PUTNAM COUNTY — The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Membership Meeting took place at Leslie Town Centre on Tuesday, February 23. The night began with a reception and the official meeting commenced at 6pm.  This year’s annual meeting theme was “The Power of Momentum”. 

 

Premier sponsors for the annual meeting were Chick-fil-a, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, First Tennessee Bank and Twin Lakes. The reception sponsor was Stonecom Radio.

 

Tony Davis, Senior Vice President of Distribution and Logistics for Academy Sports + Outdoors, was the keynote speaker for the evening.  Academy’s new presence was one major reason for celebration in the realm of economic impact in 2015.  Tony Davis shared about Academy’s decision to choose Cookeville and Putnam County for their distribution center location.  He highlighted the high level of character and kindness this community had shown during Academy’s initial visits to our area, and he praised community and civic leaders for their commitment and professionalism throughout the selection process.  The company was looking to find a community they could invest in for the long haul, and Cookeville-Putnam County proved to be a perfect fit.  As Tony Davis put it, “Academy wasn’t looking to go on a date, they were getting hitched.” Many of Academy’s new team members were in attendance at the meeting, and Davis spoke highly of the kind reception from the community that his team members have received.  

 

The Annual Meeting attendees also witnessed the gavel passing from immediate past Chairman Phillip Baker, Agency Manager for Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee to incoming Chamber Board Chairman Don Viar of Epic Technologies.  Don Viar will serve a one-year term as board chairman. He spoke of his thankfulness to Phillip Baker and the selfless style of leadership Phillip exhibited he guided the Chamber through a year of great growth and momentum generation.  

 

The Chamber looks very forward to a great year in 2016 as they seek to capitalize on the momentum generated from a strong 2015 year. Their membership is at an all-time high and the Economic Development, Workforce Development & Education and Convention & Visitor’s Bureau divisions are functioning at a high level that is sure to bear much fruit.