February 22, 2019
By: Suzanne Williams
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently elected their 2019 Chamber Executive Board Members, welcomed 6 new Chamber Board Members – five to replace the retiring board members and one to serve a 2-year term to replace a board member who moved – and said goodbye to retiring directors.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says, “As we begin a new year, it is very exciting to announce our new Chamber Executive Board and new board members, but also bittersweet as we say good-bye to our retiring members. The 2018 Executive Committee and Retiring Board Members did an excellent job and served the Chamber well.”
The 2018 Officers were Rita Bell, President; Beth Adcock, Vice-President; Jane Brown, Secretary; Sherry Harris, Treasurer; and Isaac Gray, Past President. Retiring Board Members include Isaac Gray, Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Steve Johnson, DTC Communications; Connie Tjarks, DeKalb Farmers Market, and Sherry Harris, D&S Special-tees.
The newly elected 2019 Chamber Executive Officers are as follows: Beth Adcock, Smithville Police Dept., is the new Chamber President. Lisa Cripps, DeKalb Prevention Coalition, was elected Vice-President. Jane Brown, Middle TN Natural Gas will serve as Chamber Board Secretary. Kathy Hendrixson, Director of the DeKalb County Library Systems, will be the Treasurer. Rita Bell, Haven of Hope, will serve as Past President.
New Board Members include Billie Davis, JBeez Watercraft/Canoe the Caney, Jen Sherwood, Federal Mogul; Norene Puckett, DeKalb Recovery Court; Leigh Fuson, DeKalb Extension/4-H; Josh Issac, DeKalb County Complex; and Kathy Hendrixson, DeKalb Library Systems.
Other Chamber Board Members include Dana Scott, Tenneco; Mark Taylor, Edgar Evins State Park; Lora Webb, The Webb House; Debra Ruzinsky, Appalachian Center for Craft; Tom Sturdivant, Pates Ford Marina/Fish Lipz Grill & Sligo Marina/Restaurant; and Andy Wachtel. Honorary Board Members are DeKalb County Mayor Tim Stribling, Smithville Mayor Josh Miller, Alexandria Mayor Bennett Armstrong, Dowelltown Mayor Pam Redmon, and Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis.
Williams stated, “I am very grateful to the entire Chamber Board. They have been so supportive & enjoyable to work with, and we look forward to a lot of great opportunities in 2019, including some exciting new events!”