Harris calls for public input on Trenary’s successor
The Greater Memphis Chamber should involve the public in choosing the successor to Phil Trenary, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris wrote in a letter to the chamber.
Richard Smith, the chamber’s chairman, responded in a letter that the chamber does not represent the public at large, but rather the employer community.
“I believe that the public deserves some voice in potentially transformative decisions at the Chamber,” Harris wrote. “Specifically, I believe the Chamber of Commerce should involve the public in the decision to appoint the Chamber’s next leader. As such, I would encourage you to create a selection process that incorporates citizen input.”
Trenary, who was president and CEO of the chamber since 2014, was killed in a shooting in Downtown Memphis late last month. Three people have been charged with first-degree murder in his death.
In his response, Smith wrote that the chamber does not represent the public
at large, receives no city or county funding and does not have publicly elected leaders. Smith is CEO of FedEx Trade Networks.
“The constituency that the Chamber represents is that of the employer community,” Smith wrote. “These are the companies who have chosen to locate here in Memphis and Shelby County and who employ, either directly or indirectly, the vast majority of the workforce. So we speak for the tax base, at least a disproportionate share of it, and work closely with our duly elected City and County government officials to enhance our community for the benefit of all.”
Smith wrote that he welcomes input from elected officials and has already spoken with county commissioners and city council members regarding the next CEO, who will be appointed on an interim basis, and filling the position long term.
“This is a constituency that requires a strong, independent voice in the community,” Smith said in an email to The Commercial Appeal. “We work closely with our duly elected officials who represent the public at large on important civic enhancement initiatives, but like any private organization we select our leaders.”
The letter from Harris references the chamber’s involvement in local government decisions “where the Chamber has no formal role,” including retirement for city employees, pre-kindergarten funding and current efforts to remake the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE).
Harris also said chambers elsewhere are “not focused exclusively on business issues,” mentioning that the Nashville Chamber of Commerce supported a tax increase for investment in public transit.
Harris previously said that the Memphis Area Transit Authority should be a priority for the county as well as the city. MATA representatives made a presentation on current funding shortfalls to the Shelby County Commission last week.
“I absolutely welcome the Chamber’s input on all these public decisions,” Harris wrote. “It makes sense that Chambers of Commerce see their role more broadly, since public issues that affect the business community and our economy also affect the wider community.”