DECEMBER 2015
Vol. 17 | Issue 12
in this
ISSUE
PAGE 4
Highlights
from the Annual
Celebration
PAGE 7
Reflections
on county from
Chamber CEO
Williamson leaders appointed to Chamber’s board
Ten accomplished business
leaders have been tapped
to join the 2016 Board of
Directors to help lead
Williamson, Inc. to another
year of growth. They will lend
their respective talents and
expertise to provide overall
direction in accomplishing the
mission and strategic goals
of the Chamber.
The new board members
are:
• Nelson Andrews, Owner
& General Manager, Andrews
Cadillac/Jaguar/Land Rover Co.
• Derek Bell, Vice President
and Partner, Bell & Associates
Construction, and Owner/
Founder, Corsair Distillery
• Alex Fisch, Senior Vice
President of Capital Markets,
Southern Land Company
• Kelly Gilfillan, Chief
Executive Officer and Editor,
Home Page Media Group
• Cherie Hammond,
Business Development
Associate and Financial
Advisor, Aspen Grove Asset
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Nelson Andrews
Derek Bell
Alex Fisch
Kelly Gilfillan
Cherie Hammond
Richard Herrington
Tena Mayberry
Celeste Patterson
Richard Perko
Paige Thompson
New membership features coming in 2016
2016 SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!
Learn how to boost your
presence among the County’s
business community on page 6.
At Williamson, Inc., we take an innovative approach to building a prosperous
business community and pride ourselves
on listening to feedback from our members and acting accordingly. Here’s what
new features and benefits to expect
from the Chamber in 2016.
EVENTS
Held quarterly, each signature event
holds its own as a not-to-be-missed
occasion in the Williamson business
community, drawing hundreds of
professionals from various industries.
Save the date for Outlook Williamson
on March 15, 7 to 11 a.m. at The
Factory. This half-day economic forum
returns for its third installment featuring
regional, state and national experts who
will provide insider views, business trends
and a wide range of statistics on
Williamson County. On June 21, the
Business Expo returns to showcase our
members’ products and services to the
general public. Coming next fall will be a
transportation initiative adopted from best
practices learned during the Williamson
Forward: Expedition Austin trip this past
September. Mobility Week, set for Sept.
19-23, will be a week-long effort to
increase school bus ridership, ridesharing,
telecommuting and flex scheduling as a
way to reduce traffic congestion. We’ll
close out the year with the Annual
Celebration, scheduled for November 17.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Membership meetings are getting a
slight makeover as the format will change
to a combination of luncheons and mixers. The Chamber will host luncheons
with a guest speaker in January,
February, May, June, July, August and
Happy Holidays from Williamson, Inc.
Thank you for making
2015 a great year!
Ring in the new year with a chamber membership.
Join today!
5005 Meridian Blvd., Franklin TN 37067 l 615-771-1912 l williamsonchamber.com
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Page 2
THE POINT l December 2015
WELCOME new members
These companies and individuals have made a commitment to business growth and to their community
by joining the Williamson Chamber. They will enjoy the benefits of a robust business directory listing on the
Chamber website and referrals from our office and from fellow members. When you need products or
services, please search the directory on the Chamber website and do business with a Chamber member.
JOIN THE MEMBER BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE WILLIAMSON CHAMBER – CALL US TODAY AT 615-771-1912.
Bella Baskets
8348 Lochinver Park Ln.
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 519-3984
Lori Sherry
Benz & Company
1724 A General George Patton Dr.
Brentwood, TN 37027
(855) 337-6004
benzandcompany.com
Gary Benz
Carnivore
735 Columbia Ave.
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 614-3134
carnivoremarket.com
Virginia Botha
Cross Country Mortgage, Inc.
106 Mission Ct., Ste. 202
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 905-0074
myccmortgagetn.com
Brad Neumann
Crown Abbey, LLC
1409 Hunter Rd.
Franklin, TN 37064
(201) 574-3181
Heidi Beatty
Daniel Olson
7113 Tullamore Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
(847) 971-2394
linkedin.com/in/danolson5
Daniel Olson
Focus Financial Group, LLC
133 Holiday Ct., Ste. 204
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 591-3937
ffgroupllc.com
John Stover
Heartland
4257 Warren Rd.
Franklin, TN 37067
(917) 915-7399
heartlandpaymentsystems.com
Claudio Romeo
Heartland Partners, LLC
8251 Dalewood Ct.
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 456-2099
heartland-partners.com
Brian Schiedemeyer
Herban Market
3078 Maddux Way, Ste. 300
Franklin, TN 37069
(615) 927-3241
herban-market.com
Ashlea Hogancamp
did you know?
WILLIAMSON INC. WILL HOST
YOUR RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.
Planning to open, expand, renovate or break ground
on a business in 2016? Let Williamson, Inc. host
your ribbon cutting ceremony!
Contact Claudia Herrera at 615-771-1912
to arrange your celebratory event.
Historic Travellers Rest Plantation
636 Farrell Pkwy
Nashville, TN 37220
(615) 832-8197 x10
travellersrestplantation.org
June Swartz
It’s a Wrap, Inc.
2550 Meridian Blvd., Ste. 350
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 628-7017
itsabrandingwrap.com
David Jones
John Dance
5301 Virginia Way, Ste. 100
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 916-0064
John Dance
Julie Hannah Taleghani
1416 Willowbrooke Cir.
Franklin, TN 37069
(615) 364-2325
Julie Taleghani
Kroger - Westhaven
411 Whitman Rd.
Franklin, TN 37064
Butch Golson
Melaleuca
1716 Burke Hollow Rd.
Nolensville, TN 37135
(615) 373-0599
realsuccessrealpeople.com/joann
Jo Ann Goodman
Middle Tennessee State University
University College
1301 E. Main St., Box 54
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 494-7714
mtsu.edu/uc
Molly Culbreath
Nissan of Cool Springs
212 Comtide Ct.
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 790-2500
Heather Easling
OakPoint Real Estate
2 Music Circle South
Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 324-0794
oakpointre.com
Jeremiah Pyron
Ralph Colaberdino
135 Lancaster Dr.
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 927-6670
Ralph Colaberdino
Sam’s Club
3070 Mallory Ln.
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 778-1401
samsclub.com
Jason Dickey
Shelter Insurance
106 Mission Ct., Ste. 602 A
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 567-6510
shelterinsurance.com/jbragg
Jarrett Braggs
Thrivent Financial
1493 Bern Dr.
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(888) 959-5902 x102
thrivent.com
Dennis May
uBreakiFix
P.O. Box 1053
Nolensville, TN 37135
(615) 394-4318
ubreakifix.com
Scott Phillips
Waterford Tax Group
2550 Meridian Blvd, Ste. 350
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 507-1500
waterfordtaxgroup.com
Chad Williams, EA
We Make Company Videos
104 Carr Ave., Unit 2
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 472-8588
wemakecompanyvideos.com
Jon Boucher
18 CHAMBER BENEFITS for you and your business
l 24/7 online presence in our Business Directory
l Access to prominent leaders, elected officials and over
1,300 members
l Advertising, sponsorships, Hot Deals, and targeted
direct mail marketing
l Business referrals exclusively to members
l Exclusive discounts on products and services
l Professional development and educational programming
l Promotion through Livability magazine, The Williamson
Weekly, The Point and social media
l Volunteer opportunities to impact your community
l Business advocacy
l Business profile analytics
l Credibility and reputation
l Free job postings
l Insider information to industry news,
resources, data and trends
l Meeting room rentals
l Networking opportunities
l Ribbon cutting ceremonies
l Tax deductible membership dues
l Visibility and exposure
Join WILLIAMSON, INC. to take advantage of these valuable membership benefits!
Call 615-771-1912, stop by our office, or sign up online at williamsonchamber.com.
THE POINT is published monthly as a partnership between the Williamson Chamber and
The Tennessean. For editorial inquiries or advertising opportunities, contact Charlane Oliver
at charlane@williamsonchamber.com.
5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150 | Franklin, TN 37067 | 615.771.1912 | www.williamsonchamber.com
THE POINT l December 2015
2016 Chamber membership features
October. Members and guests will come
together in an informal setting during
the networking mixer scheduled for
April. Our four signature events will
replace membership meetings in March,
June, September and November. All
membership meetings are on the third
Tuesday of each month, except for the
Wednesday, Jan. 20 meeting.
Female professionals will be excited
to attend a Women in Business breakout
luncheon in July, where members will
Page 3
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
enjoy a boxed lunch and small breakout
sessions based on areas of interest. All
Women in Business events are held on
the fourth Tuesday of each month, with
no meeting scheduled in November.
We’ll still provide more of the same
quality programming our members have
come to expect and enjoy. First Friday,
Young Professionals, Nolensville Area
Business Council and Public Affairs
Roundtable will offer great speakers at
their regularly scheduled dates and times.
For anyone who wants to get a jumpstart on nailing down these dates on
their calendar, visit williamsonchamber.
com to pre-pay for your events for the
entire year.
MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS
Williamson, Inc. is pleased to
announce two new Affinity Partners
joining our member discount program:
UPS of Cool Springs & Brentwood and
Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network
(VHAN). These companies will offer
exclusive savings to Chamber members
in addition to our current Affinity
Partners, Office Depot and BancCard.
UPS Store of Cool Springs &
Brentwood will be providing an in-store
Savings Pass discount at both locations.
Members will receive 18 to 28 percent
off all services. To learn more, visit
www.chambersavingspass.com.
VHAN will be offering member companies an opportunity to provide their
employees with a health and wellness
program. Through an online portal,
employees of the participating company
can earn points for engaging in certain
healthy initiatives, such as exercising
and smoking cessation, and then apply
those points toward the purchase of discounted health-related products. Learn
more about this exciting offer at the
Jan. 20 membership luncheon, 11 a.m.
at the Franklin Marriott.
We are replacing our twice-monthly
Information Sessions with a monthly
Open House mixer.
Members who want a snazzy look to
their member profile in the online business directory can now customize it
with uploaded videos, graphics, photo
galleries and social media links.
COMMUNICATIONS
No one wants to be inundated with
emails. So why receive emails about
First Friday when you only want to
attend Women in Business events? We’ll
be rolling out an opt-in email subscription feature that will allow you to select
the Chamber news and events that matter most to you. We’ll also engage our
online audience more through social
media so look for some Twitter chats to
take place as well as our events livestreamed on Periscope.
Look for other exciting developments
as the year unfolds, and join in where it
benefits your business the most.
Page 4
THE POINT l December 2015
State Commissioner of Economic
and Community Development
Randy Boyd told the audience his
plans for economic development
in Tennessee, which is largely
related to education, workforce
development and job creation.
“We look to Williamson County as
the gold standard in education,”
said Commissioner Boyd about
the state’s initiatives to improve
achievement scores and
post-secondary education.
– PHOTOS BY JENNIFER
CROUCH PHOTOGRAPHY
From left, State Rep. Charles Sargent, City of Brentwood Vice Mayor Jill Burgin, and Nelson Andrews (right) of
Andrews Cadillac posed with the keynote speaker, TNECD Commissioner Randy Boyd.
“We are very
fortunate
to have
Williamson
medical
center in our
community.”
–Ryan Palmer
We would love
to hear your Story.
Lots to be celebrated
at Chamber’s year-end soiree
There was much to be celebrated at
the 2015 Annual Celebration presented
by Willliamson Medical Center on Nov.
19. Start with the fact that Williamson,
Inc. opened the doors at The Factory’s
Jamison Hall to its largest crowd in history. The record setting attendance
reflected the plethora of business leaders, elected officials, educators, volunteers, board members and staff that
showed up to support. Among the VIPs
in attendance were Williamson County
Mayor Rogers Anderson, state Rep.
Charles Sargent, state Sen. Jack
Johnson and Franklin Mayor Ken Moore.
Those who also had a reason to celebrate were the winners of the more than
40 silent auction items up for grabs,
including a destination getaway to
Destin, Florida, two round-trip tickets
from Southwest Airlines and tickets to
see Madonna live in concert at
Bridgestone Arena.
Williamson, Inc. President and CEO
Matt Largen kicked off the program
with the State of the Chamber address,
where he presented outgoing board
chairman Chris Czarka from Nissan with
a gift of gratitude for his leadership and
service. He also recognized other retiring board members and the 264 hardworking volunteers that served on various Chamber committees this year.
Cindi Parmenter, the Chamber’s chief
operating officer, received a moving tribute for her seven years of service that is
coming to a close at the end of 2015.
“My heart is full tonight,” said
Parmenter, who was moved to tears by
a video tribute by her Chamber colleagues and thanked everyone she’s
worked with over the years.
Largen announced exciting news for
what’s ahead in 2016. The Chamber is
launching in February a partnership with
the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to
incubate startups in Williamson County.
Mobility Week is being launched Sept
19-23 to promote ridesharing, school
bus ridership, vanpooling, telecommuting and flex scheduling in an effort to
solve the county’s traffic problems.
Outlook Williamson and the Business
Expo will also return in the spring and
summer, respectively.
The evening finished strong with a keynote address by Tennessee Department of
Economic & Community Development
Commissioner Randy Boyd, who shared
his plans for moving the state to top rankings in household income, job creation,
tourism, corporate expansion and postsecondary education attainment.
“This is the best time in the state’s
history,” Boyd said. Post-secondary attainment and income is the highest in the
state’s history. FAFSA filings — an indication of college pursuance — increased by
18 percent this year, the highest of any
other state. Tennessee is on track to set a
record for 24,220 new jobs, citing that
75 percent of job announcements in the
state come from existing companies.
Chief Operating Officer Cindi Parmenter couldn’t hold
back the tears when Williamson, Inc. paid tribute to
her seven years of service with the Chamber.
In Matt Largen’s state of the chamber address, he
thanked Nissan North America’s Director of Tax and
Trade Chris Czarka, left, for his leadership as the
outgoing board chairman.
“Our mission is to be number one in
the southeast for high quality jobs,”
said Boyd. He closed out his speech
with this advice: “Dream big.”
The Annual Celebration was presented by Williamson Medical Center and
sponsored by AT&T, LBMC, Metropolitan
Nashville Airport Authority, Vanderbilt
Health and WGU Tennessee. The signature drink served during the cocktail hour
was provided by H. Clark Distillery. Uber
Nashville was the evening’s ridesharing
sponsor. Media sponsors included Home
Page Media Group, Williamson Herald
and YOUR Williamson. The entire classy
event was produced by Big Events, Inc.
View photos from the event on our
Facebook page or follow #CelebrateWilCo
on Twitter for highlights.
THE POINT l December 2015
Williamson, Inc.’s Meetings & Events Coordinator Verlinda Darden, middle,
welcomed Mike Alexander and Brian Reeves to the Annual Celebration.
Michael Cooper of Murals & More, Rev. Ashley Abarca-Mitchell of Franklin
United Methodist Church and her husband David Abarca attended.
Page 5
Catching up during the cocktail hour were Paula Harris, Lynn Maddox,
and newly re-elected Franklin Alderman Pearl Bransford.
2015 ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Ryan and Olivia Yearwood represented WeMakeCompanyVideos.com, one
of the 42 businesses that donated items to the silent auction.
Collectively, the items were valued at over $29,000.
Thanks to H. Clark Distillery, guests enjoyed a gin-infused signature
cocktail called The Harvest.
Kicking the evening
off with good
conversation were
Franklin Tomorrow’s
Executive Director,
Mindy Tate, along
with Mark Cook and
Kelly Gilfillan of Home
Page Media Group
and board member
Gary Buchanan.
FirstBank, this year’s First Friday presenting sponsor, was well-represented by Emily Seivers, Lisa
Futrell, Keely Hall and Jordon Waldron.
Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, left, along with Russell and
Diane Little came out to celebrate the county’s business community.
Nick Biniker and Amanda Murray, part of
Williamson, Inc.’s Economic Development team,
were all smiles before the program got underway.
Jeff Falvo and Shelley Moeller were among the
264 dedicated volunteers recognized for their
service throughout the year. Falvo served on the
Development Committee, and Moeller was the
Engagement Committee chair.
Annual Celebration
guests were serenaded
by the mellow jazz tunes
of the Sam Levine Band.
Sam Levine, right, is an
award-winning
saxophonist who has
recorded tracks for
notable country music
and jazz artists.
– PHOTOS BY JENNIFER
CROUCH PHOTOGRAPHY
Page 6
THE POINT l December 2015
On the heels of his widely publicized announcement to remain the Williamson County
Schools Superintendent for an additional four years, Dr. Mike Looney delivers his state of
the schools address to more than 300 Chamber members Aug.18 at the Franklin Marriott.
Governor Bill Haslam talks transit funding
and solutions with government officials
and business leaders from Williamson,
Maury, Dickson and Cheatham counties
during his statewide transportation tour
Aug. 13.
Williamson, Inc.’s Economic Partnership investors and national site consultants listen
to the sounds of singer-songwriters Lee Miller, Anthony Smith and Jeffrey Steele in the
event barn at Homestead Manor. This was one of several red carpet tour events during
Pilgrimage Music Festival weekend, Sept. 25-27. – PHOTO BY LILLIAN B PHOTOGRAPHY
Chamber CEO sees bright future ahead for Williamson County
“The Point” sat down with
the Chamber’s leader, Matt
Largen, to recap the biggest
milestones of the year and get
his thoughts on the economic
landscape in the county.
l What were the best
Chamber moments, meetings
and events from 2015?
Williamson, Inc. hosted 98
meetings and events, featuring
dynamic speakers, sold-out
crowds and useful content. We
served more than 1,300 businesses and welcomed an additional 307 new members. We
opened our doors to Governor
Bill Haslam for his statewide
tour to discuss local transportation needs and even hosted a
presidential candidate, Ohio
Governor John Kasich, to
speak with business leaders.
We partnered with Mayor
Rogers Anderson for the
Williamson Moves summit to
tackle pressing issues such as
traffic congestion; the City of
Franklin, for the aldermanic
candidates’ election forum;
and Williamson County Schools
(WCS), to expose students to
careers through summer
internships, the 14th Annual
Career Exploration Day and our
first-ever Manufacturing Day.
We capitalized on the excitement of the Pilgrimage Music
Festival to host a red carpet
tour in an effort to show
national site consultants why
Williamson County is the ideal
location for companies looking
to relocate their operations.
A pivotal moment this year
occurred in July when Dr.
Mike Looney announced he
would renew his contract to
remain the superintendent for
Williamson County Schools
for four more years. In his
announcement, he stated that
the support of Williamson,
Inc. positively influenced his
decision. For the Chamber’s
economic development team,
it was a defining moment
because Dr. Looney’s leadership is the driving force
behind our strong partnership
with WCS. Our economic
future is tied to the strength
of our top-performing school
systems. Our public schools
are this county’s strategic
economic asset that drives
company expansion and
relocation decisions.
l What was the most significant activity/project of the
Chamber and of Economic
Development this last year?
Our trip to Austin, Texas
called Williamson Forward:
Expedition Austin, which took
place Sept. 28-30, was the
single most significant activity.
After planning the trip for more
than a year, we found incredible similarities to the Austin
region — specifically that they
were dealing with the same
transit, workforce, and education concerns that come with
rapid growth. We took a delegation of 84 elected officials,
business leaders and educators
to take an in-depth look at how
a region similar to ours
responded to population
growth, solved traffic and
transportation issues, built topnotch school systems and continues to recruit large indus-
tries and companies. We
learned that we will need to
embrace technology and innovative approaches to
solving traffic congestion. For example, we
saw Google’s self-driving cars being tested
on the roads in Austin.
These types of cutting
edge technologies will
be the key to keeping
up with growth trends
in our county. It was an
incredible learning
experience that is
already leading to more
conversations and tangible
action steps for next year.
l Speaking of next year,
what economic development
initiatives can we look forward
to? What industries are you
looking to recruit? Any special
projects or events that you’re
planning?
Through the six key initiatives of promoting higher education and workforce development, improving regional
cooperation, existing business
support, targeted business
recruitment, and fostering a
culture of entrepreneurship,
the economic development
department’s main goal is to
boost employment by 1,600
direct, high-wage jobs over the
next five years. Our target sectors for business recruitment
are headquarters, information
technology, health care, and
research and development.
That really has not changed
over the past several years.
This economy is driven by
regional, national, and interna-
tional headquarter operations,
and we are fortunate that we
have three times the number of
Interstate 65 corridor towards
Spring Hill. Berry Farms, a
mixed-use development in
South Franklin, is a
great example of this.
The Berry Farms development will feature a
hotel, various retail and
restaurants, entertainment, apartments and
condominiums in addition to the multitude of
office space. Three
companies, including
MATT LARGEN Williamson, Inc.
Lee Co. and The
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lampo Group (Dave
Ramsey’s parent comjobs in that category than the
pany), have recently
US average. Our first priority is announced headquarter moves
to continue our outreach to
to this development with more
existing employers to do everyon the way.
thing we can to help them
l What are the biggest
grow in Williamson County. We
challenges facing our
know that in the last two years, community as we build more
95 percent of all announced
homes, retail and office
jobs came from companies
space and more people want
that already had a presence in
to move here?
the Nashville region. We will
Transportation, affordable
also build our pipeline of new
housing and filling the labor
companies through inbound
skills gap are the biggest chaland outbound trips to visit and
lenges effecting growth in our
host site location consultants.
community. Transportation has
Finally, we will have a formal
been a focus of many discusagreement in place soon for
sions, as well as a continued
some programming out of the
focus on matching worker
Nashville Entrepreneur Center
skills with employer demand.
in Williamson County in our
The demand for housing conoffice.
tinues to increase real estate
l What area of the county
prices in an already affluent
do you believe will experience market. There is a large gap in
the next pocket of growth?
“workforce” or “young profesEconomic growth will consional” housing. Many people
tinue in the Cool Springs area
who work in the community
with planned development
cannot afford to live here,
coming on-line in 2016.
which further creates traffic
Additionally, development is
congestion as our workforce
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
starting to take hold down the
Q&A
THE POINT l December 2015
events&meetings
The CHAMBER OFFICE is located in Cool Springs
at 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150, Franklin.
JAN 12 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION
3:30 p.m., Chamber Office
JAN 20 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
11:30 a.m., Franklin Marriott
700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin
Presented by Williamson Medical Center
JAN 26 WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON
11:30 a.m.
Brentwood United Methodist Church
309 Franklin Rd., Brentwood
The Chamber office will be closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
and will re-open on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
DEC 11, 1 p.m. • APCOM Groundbreaking
DEC 15, 11 a.m. • Miles Express Grand Opening
Save the date • March 15
OUTLOOK WILLIAMSON
7-11 a.m. • The Factory
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE
FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION.
Page 7
Boost your business with a 2016 sponsorship
Give your business — and your
prominence to your brand, it also
membership dollars are used in the
new year — a big boost with a
helps ensure that Williamson County most efficient way possible that
Williamson, Inc. sponsorship! The
continues to be one of the best
will help you grow your business.”
2016 sponsorship guide is
The guide details various
now available at williamsponsorship opportunities
sonchamber.com. The
ranging from $200 to
guide previews ways to get
$15,000 and outlines the
the best exposure in front
benefits included at every
of more than 1,300 memlevel of investment.
ber businesses and their
Companies can choose
employees.
between our quality monthly
Effective marketing is a
programs, well-attended sigchallenge for businesses of
nature events, or informaall sizes. From online to intive leadership programs
person, making productive
with the Williamson
contacts with prospective
Chamber Foundation. It also
customers can feel like a
entails information on how
moving target. With its
to take advantage of our
diverse and engaged memmember services, such as
bership, Williamson, Inc.
ribbon cuttings and conferoffers multiple opportunience room rentals.
ties to raise the visibility of
Chamber membership is
your brand and your
required to be a meeting or
Williamson Medical Center served as the presenting sponsor of the
products and services.
event sponsor. If you’re not
membership meetings from January until June 2015. Pictured above, yet a member and would
Whether your target
Katie-Beth Sitz, Adrienne Bero and Jenna Eckert promote the opening
market is C-Suite corporate of their children’s hospital at the July luncheon.
like to snag a coveted sponexecutives attending our
sorship spot, contact a
monthly Membership Meetings, up- places in the country to work and
membership representative to get
and-coming entrepreneurs at First
live. It’s an investment to be proud
started at membership@williamsonFriday, female professionals at
of with a proven high-value return.
chamber.com or call 615-771-1912.
Women in Business or talented
“We are focused on providing
To learn more about Chamber
millennials who comprise our
value for those who invest in us,”
sponsorship or to request a hard
Young Professionals, the Chamber
Williamson, Inc. President and CEO copy of the sponsorship guide,
has sponsorship opportunities that
says in his welcome message in
contact Meetings & Events
will get you in the right room.
the sponsorship guide. “We have a
Director Abby Bass at
Not only does a sponsorship bring solemn responsibility to make sure
abby@williamsonchamber.com.
Chamber leadership
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Matt Largen Q&A
Management
• Richard Herrington, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Financial
Network/Franklin Synergy Bank
• Tena Mayberry, President & CEO,
Century II and Fortune Industries, Inc.
• Celeste Patterson, Chief Operating
Officer/Chief Financial Officer, H. G. Hill
Realty Company, LLC
• Richard Perko, President, Lee
Company
• Paige Thompson, Vice President of
Relocation & Corporate Services, Zeitlin &
Company Realtors
With the start of the fiscal year in
January, the board will also have a new slate
of officers. They are: Paula Harris, Barge
Waggoner Sumner Cannon (President);
Shelley Moeller, Harpeth True Value Home
Center (Secretary); Jeff Drummonds, LBMC
(Treasurer); and Chris Czarka, Nissan North
America (Immediate Past Chair). The Vice
Chair will be appointed by January.
Additional board members include:
Corinne Bergeron, Jackson National Life
Insurance; Mark Cleveland, Hobby Express;
Amy Cross-Nance, Attorney; Debbie Henry,
The TMA Group; Cathy Holland,
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority;
Bart Jones, Investment Planners; Derby
Jones, Williamson Herald; Doug Korn, Mars
Petcare; Andy Marshall, A. Marshall Family
Foods, Inc.; Thomas McDaniel, Boyle
Investment; Dennis Norvet, Shanksa USA;
Tracey Power, Vaco; Drew Rodgers, First
Tennessee Bank; Dawn Rudolph, Saint
Thomas Health; Dr. Henry Russell,
Vanderbilt Health; Dr. Janet Smith,
Columbia State Community College; Steve
Smith, Williamson Medical Center; and Ellie
Westman Chin, Williamson County
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The 36-member governing body of the
Chamber includes 32 members, three exofficio members and the President and
CEO, Matt Largen. Board members serve
three-year terms, with ten board members
added every year on a rolling basis.
commutes into the county from all
directions. We are actively working
on solutions for both affordable
housing options as well as a
regional transportation solution.
The amount of traffic on our roads
will not likely decrease, but we are
looking at solutions such as mass
transit, ridesharing, walkability,
telecommuting and flexible work
hours, to keep the congestion from
growing to uncontrollable levels.
l Do you feel that the
business community, and the
community at-large, is receptive
to growth trends that the county
is moving toward? Are they open
to newcomers and millennials
relocating here?
I believe the business community is on board with the continued growth of Williamson County,
because that growth translates
into increased prosperity for our
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6)
community and for our companies, large and small. We know
that 49 percent of Williamson
County residents are not from
Tennessee, so I believe that our
community is receptive to people
who move here for opportunity.
People vote with their feet and
move to communities that are
thriving. Success follows success,
and we have been very fortunate
in Williamson County over the last
several decades.
l If you could choose one
goal/initiative you would like to
see accomplished over the next
12 months that moves the county
forward, what would it be?
To move closer to a short and
long-term solution to ease traffic
congestion in Williamson County
in a way that connects to the
Nashville region.
Page 8
THE POINT l December 2015
The Twitter Review
BEST TWEETS OF 2015
l @davidplazas MAR 31
How is Williamson County changing?
http://tnne.ws/1CsAp5A via @tennessean
@JillCowan #Outlook2015 #business
#economics #tennessee
l @JohnKasich JUL 9
It was great visiting w/ @MattLargen,
@Williamson_inc & @AllWaltrip today! Thx
for hosting pic.twitter.com/8waLXn63dc
l @Williamson_inc JUL 14
Williamson, Inc. issues statement in
support of WCS Superintendent Dr. Mike
Looney: http://bit.ly/1fFFIrX @WCSedu
@wcsDirofSchools
l @WCSedu AUG 18
Thank you to all of the administrators
who joined us at today’s @williamson_inc
meeting! pic.twitter.com/1JD2X15jf8
l @CollinReports AUG 28
Williamson County magnet for new
businesses http://tnne.ws/1F220Ku via
@tennessean @CollinReports cc:
@williamson_inc
l @williamson_inc OCT 2
Fairview HS kids at #APCOM. 1 of 3
tour stops today #MFGDay15 @wcsCOda
@wcsFVHS pic.twitter.com/PMhgrcFxQb
l @martiveot OCT 2
Williamson Forward: Expedition Austin
https://storify.com/williamson_inc/
williamson-forward-expedition-austin …
via @williamson_inc @wcar had a great
time with these progressive leaders!!
l @AbbyFBass OCT 16
Incredibly successful week!! S/O to
the @williamson_inc team for
#YP CEO Roundtable, #NABC, Franklin
Election Forum & @YPNashville Connect!
l @NSHBIZSichko OCT 21
@williamson_inc’s pitch to site selectors
(who make splashy eco devo deals)
included @SherylCrow & hot air balloons
http://bizj.us/1jsjog
l @WCSedc OCT 26
@williamson_inc donates technology
funds to three Nolensville schools! Read:
http://www.wcs.edu/infocus/2015/10/22/
new-nolensville-area-schools-receivetechnology-donations/ …
l @BurginJill NOV 19
Enjoyed meeting @TnCommishECD Randy
Boyd at @williamson_inc annual meeting.
Thanks for helping celebrate WillCo
success. #celebratewilco
Recently opened Williamson businesses thriving
Ask any entrepreneur about
County home.
company outings.
opening a business and they’ll tell
Since hosting your ribbon cutAnything new or exciting happen
you that it’s hard work. The countting with Williamson, Inc., what
in the last three to six months?
less hours it takes to simply get to
response have you received from
FOSTER: I have only been open
opening day can be a laborious
the community?
for eight months, so everything has
process, but when the day finally
FOSTER: I was fortunate to
been new and exciting!
happens, it’s a rewarding one.
meet many great people at my ribVANDERKOLK: Every day is excitWilliamson County has seen expobon cutting and received many well ing when you are climbing at SOAR
nential growth, and residents and
wishes afterwards. I have gained
Adventure Tower but we have defibusinesses are flocking here to get more exposure in the community
nitely had some special moments.
a piece of the prosperity.
We didn’t expect the outbursts of
Williamson County Mayor
cheering, clapping, and support
Rogers Anderson reported in his
as people watched others climb
state of the county address in
and overcome the physical and
July that the county averaged
mental challenges. We also just
182 new business start-ups per
filmed a segment for CMT’s
month. In October, 142 new
Southbound that will air somebusiness licenses were filed and
time in December on the Country
1,604 year-to-date, according to
Music Television network.
the latest Economic Dashboard
Do you feel that locating to
(see page 2). Among those new
Williamson County was the right
businesses that opened this year
move for your business?
were several restaurants, bouFOSTER: I am on the
tiques, auto repair centers,
Davidson/Williamson County
Kevin and Colleen Vanderkolk have already climbed to new
insurance agencies, health and
border and I strongly believe
heights since opening Soar Adventure Tower in August.
wellness facilities, beauty salons
my location was the right move
and barbershops, bakeries and
for my business. The location
banks, to name a few. Many of
provides easy access to the resthese businesses — 73 to be
idents of both counties. Many
exact — turned to Williamson,
residents of Williamson County
Inc. to help make their presence
are very health conscious, and
known with a ribbon cutting certhis impacts my practice
emony. Red, blue, yellow or
because they are looking for
gold — whatever ribbon color
preventative and wellness care
was snipped, Williamson, Inc.
that enables them to have
was there to capture their most
healthier lifestyles.
important milestone.
VANDERKOLK: We could not
For two of our Chamber
have picked a better location
members, opening a business
than Williamson County for our
Dr. Ila Foster is the owner of Graceful Hands Chiropractic first Adventure Tower. There are
was one of the best decisions
& Wellness Center in Brentwood, where she aims to have
they ever made. Primarily
so many families and good peohealthy patients and a healthy business.
because of the success, growth
ple here that have been supand support they’ve experienced
and formed several business relaportive and make this feel like a
since recently opening their busitionships with chamber members.
small community.
nesses in Williamson County this
VANDERKOLK: The response
What’s next for your company?
past year. Dr. Ila Foster, a licensed
from the community has been
FOSTER: As Graceful Hands
chiropractor, opened Graceful Hands incredible. They have embraced
Chiropractic approaches its first
Chiropractic & Wellness Center in
our concept of a healthy and physi- anniversary, we will incorporate more
May and provides chiropractic, thercal activity that is engaging for all
tools which will allow us to provide
apeutic rehabilitation and massage
ages. Several chamber members
better care to our patients. We will
services to get patients functioning
have booked company outings and
offer healthy lifestyle classes,
at optimal health. Kevin and Colleen really enjoyed the experience.
expand our nutritional products, and
Vanderkolk are the owners of Soar
How has business been since
incorporate more essential oils.
Adventure Tower, a 50-foot-tall,
opening?
VANDERKOLK: The SOAR
10,000-square-foot aerial adventure
FOSTER: I am thankful that my
Adventure Tower experience will
park that opened in August. The
business has grown each month. I
keep getting better and better as
Vanderkolks are the first to bring the am continuing to work and revise
we are looking for ways to expand
popular European vertical ropes
my plan for optimal growth.
by adding additional elements and
course to North America and chose
VANDERKOLK: We have had a
attractions to our Adventure Park.
Franklin to set up shop.
great start to our first few months
Learn more about Graceful Hands
“The Point” caught up with
of operation. We have enjoyed getChiropractic & Wellness Center at
Foster and Kevin Vanderkolk to get
ting to know several of our repeat
gracefulhandschiro.com, and disan update on how business has
customers and local businesses
cover what Soar Adventure Tower
been since calling Williamson
that have joined us for some fun
has to offer at soaradventure.com.