Ted Townsend

President and CEO

I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire career. From the private sector where I know what it means to start and grow a business in Memphis, to my years in the public sector, working to grow Memphis’ economy. No one will out-work my passion for my hometown. I expect greatness everyday and that starts with applying my experience, my network and leadership of a committed team with a shared belief system in making Memphis Greater. I will connect you with what makes Memphis special. I will share my vision with you so that you also will become a Memphis advocate and champion. You’ll come away with an understanding and fervor to plug in, be present in our success and articulate our community pride to the world. Unapologetically.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
FedEx

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Play tourist in Memphis

Commute-to-work time:
5 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2020

Contact me for:
If you’re seeking to fill your “Memphis Cup,” reach out and let’s have a conversation that will change the way you view the world through the prism of a region transformed … a Greater Memphis.

Courtney Blanchard

Chief of Staff

"My professional voyage has been a dynamic exploration of politics, education, and community growth, each chapter instilled with a commitment to making a positive impact. It all began when I embarked on my academic journey, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, driven by a deep curiosity about the forces shaping our world. As my academic career at the University of Memphis reached its apex, I was honored to be selected for a pivotal role as a Tennessee State Legislative Intern for the House Education Chairman during my senior year. This experience not only gave me invaluable insights into the inner workings of government but also instilled in me a profound appreciation for the transformative power of education. Upon graduating, I eagerly jumped into the dynamic world of political campaigns, working tirelessly to support Tennessee House candidates. These campaigns provided me with a ringside view of grassroots democracy and the importance of community engagement. Recognizing the broader role that educational institutions play in community development, I transitioned to the University of Memphis' Economic Development + Government Relations office. Here, I honed my skills in forging partnerships and advocating for initiatives that fostered economic growth and community well-being. In 2021, I took the next exciting step in my professional journey by joining the GREATER team at the Greater Memphis Chamber. It's more than just a job; it's a privilege to promote a Greater Memphis every day. Here, I am part of a dynamic force driving economic development, workforce development, advocating for businesses, and championing the revitalization of our vibrant city. My professional background reflects my unwavering passion for civic engagement, community development, and the belief that each of us can be a catalyst for positive change. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as I continue to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Memphis, a city I am proud to call home."

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Overton Park Shell

Favorite home-grown business:
Wiseacre

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Support my local restaurants and shops

Commute-to-work time:
12 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Guidance Chamber initiatives, strategic planning, and navigating business development and community engagement for success.

Nancy Coffee

Senior Vice President

"Nancy leads the Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle, a group of 180 corporate executives dedicated to growing economic prosperity in our region. With a strong commitment to civic involvement, Nancy has served on numerous boards, including the Executive Committee of LeMoyne Owen College, Memphis’ HBCU, and the founding board of Memphis Fourth Estate, a non-profit established to create and support the Daily Memphian. Nancy was recruited to the Chamber from New Memphis Institute, where she was president & CEO. While at New Memphis she received the Thomas Briggs Award in recognition of her exceptional initiative to make Memphis attractive to the best and brightest. She was also recognized in the inaugural cohort of Superwomen in Business and is a Top 40 under 40 awardee. She has served as vice president for Arts Memphis and as program officer with the Council on Global Affairs. Her work in international relations landed her on the cover of Newsweek as the face of “Generation Global.” Nancy has degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago and wrote her undergraduate thesis at the London School of Economics. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Collage Dance Collective

Favorite home-grown business:
FedEx

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Hike in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Commute-to-work time:
8 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2019

Contact me for:
To be involved in our relentless pursuit of prosperity for all.

Lisa Lovell

Director of Chairman’s Circle Engagement

I worked in broadcast news for 28 years as an assignment editor, producer, executive producer, and news director. Started in Upstate NY, worked in Scranton, PA, and was excited to move to Memphis. The part I most enjoyed about covering news in Memphis for 16 years was giving tours of my adopted hometown to producer, reporter and anchor candidates. I love Memphis and I'm so happy to be working every day to help make Memphis greater!

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Tie: Annual RiverArts Fest & Annual Soul of the City Tour at Elmwood

Favorite home-grown business:
Dinstuhl's Fine Candies

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Visit a local festival or brewery

Commute-to-work time:
40 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2020

Contact me for:
Learning how to engage in the work of the Chairman's Circle.

Robert Recker

President, Chamber Benefits, Inc.

I've had the pleasure of working with thousands of small business owners and middle market executives at metro chambers around the country during my 35-year chamber career. No matter the city, all business owners and executives have the same issues-reducing expenses, attracting and retaining skilled talent, growing market share, and solving regulatory issues affecting their business. If your business is having a challenge in any of these areas, or something else, my colleagues and I can provide you with the resources to solve the problems that get in the way of the growth of your enterprise.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis Opera Company

Favorite home-grown business:
Stock & Belle

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Photography

Commute-to-work time:
I measure my commute in steps

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Reducing your business’s essential expenses.

Amy Daniels

Chief Communications Officer

As an Italian, Amy Daniels knows a thing or two about being loyal, perhaps that is why she is celebrating her 27th year at the Greater Memphis Chamber. Being loud about it and the city she and her family now call home, well, that comes naturally, too. Born in El Paso, Texas, and as most good Texans are, she was raised to be proud of where you come from. As Chief Communications Officer for the Chamber, Amy has the privilege of overseeing a range of responsibilities related to corporate communications, media relations, social media, public relations, investor relations, programming/events, and crisis communications. Throughout her tenure at the Chamber, Amy has had the honor of working with some of the best Memphis business leaders, movers & shakers, and on occasion a superhero or two. Amy is married to Doug Daniels, is mom to Cate Daniels, and is all things to her pup, Lucy Daniels.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Graceland

Favorite home-grown business:
Bella Vita

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Love spending time with my family, walking my dog, Lucy, and shopping!

Commute-to-work time:
22 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
1996

Contact me for:
Ways in how you can tell your story

Terri Bosby

Project Manager, Stakeholder Relations

I am what you call the "Chamber Cheerleader" I love people and I love my job. Greater Memphis Chamber is a key peace to this City. We are here to serve and help Small or Big Businesses. I bring my heart to the table every day at the Chamber rain, snow, or sleet we are always ready to help.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis Grizzlies

Favorite home-grown business:
Rocking Nutrition

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Go to Marshalls

Commute-to-work time:
30 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2016

Contact me for:
Grand openings, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, anniversaries — we do it all!

Tunga Lee

Director of Events

Planning and execution of events for Chamber or with partnering organizations

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Spend quality time with family

Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
1999

Contact me for:
Chamber events or membership.

Patricia McKinney

Project Manager, Member Programming

I marry the critical thinking of a media buyer to the consultative style of a business development professional, and I top it off with a drive to help position small businesses for success.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Collage Dance

Favorite home-grown business:
Independent Bank

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Reflect

Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2016

Contact me for:
Getting plugged into the Chamber's Small Business and Women's Business Councils.

Ryan Poe

Director of Communications

Before joining the Greater Memphis Chamber, I was an award-winning reporter and columnist for more than a decade, at various times covering business, economic development, government, and politics as a reporter before becoming an opinion columnist with a daily newsletter about anything and everything Memphis. I love Memphis, so when I decided to leave journalism, joining a team focused on bringing economic opportunities to the region was an easy decision.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
FedExForum

Favorite home-grown business:
FedEx

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Grab coffee and read a good book at one of our many great local coffee shops.

Commute-to-work time:
20 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Anything and everything communications

Gwyn Fisher

Chief Economic Development Officer

"Gwyn Fisher, a native Memphian who has played a pivotal role in bringing jobs and investment to West Tennessee for more than a decade, became the chief economic development officer of the Greater Memphis Chamber in December 2022. In her role, she oversees economic development for the Chamber, which is the primary economic development organization for the Greater Memphis region. Fisher joins the Chamber at an exciting time for Greater Memphis, which had its best year ever for economic development in 2021, with more than 9,300 new jobs announced. A signature project – and one that Fisher worked on closely with the Chamber team – was Ford’s BlueOval City electric vehicle manufacturing campus, the single largest private investment in Tennessee history and in Ford’s history. Before joining the Chamber, Gwyn served as the Greater Memphis Regional Director of Economic and Community Development for the State of Tennessee from 2013-2022, with a four-county area that included Memphis. In that role, she focused on helping make Tennessee the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high-quality jobs and brought more than 23,600 jobs and $7 billion to the region. Prior to joining the state, Fisher was the founder and CEO of Revolution Strategy (2011-2013), helping government and community leaders form public-private partnerships, while also working for FedEx Express (2012-2013). Fisher previously served as the executive director of MPACT Memphis (2008-2011), which she built into one of the nation’s largest independent organizations for young professionals. She also developed and executed one of the nation’s largest grassroots surveys of young professionals, The Voice of MPACT, which was published and distributed by Contemporary Media. A graduate of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and of Scripps College, Fisher has a long history of community involvement and currently serves on the following boards: River City Capital (chairwoman), Memphis Museum of Science & History (formerly Pink Palace), and the Delta Leadership Network’s Regional Advisory Council. Gwyn is also a graduate of Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute, Commissioner’s Leadership Academy, LEAD Tennessee, and Leadership Memphis, and is a member of the American Friends of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the West Tennessee District Export Council. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
All our amazing festivals!

Favorite home-grown business:
I can't decide!

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Enjoy a beautiful Memphis sunset on the river

Commute-to-work time:
8 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
Anything related to doing business in the Digital Delta or throughout the Memphis region, and to learn about our shovel-ready sites or take a community tour.

Jeanette Jones

Manufacturing Industry Council Director, Existing Business Consultant

I consider myself as the ultimate business professional. I sold television advertising and radio to businesses in Memphis for 27 years before I came to the Chamber in 2019. My role at the Chamber is to make sure that businesses have what they need to stay and grow in Memphis as a Manufacturing Industry Council Director and an Existing Business Consultant. This role gives me the opportunity to offer businesses resources without a financial ask. In addition, this role gives me the opportunity to connect companies with other local entities that will help them to build a strong talent pipeline for sustainability.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Southern Heritage Classic

Favorite home-grown business:
Curry and Jerk Jamaican Restaurant

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Binge watch Netflix

Commute-to-work time:
25-30 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2019

Contact me for:
Contact me if you are looking to grow the footprint of your business in Memphis.

Susan Hadley Maynor

Vice President, Economic Development

Working in Economic Development for over 20 years and 17 of them at the Greater Memphis Chamber is the best job ever! It is very rewarding when you help a local company grow and thrive in Memphis and when you recruit a great company to call Memphis home. You know that, doing your job, you make a difference in the lives of Memphians. Also it is rewarding to work in the Greater Memphis MSA. I love getting to know the towns and, especially the people in our own backyard.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis Zoo

Favorite home-grown business:
Feeling Memphis

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
NOTHING

Commute-to-work time:
3 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2006

Contact me for:
Looking for industrial sites in the Memphis MSA.

Troy Parkes

Director of Business Development

"As a seasoned Economic Development Professional, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Greater Memphis Chamber community. Over the course of my dynamic career, I have consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the Memphis region. One of my most notable achievements has been the creation of a vibrant research and technology park within a prestigious local university. This endeavor was marked by a strategic vision to bridge academia and industry, cultivating an ecosystem where groundbreaking research could seamlessly translate into tangible, high-impact solutions. By fostering collaboration among faculty, students, and industry leaders, I successfully transformed this park into a thriving hub of innovation, propelling Memphis to the forefront of cutting-edge technology and research. My dedication to Memphis's economic advancement is deeply rooted in a passion for realizing its full potential. I firmly believe that our city possesses the infrastructure, human capital and advanced industries to become a prominent force in the global economic landscape. It is this belief that fuels my commitment to facilitating strategic growth initiatives and fostering an environment where innovation thrives. As a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber team, I look forward to collaborating with like-minded professionals, businesses, and organizations to continue propelling our city toward a prosperous future. Together, we can harness the power of the Digital Delta to cement Memphis's position as a vibrant economic force. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
Gibson Donuts

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Hang with my wife and kids

Commute-to-work time:
35 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
Site selection, relocation to Memphis, economic development information.

Shelby Spurgeon

Director of Business Development

"Shelby Spurgeon is a Director of Business Development at the Greater Memphis Chamber. She has held this position since June 2021. Prior to joining the Chamber, Shelby served as the Director of Economic Development at the Weakley County Economic Development Board. While in college, she completed internships with TVA, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and Mississippi Development Authority. Through her many experiences, Shelby has gained a vast knowledge of economic development that provides usual in her daily role at the Greater Memphis Chamber. Shelby graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She was involved in Phi Mu Sorority and was elected to be the President of the National Panhellenic Council. Shelby was inducted into the Greek Hall of Fame in March 2019. She is continuing her education with the Tennessee Certified Economic Developers Courses. She is a 2019 graduate of Weakley County Leadership. She has attended TVA Economic Developer’s Orientation and is a graduate of TVA’s Rural Leadership Institute. Shelby has served on the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce Board, Weakley County United Way Board, and the Weakley County Young Professional Board. She was chosen to serve on the Tennessee Economic Partnership Board. She is a member of the Tennessee Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council. She is a Mentor for Tennessee Achieves. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Grizzlies Games!

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Spend time with my family & my newborn daughter :)

Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Business relocation to Memphis, economic development information, and incentive information.

Diamond Young

Director of Market Strategy

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Inkwell

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:

Commute-to-work time:
10 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
Marketing partnerships

Ted Ferris

Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

My background is in finance and accounting but over the years has evolved into management, operations, human resources, IT and revenue development. Creating and selling new revenue streams for the Chamber in order for the Chamber to be able to deliver more on the Chambers mission while at the same time ensuring compliance and accountability throughout the organization.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Griz Games

Favorite home-grown business:
FedEx

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Ride or run the trails

Commute-to-work time:
40 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2006

Contact me for:
Help on anything. I can either provide an answer or point you in the right direction.

Kendra Kea

Staff Accountant & Grant Administrator

Finance and Operations

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Southern Heritage Classic

Favorite home-grown business:
Bubble Bistro

Favorite thing to do on a day off:

Commute-to-work time:

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
((N/A))

Natalie Mitchell

Receptionist

I have years of experience working in an Administration capacity as well as the Education field. I was a 1st grade teacher with Memphis-Shelby County Schools prior to joining the Greater Memphis Chamber. Though I love and miss my babies, I do not regret my decision to change careers. I count it a privilege to witness the inner workings of the Chamber with how it creates and supports economic growth in Memphis. I enjoy my team, and look forward to work every day. We truly make Memphis GREATER!

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Cultural Attraction: National Civil Rights Museum...Cultural Activity: Memphis In May

Favorite home-grown business:
Jack Pirtle's Chicken!!

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
I love to spend time terrorizing my two kiddos, or hiding from them when they return the favor!

Commute-to-work time:
12 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2023

Contact me for:
Finding anyone at the Chamber. I will surely put your call through!

Chris Stewart

VP of Finance & Administration

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Bass Pro Shops and Central BBQ

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:

Commute-to-work time:

Year I started at the Chamber:
2005

Contact me for:
Information about your Chamber membership or becoming a Chamber member!

Bobby White

Chief Government Relations Officer

Before beginning at the Chamber, I served in leadership for nearly 20 years on the public sector side for a Member of the U.S. Congress, the Shelby County Mayor, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the Memphis Mayor. My career inspiration in working with elected and public officials was inspired by my working directly with Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson during my time at Morehouse College.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Live music

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Bury my phone in a hole

Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2019

Contact me for:
Helping to solve problems that involve government or the community.

Lydia Holmes

Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

An Arkansas native, Lydia has spent her career advocating for business and agriculture to policy makers. Her early career was spent in Washington, D.C. where she specialized in regulatory policy for the U.S. rice industry and advocated across the industry for greater agriculture sustainability. Moving back to Memphis (a mere six months before the world shut down for the pandemic!) was a chance to live closer to family and to come back to her roots. As a new mom, Lydia and her husband are excited to share their favorite parts of Memphis with their daughter. At the Chamber, Lydia focuses on ways to elevate the profile of the Memphis business community with policy makers and how we can make an impact on our Greater Memphis community. Lydia is an alumnus of Rhodes College and the George Washington University.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
The Memphis Zoo

Favorite home-grown business:
Phillip Ashley Chocolates

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Take a long walk by the river.

Commute-to-work time:
10 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Partnering on issues at the local, state, or federal government.

Tecora Murray

Executive Director, Greater Memphis Economic Research Group

"Beginning as a Research Analyst III at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) for the State of Missouri's Department of Economic Development (DED) in 2011, Tecora produced real-time labor market products and communicated information about the Missouri labor market trends to stakeholders, fostering productive discussions in support of economic and workforce development initiatives. Out of her work, she created the Labor Supply & Demand report, identifying the gap between job seekers and employers. After serving the State of Missouri, she was ready to move back to Tennessee where she served as a Research Manager for the Center for Economic Research Team (CERT) at the State of Tennessee's Department of Economic & Community Development (TNECD), where she played a pivotal role in strategic planning for company recruitment and expansion. Her responsibilities included maintaining and reporting departmental data on job commitments and grant programs, building interactive dashboards, overseeing programmatic changes related to the CRM system, and ensuring high-quality data through effective database management. She also provided leadership and guidance for training planning and execution to enhance employees' CRM system skills. Now, as the Executive Director at the Greater Memphis Chamber (GMC), she leads the Greater Memphis Economic Research Group (GMERG). Her tenure is marked by a relentless commitment to fostering quality job growth and catalyzing investment activity in the Greater Memphis region. She excels in crafting comprehensive economic development strategies, leveraging market data, and creating an environment conducive to business competitiveness. She adeptly harnesses her research prowess to identify emerging opportunities and challenges, translating them into actionable recommendations through an array of impactful economic research products. Her journey exemplifies a dedication to advancing economic vitality, making her an invaluable asset in propelling Greater Memphis forward into a prosperous future."

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Going to the National Civil Rights Musuem

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Hangout with my family

Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
Insights, guidance, or solutions in economic development, labor market trends, or strategic planning for business growth and expansion.

Abby Lature

Economic Development Specialist

I started my career at the Greater Memphis Chamber after interning here when I was still in undergrad in 2020. Previously, I interned at Greater Jackson Chamber and Leadership Memphis where I learned valuable skills + knowledge about economic and community development.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
Silk n Honey

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Yoga classes around the community

Commute-to-work time:
10 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2020

Contact me for:
Economic development information

MacKenzie Stonis

Economic Research Analyst

Following more than a decade of high velocity professional growth in the food manufacturing and distribution industries, I finally made good on my threat to return to school for a Master's Degree in Economics - a topic I've been passionate about since high school. Now, with all my new economic analysis party tricks, I have the incredible responsibility of using data to help Memphis build an economy that provides opportunities for all residents to seek and FIND generation changing success.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Indie Memphis Film Fest

Favorite home-grown business:
So-Giv

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Have a beer and a sandwich on a patio somewhere while reading a good book.

Commute-to-work time:
15 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021 as a Research Fellow, 2022 "Officially"

Contact me for:
Data on all the things! Industry information, workforce data benchmarking, economic impact studies - no inquiry is too big or too small. And the occasional Dad joke - I can help you with that too.

Donnell Word

Director of Economic Development

Donnell is a native Memphian and joined the Chamber in 2016, eventually becoming Director of Economic Development in 2021. As Director of Economic Development, he manages requests for information from firms seeking to locate in the Memphis area. He earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of West Georgia.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Favorite home-grown business:
Memphis Record Pressing (One of the largest producers of vinyl records in the U.S.)

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Visit Shelby Farms Park!

Commute-to-work time:
30 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2016

Contact me for:
Contact me if you are seeking information to locate your business to Memphis.

Blake Payne

Membership Sales Manager

Since moving to Memphis in 2018, I have fallen in love with the city and our memphis culture. Getting my start with the Memphis Grizzlies in communications then to flipping houses, real estate, renovations, to lastly industrial staffing for a variety of memphis manufacturing companies. I have had my hand in a little of everything to which allows me to be a premier advisor for a variety of businesses looking for brand awareness and engagement opportunities.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis in May! (It's what originally brought me to Memphis)

Favorite home-grown business:
Primas Bakery and Boutique

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Anything DIY

Commute-to-work time:
35 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Chamber membership.

DeQuanda Smith

Senior Director of Sponsorship Sales

"I stimulate partnerships in business by working closely with executives or teams to ensure maximum use of resources for share increases and elevated market positions; foster and extend client relationships through consistent service and unique solutions; create and execute memorable market- exclusive initiatives; and implement hands-on problem solving techniques to build and sustain client trust and business growth. My work is results. As a leader with a robust passion for sales and client results, I enjoy blending with the climates of companies and teams as well as departments and community facets necessary to secure turn key partnerships. My strategy includes creating, launching, monitoring, maintaining, and delivering tailored sponsorships, campaigns and projects that exceed expectation! Modestly, I consider myself a self-driven and focused professional with a passion to lead, motivate, cultivate, and triumph. I am eager to bring a high level of integrity to every conversation."

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:

Favorite home-grown business:
The Reaves Law Firm

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Listen to music and have wine on the back patio

Commute-to-work time:
5 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2018

Contact me for:
Winning strategies and solutions that align with your company's mission, vision and goals while elevating your brand and increasing market position.

Leland Buress III

Senior Membership Account Executive

"I worked in the marketing and advertising space for nearly 20 years before joining the Greater Memphis Chamber. With a focus on digital marketing, my goal was to help businesses (large and small) thrive in the Memphis market while improving their brand image in markets nationwide and internationally. My past experiences lend themselves perfectly to my current role at the Greater Memphis Chamber. I'm able to help businesses connect and take advantage of resources designed and created with their success in mind. Simply put, I get to make the city I love ""Greater"" everyday! "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
The Memphis Zoo and Redbirds Baseball

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Spend time with my family

Commute-to-work time:
40 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Chamber membership.

Vera E. Terrell

Membership Account Executive

Experienced in outside B2B sales ranking in top 5%. I am self-motivated and work successfully independently or as a team member. Strong presentation and communications skills that cultivate relationships and establish client trust. Pacesetter award for Outstanding Sales and Services, consecutively achieved and President's Circle Award for Outstanding Sales and Services. I love people and I never meet a stranger.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
The Mississippi River

Favorite home-grown business:
Memphis Botanic Gardens

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Fitness and relaxation

Commute-to-work time:
20 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Chamber membership

Amity Schuyler

Chief Innovation Officer & SVP of Workforce Development

There's not a single professional day in my career that hasn't been spent serving my community. I am a gladiator for underdogs and like to spend my time leading systemic changes so that individuals and businesses can thrive .

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
Victory Bicycle Studio

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Wait, we get days off?

Commute-to-work time:
4 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2021

Contact me for:
Workforce, workforce, workforce! And if you want to hear what it's like to work and play in Memphis, I’ll coach you in!

Amber Covington

Director of Workforce Development

"Amber Covington, Director of Workforce Development for the Greater Memphis Chamber is a native Memphian, Vanderbilt University graduate with 16+ years of workforce and economic development previously serving as Project Director at the American Job Center for WIOA programs. Amber is Vice President of the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Memphis. She is an active member of Riverside Missionary Baptist Church. She is a member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc (professional business organization), where she serves as Journalist. In 2022, Amber was featured in Memphis Voyager and Canvas Rebel for her contributions in workforce development. In May 2022, Amber was recognized as a S.H.E. (Strong, Hands-On, and Elegant) Legend for Business and Corporate due to her contributions in the workforce development space. In December 2022, Amber received the Workforce Mid-South President’s Award. Currently, she is participating as a fellow in the workforce leadership academy through the Aspen Institute. Workforce development is Amber's passion as she wants all to thrive and achieve economic mobility. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Stax Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
The Peanut Shoppe

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Relax and listen to music.

Commute-to-work time:
15 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2023

Contact me for:
Workforce development information.

Sondra Howell

Vice President, Talent Innovation

"Sondra Howell, Vice President of Talent Innovation and Community Development for the Greater Memphis Chamber, is an experienced workforce development, human resource and community advocate with over twenty-five years of combined experience. Her passion for supporting individuals and families reach their personal self-sufficiency goals is evidenced by her success in leading diverse teams of professionals and managing robust portfolios of workforce, economic development and social service programs. Howell considers herself a life-long learner and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration as well as a Master’s in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She has also served as a Talent and Education Fellow with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), a Talent Pipeline Management Fellow with the US Chamber Foundation and a Workforce Fellow with Results for America. Additionally, she currently serves on the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Board of Directors and the TN Department of Education Business Engagement Council. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
The Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
Kenetix Performance and Fitness

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Attend a local festival or farmer’s market

Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2018

Contact me for:
Workforce support and community partnerships.

Jessica Mosley

Director of Community Development

"Jessica presents over 10 years of experience in business and community development, marketing and communications, and data management combined with skills in collaborating and executing diverse projects and large-scale events. She earned a Master’s degree in City & Regional Planning from The University of Memphis and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Louisiana State University. During her graduate studies, she gained international experience in community development in Sicily, Italy as a part of a collaborative research team. As Director of Community Development at the Greater Memphis Chamber, Jessica contributes to the Chamber’s efforts of strengthening local communities to build a more inclusive economy in Memphis. She works with diverse businesses and community organizations to implement strategies to address neighborhood-level economic needs and improve access to business growth opportunities. In 2023, Jessica was recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Shaping the Chamber Industry. Prior to joining the Chamber, Jessica worked with Self+Tucker Architects as Planning & Marketing Coordinator where she was heavily involved with the Memphis 3.0 - City of Memphis Comprehensive Plan as a consultant. She has worked with a wide range of community organizations, public officials and business owners to help create strategic plans for their neighborhood. Her work included leading focus group discussions and community meetings, analyzing demographic data, and creating presentations and reports based on research and findings. Jessica has dedicated countless hours to various organizations across the city including: Greater Memphis Chamber Young Professionals Council, City of Memphis Multicultural Advisory Board, Memphis Urban League Young Professionals, Collage Dance Collective, New Memphis Institute, Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In her spare time, she loves practicing and teaching yoga as well as taking long walks with her husband Jonathan and their fur babies Eli and Sunny."

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:

Favorite home-grown business:

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Engage in local arts scene

Commute-to-work time:
15 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2019

Contact me for:
Community partnerships.

Erik Stevenson

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

I have had the honor to be many things, professionally, before Serving as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director here at The Greater Memphis Chamber. Each career opportunity has enabled me to see humanity through a different lens which provides context to my work today. After my Iraqi deployment as a sergeant, I became an operations manager within companies like Technicolor and FedEx. Enabling me to understand the heartbeat of our local economy. I later became a residential and commercial real estate broker which opened my eyes to economic mobility and disparity through the granular work of building wealth, or not, via real assets. Beyond that, I worked in commercial vibrancy and equal business compliance for a quasi-governmental agency that administered incentive programs, there I gained an understanding of how large scale commercial real estate projects impact the economy. Immediately before working at the Greater Memphis Chamber, I had the privilege to serve in the C-Suite of the largest Black owned public private partnership firm in the county. There we designed, built, and financed commercial structures on behalf of municipalities, and minority serving institutions, most of which were in socioeconomically and undeserved communities across the southeastern United States. Each of those amazing opportunities have positioned me to do my part to enable “Prosperity for All” here in the Greatest City in America, Memphis.

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum

Favorite home-grown business:
Universial Commercial

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Take a drive through the city

Commute-to-work time:
32 minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
2022

Contact me for:
Learning why Memphis is the city of the future.

Donn Fisher

PhD Executive Director, Academy of Innovation for Memphis

"34-Year History of MSQPC and Dr. Donald C. Fisher's Activities MSQPC celebrated its 34th Anniversary on April 21, 2022. We are excited about the numerous accomplishments we have achieved over the past 34 years (April 21, 1988, through June 30, 2021). In addition to our many accomplishments, MSQPC through the leadership of Donald C. Fisher, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO has also experienced several recessionary setbacks over its 34 years of operations, and they include the 1990s Recession and unemployment growth within the manufacturing sector that had a major impact on our training/consulting offerings to local manufacturing organizations. The 2001 9/11 Attack on the World Trade Center impacted MSQPC’s extensive global consulting business with Swissair out of Zurich, Switzerland, and their international Gate Gourmet Catering operation. The 2007 Housing Crisis and recession impacted many of our local clients and the Center experienced numerous contract cancellations. The Great Recession of 2008 and 2009 had a major impact on our Center’s manufacturing and service sector business. And most recently the Covid-19 Pandemic had a major impact on MSQPC’s training and public workshop engagements through FY 2020-2021 and FY 2021-2022. MSQPC has withstood over three decades of conducting business through trying times and financial hardships within the manufacturing, service, educational, governmental, and healthcare sectors. The Covid-19 pandemic, also known as the Coronavirus pandemic, is a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a public health emergency of international scale 0n January 30, 2020 and a pandemic on March 11, 2020, as of June 20, 2022, the pandemic had caused more than 539 million cases and 6.31 million confirmed deaths, making it one of the deadliest in history. Unfortunately, COVID-19 caused a major decline in our business model of offering exclusive in-person training, workshops, and consulting and our market share plummeted based on the Center having to offer online training/workshops, consulting, and Lean Six Sigma Certification. In addition, Southwest Tennessee Community College chose to shift its funding of the Center to accelerated career training. The Greater Memphis Chamber to Carry on Dr. Fisher's and MSQPC's Work The Greater Memphis Chamber to carry on Dr. Fisher's and the center’s work. The Chamber will incorporate Dr. Fisher's essential MSQPC products, training, assessments, and consulting services while Southwest Tennessee Community College will shift resources to accelerated career training. Nobody in the country has done what Dr. Fisher has done, during our history, he has assessed about 150 organizations worldwide, including St. Jude, Le Bonheur, the City of Germantown, and over 60 Memphis City Schools. I’m incredibly proud of our more than three decades of work to make the Mid-South a global example of business efficiency. In addition to being a Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Center of Emphasis, MSQPC is a Baldrige-based center, which means all of our products and services have been based on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, the worldwide standard for excellence in organizational performance. I was one of the original National Baldrige Award Examiners and have represented Baldrige, through MSQPC, and the Greater Memphis Chamber as a global consultant internationally, including countries such as Japan, Dubai, Germany, Ireland, Bangkok, and Mauritius. Through travels global “best practices” were brought back to Memphis and Mid-South organizations to help them to become ""World-Class"" Organizations within the Greater Memphis community. "

Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis In May

Favorite home-grown business:
Federal Express

Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Write books

Commute-to-work time:
30 Minutes

Year I started at the Chamber:
1993

Contact me for:

Lilliam Baez

Director, International Trade Administration

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