Chattanooga Chamber announces new staff, promotions

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has named new staff members and announced several promotions.

“It takes a dynamic, toplevel professional team to promote our region’s economic growth and exceed business member needs,” said Christy Gillenwater, Chattanooga Chamber president and chief executive officer.

New team members are:

› Ben Cairns, account executive: Cairns has lived in Chattanooga for 21 years and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia.

› Austin Corcoran, member services coordinator: A native Texan, Corcoran joins the Chamber staff after three years with SunTrust Bank.

› Josselyn Nielsen, executive assistant: Nielsen is a relative newcomer to the Chattanooga area. She previously served in the U.S. Navy, attended Utah Valley University and has community-based volunteer experience. She serves as assistant to the Chamber CEO.

› Brandon Pingry, director of membership: Pingry recently moved to Chattanooga from Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended the University of Alabama and has more than 10 years of business development and sales experience.

› Amanda Stewart, business intelligence specialist: Stewart hails from Dalton, Georgia, and studied business at Dalton State. After working in the power industry for more than 15 years, she recently relocated to Chattanooga from Atlanta. Promotions are:

› Sandra Brewer, vice president of membership and investor relations: A longtime Chattanooga resident and graduate of Covenant College, Brewer was a Chamber volunteer for 10 years before joining the Chamber team more than six years ago.

› Kerry Beth Carico, events manager: Carico handles all major annual events, AM/After Hours networking and the Chamber Champions sponsorship program.

› Amanda Ellis, marketing ang communications manager: A Chamber team member for five years, Ellis is a Belmont University grad and Chattanooga native.

› Jeremy Henderson, creative director: Henderson has worked with the Chamber for more than a decade.

› Eric Lisica, interactive content designer: Lisica’s Chamber tenure is seven years.

› Cameron Lusk, sales executive: Lusk supported the Chamber as a runner and assistant for two years.

› Meredith Rivers, director of member and investor relations: Rivers is now responsible for directing programs and services that benefit members.

› Lori Slatton, executive assistant: Slatton has served the Chamber for nearly 25 years and now transitions to supporting investor relations activities.