Chattanooga Area Chamber Of Commerce Names Interim President And CEO
Image Credit: Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their new interim president and CEO.
Janelle Reilly, board chair, announced on Thursday that Charles Wood would be taking over the role that is being vacated by Christy Gillenwater.
Gillenwater announced last week that she had accepted a new position as the CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and that she will assume that role in January 2023. According to Reilly, Gillenwater will continue to work alongside Wood for the remainder of 2022. Their goal is for a smooth transition for the Chamber.
“With more than 10 years’ experience here in Chattanooga and Hamilton County and having served in key economic development positions over 20 years, Charles Wood will provide consistent, strategic leadership during this critical transition time,” Ms. Reilly stated. “We’re pleased he accepted the interim role.”
Wood became a part of the Chattanooga Chamber in 2012 and has experienced working with a number of different government administrations. He headed up the Chamber’s first economic and talent development strategy. He also helped to work towards creating over 14,000 jobs and bringing in billions of dollars in investments to the Chattanooga area.
“Stepping into an interim leadership role in our amazing community is an honor and a privilege,” said Wood. “As the voice for business in our area, we will continue to work together with our community partners to execute our five-year economic and talent development plan, as well as champion our member businesses.”
Prior to coming to Chattanooga, Wood held similar Chamber positions in Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. He also worked in economic development positions in Mississippi and Texas. As the interim president and CEO, Wood will be supervising all of the programs and services of the Chattanooga Chamber and Chamber Foundation.
“I’d also like to thank our Chattanoooga Chamber boards and staff. They are dedicated professionals who are intensely focused on supporting our members and our mission,” Reilly stated.
Reilly also noted that the Chamber’s executive committee of the board of directors has already started the process of creating a plan for their search for the next president and CEO.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
