning agency for more than 2,800 square miles and 1.5 million people in Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson and parts of Maury and Robertson County.

The agency worked for three years with local elected officials to develop a Regional Transportation Plan that looks out to 2035 and will guide nearly $6 billion expected to be allocated in federal, state and local funds in the seven-county region. The plan is aimed at helping to alleviate traffic congestion, expand transportation options, improve system

operations and meet air quality goals over the next two decades.

The Regional Transporta-tion Plan is available on the

MPO website, nashvillempo.org. The website also provides a list of Williamson County

transportation-related projects planned through 2017 under the “Project Tracker” link.

The PAC is organized quarterly by Williamson, Inc., the Chamber and Economic Development, as an in-depth examination of a community or public policy topic that tops the agenda of local businesses and residents.

PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENTS COMMUTINGCOUNTY-TO-COUNTY*

*2006-2008 American Community Survey Data in bold (2000 Census data in parenthesis).Shows all flows of 3% or greater.Source: CTPP Full Data Release September 2010. US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2006-2008 3-year estimates.

QUARTERLY PUBLIC AFFAIRS

COUNCILThursday, Aug. 14

7:30 a.m. • location TBA

JOIN US NEXT TIME!


Education initiative sends professionals to school, students to work

Golf Classic brings business community together

Summit High School teacher Amanda Muniz knows the value of helping her entrepreneurship students get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of work. This year they’ve learned about the challenges of owning a business, how to promote products and more from speakers recruited through the education initiative partnership formed earlier this year between Williamson, Inc. and the Williamson County Schools (WCS).

“The guest speakers were able to bring standards taught throughout the year to life by providing real-world stories and first-hand experiences,” Muniz explained. Tracy Hill of Blink Marketing was the most recent speaker to share her expertise with the class.

About 60 volunteers have completed the required orien-tation for volunteering in the schools after signing up to participate when the educa-

tion initiative was introduced at the Chamber’s January membership meeting. The initiative is seeking individual professionals and companies interested in volunteering sup-port in these areas: speakers bureau; career exploration day; student job shadowing; student internships; teacher job shadowing, called externships, and student work-based learning co-ops.

In addition to encouraging business professionals to share their experiences with classes, the education initiative also has led to 10 summer student internships being offered at local businesses. Melissa Houck, development director with Susan G. Komen Greater Nashville, said the breast cancer support group offered an internship so that students could learn how skills of all kinds can be utilized in the non-profit community.

“It’s a whole industry sector out there,” she explained. “At

their age, they may only think of it as a volunteer opportu-nity.” And internships help students show colleges and prospective employers that they can handle workplace responsibilities, she added.

As of press time, three high school teachers were seeking summer job shadowing place-ments with companies related to graphic design, photography or animation. Any business professional who would like to help these and other educa-tion professionals in their efforts to refresh and expand their skills and knowledge can contact WCS Career Counselor Rebecca Collins at [email protected]. She serves as the liaison for the education initiative partnership, working out of the Chamber office one day a week.

“Williamson, Inc. is committed to supporting the schools in this partnership for the long haul, and we are energized by the great relation-

ship we have developed with our excellent school system,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Largen.

Collins will be recruiting

additional volunteers for the education initiative on an ongoing basis, both individual business professionals and companies. For the Speakers Bureau, she is especially

focused on engaging profes-sionals in career areas not yet covered. To participate or ask questions, email her at [email protected].

More information about the Williamson, Inc. partner-ship with WCS is available under the “Education” link on the website’s main menu at williamsonchamber.com.

The Chamber’s second Golf Classic since the unification brought more than 200 players together for a day of play and networking on June 4 at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin.

After the golf clubs were tucked away, tournament participants and others enjoyed the 19th Hole Awards Mixer featuring door prizes, food, music and recognition of the day’s top players.

The popular Golf Classic is one of the Chamber’s four annual signature events. Proceeds support educational, leadership and networking opportunities, including the multi-month youth and adult leadership programs overseen by the non-profit Williamson County Chamber Foundation.

The Chamber would like to thank Nissan for signing on to be the presenting and hole-in-one sponsor. Sad to say, none of this year’s players took home the handsome Nissan automobile offered for making that coveted shot.

Williamson Medical Center also partnered as the championship sponsor. Several other businesses provided promotional coverage, food, drink and give-away items for the Classic and the mixer. All those supporters are recognized on williamsonchamber.com with the event descriptions.

Cut through tech confusion at MyITFuture.com website

Confused about what people mean when they talk about IT? Parents, students and others can get an inside look at information technology training, job prospects and salaries on the new website MyITFuture.com.

Posted on the Williamson County Schools Career and Technical web page, the informative link grew out of the work of the school system’s Technology Advisory Board. It explains jobs related to IT, lists the related courses offered at county high schools, and highlights local companies hiring IT professionals. MyITFuture.com also includes a helpful FAQ list and direct links to middle and high school counselors.

The Young Professionals always mix fun with business, as shown here by Derek Hoevel, back left, Jesse Estes, Travis Hampton and Eric Bero. Nissan was the Golf Classic presenting sponsor,

represented by this foursome, from left, Clay Glassaway, Brian Delauter, Tom Cantabene and Chris Czarka.

Williamson Medical Center Foundation’s Steve Smith, left, teamed up with Eric Stuckey, Matt Largen and Pryor Manning. The medical center was a championship sponsor.

Classic co-chairs Emily Dresch and Bart Jones contributed many hours to make the day go smoothly, then enjoyed touring the course to greet and thank the players.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M. BASS

Vanessa Pogarch and Ken Rajotte from

Trinisys, a hole-in-one sponsor, enjoyed networking with

other golfers.

JUNE 2014 Vol. 16 Issue 6 in this June breakfast meeting ...

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