Greater Chattanooga Area

Chattanooga, TN ยท Founded 1925

Championing member businesses and promoting regional economic development

Primary audience
Business Members
Work area
Regional Advocacy
Topic
Economic Development
Contact
Christine Gillenwater
Website Contact

About Organization

Champions member businesses and promotes regional economic growth through the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation. Based in Chattanooga, TN, the organization was founded in 1887 as one of the first 40 chambers in the United States. Operating with $1.6 million in annual revenue and 53 employees plus 400 volunteers.

What They Focus On

Workforce Development

Supports talent pipeline development through education partnerships and workforce readiness programming initiatives

Economic Growth

Promotes regional economic development through strategic partnerships and support for business expansion initiatives

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, professional development resources, and support services for member organizations

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2022)

$1.6M

+3% vs 2021

Expenses (2022)

$1.8M

+3.2% vs 2021

Assets (2022)

$1.0M

+52.6% vs 2021

Employees (2022)

53

-5.4% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2022 $1,629,415 $1,780,552 $1,035,474 53
2021 $1,582,097 $1,725,571 $678,683 56
2020 $1,935,611 $1,671,731 $879,679 47
2019 $1,628,727 $1,660,215 $665,248 53
2018 $1,944,175 $2,005,511 $488,185 61
2017 $1,919,869 $2,015,569 $550,796 46

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Identifies priority issues through stakeholder consultation and analysis of business community needs

  • 02

    Strategic Planning

    Develops targeted initiatives based on member input and regional economic development priorities

  • 03

    Program Implementation

    Executes programs through partnerships with member organizations and community stakeholders

  • 04

    Impact Assessment

    Evaluates outcomes through member feedback and tracks progress toward organizational objectives

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Greater Chattanooga Area

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, resources, and support to member organizations across the region

Community Engagement

Facilitates collaboration between business and community stakeholders on shared priorities

Business Advocacy

Represents business interests in policy development and legislative initiatives at state and local levels

Leadership Programs

Develops business leadership capacity through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

Economic Development

Promotes regional economic growth through strategic partnerships and development initiatives

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Greater Chattanooga Area.

CG

Christine Gillenwater

President/CEO
16 hrs/week
Compensation: $61,521
CM

Cheryl Millsaps

VP Finance And Adminstrati
16 hrs/week
Compensation: $43,298

Milestones

1925

Organization Founded

1925

Established to serve business community development and economic growth initiatives

1975

Regional Expansion

1975

Extended programming and membership services to serve broader regional business community

2023

Program Enhancement

2023

Launched enhanced member services and expanded advocacy initiatives for business community

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Maintains active programming serving member organizations and regional economic development priorities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AL
Andy Lang Director 1.00 hrs/week
BP
Blake Pierce Director 1.00 hrs/week
BB
Bo Bentley Director 1.00 hrs/week
BC
Brad Cobb Director 1.00 hrs/week
BG
Briana Garza Director 1.00 hrs/week
BT
Bruce Trantham Director 1.00 hrs/week
BZ
Bruce Zeiser Director 1.00 hrs/week
CE
Carolina Eiris Molloy Director 1.00 hrs/week
CC
Chanda Chambers Director 1.00 hrs/week
CN
Christina Nuar Director 1.00 hrs/week
CS
Cindi Sanden Director 1.00 hrs/week
CL
Cindy Lee Director 1.00 hrs/week
CW
Cindy Wright-Freeman Director 1.00 hrs/week
DQ
Dalya Qualls-White Director 1.00 hrs/week
DP
Dan Pratt Director 1.00 hrs/week
DD
Danny Deas Director 1.00 hrs/week
DD
David Devaney Director 1.00 hrs/week
DR
Denis Reilly Director 1.00 hrs/week
DR
Denise Rice Director 1.00 hrs/week
DB
Dr Bryan Johnson Director 1.00 hrs/week
EA
Elizabeth Ahmed Director 1.00 hrs/week
EF
Evann Freeman Director 1.00 hrs/week
GH
Gary Hathaway Director 1.00 hrs/week
GE
Gena Ellis Director 1.00 hrs/week
GE
Grant Evitts Director 1.00 hrs/week
GG
Gregg Gentry Director 1.00 hrs/week
GS
Guru Shah Director 1.00 hrs/week
IL
Ian Leavy Director 1.00 hrs/week
JH
James Haley Director 1.00 hrs/week
JW
James Wingard Director 1.00 hrs/week
JK
Jamie Kyle Director 1.00 hrs/week
JR
Janelle Reilly Director 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Jay Dale Director 1.00 hrs/week
JH
Jennifer Harper Director 1.00 hrs/week
JH
Johanna Heywood Director 1.00 hrs/week
KC
Karlene Claridy Director 1.00 hrs/week
KI
Kate Izell Director 1.00 hrs/week
LB
Lisa Brown Director 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Marissa Bell Director 1.00 hrs/week
MP
Matt Phillips Director 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Melinda Bone Director 1.00 hrs/week
MC
Mickey Cloud Director 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Miguel Morales Director 1.00 hrs/week
PL
Paul Leath Director 1.00 hrs/week
PW
Paul Weidlich Director 1.00 hrs/week
RS
Rebecca Styles Director 1.00 hrs/week
RD
Rodney Dillard Director 1.00 hrs/week
RP
Roger Pickett Director 1.00 hrs/week
RP
Roger Posacki Director 1.00 hrs/week
RC
Royce Cornelison Director 1.00 hrs/week
RG
Rusty Gray Director 1.00 hrs/week
SL
Sharon Law Director 1.00 hrs/week
SM
Shay McCowan Director 1.00 hrs/week
SA
Steven Anderson Director 1.00 hrs/week
TB
Todd Baker Director 1.00 hrs/week
TW
Todd Womack Director 1.00 hrs/week
VA
Virginia Anne Sharber Director 1.00 hrs/week
WH
Wade Hinton Director 1.00 hrs/week
WL
William Leonard Director 1.00 hrs/week
Charles WoodPresident & CEO
Charles WoodPresident & CEO President & CEO
Rebecca AshfordChair Elect
Rebecca AshfordChair Elect Chair Elect

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2022)

$177K

Highest Paid

$112K

Christine Gillenwater

Compensated Officers

2

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Christine Gillenwater President/CEO $61,521 $50,410 $111,931 16
Cheryl Millsaps VP Finance And Adminstrati $43,298 $22,010 $65,308 16

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
Chattanooga Chamber Foundation
Chattanooga, TN
Leadership Education And Support Of Economic Development
501(c) 501(C)(3)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with Greater Chattanooga Area

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(423) 756-2121 (423) 763-4335

Social

Visit Website
811 Broad Street 100 Chattanooga, TN 37402