The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors has elected Christy Gillenwater as its president and CEO. She will assume the position in December.
Gillenwater has been president and CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce in Evansville, Indiana, since 2013. Prior to her current position, she was president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in Bloomington, Indiana, from 2005 until her present position.
During her most recent work in Evansville, Gillenwater increased membership, led diversity and inclusion initiatives, and launched new efforts in workforce readiness and for the development of that city’s downtown.
Gillenwater has been engaged in nearly $6 billion in economic development projects in Southwest Indiana. She co-led Evansville’s branding partnership, which built a new Chamber brand to align its value recognition and business community. She has experience in public policy and Chamber advocacy, and has worked with state and regional elected officials.
Gillenwater serves on the board of directors of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and is a member of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. She is a member of the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy advisory council and the Indiana INTERNnet board of directors. She was selected nationally for the Education Attainment’s Division Fellowship for Workforce Initiatives and was named the 2017 Indiana Chamber Executive of the Year.
Larry Buie, chairman of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, says, “Our transition committee is pleased with the selection of Christy, and our board is confident she will guide our Chamber and business community to new leading roles in the southeast.
“Our Chamber has made great strides in workforce readiness, Chattanooga 2.0, diversity and business growth. Building on these accomplishments while adding new priorities will be a great task for our staff and member leadership. We’re fortunate to have a leader with Christy’s experience and background to lead us in this work.”
Gillenwater earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs at Indiana University and her MBA from Ball State University. She and her family are current residents of Evansville, Indiana, and will be moving to the Chattanooga area by the end of the year.
Source: Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce