The Point, May 2014

MAY 2014
Vol. 16 | Issue 5
in this
ISSUE
PAGE 4
Ten days
of Americana
coming to
Williamson
PAGE 7
Get Chamber
benefits even
with limited time
IP GUIDE
2014 SPONSORSH
Be A GOLF CLASSIC SPONSOR!
Contact abby@williamsonchamber.com.
Local tech growth takes spotlight in May
Technology jobs – from
software developers to
information security architects – are at the top of the
predicted career growth
fields over the next decade
in Williamson County.
The Williamson Chamber
membership luncheon on
Tuesday, May 20, will
provide an inside look into
that burgeoning world when
three tech company leaders
take the stage. And audience members struggling
through the technology
maze also may take away
some insightful advice to
help them meet their
specific business needs.
The 11:30 a.m. luncheon
will be held at The Factory at
Franklin, 230 Franklin Road,
and feature a panel of company founders moderated by
Bryan Huddleston, president
and chief executive officer of
the Nashville Technology
Council. The panel will
include these guests:
• Jake Fagan will
represent Caddis Interactive,
headquartered in Franklin,
which is a strategy- and
technology-focused company
that specializes in brand
development, search engine
optimization, pay per click,
web design, app and web
development, content and
video production, social
media, email marketing, and
measurement and analytics.
• Stephen Franklin will
represent LeanKit, headquartered in Franklin, which
provides a flexible and
powerful visual platform for
project and program management that gives team
members visibility into pro-
gress and data for process
improvement. The company
has branched beyond the IT
world to collaborate with
customers in fields as
diverse as engineering,
manufacturing, marketing
and customer service.
• Rob Bellenfant will
represent TechnologyAdvice,
headquartered in
Brentwood, which connects
businesses of all sizes with
IT vendors that can best
meet their specific needs.
The service is free to
l ContinUeD on pAge 5
Golf spots going fast,
mixer ends the day
Anyone can play, but only Chamber members can
be sponsors. That combination creates a great
opportunity to both entertain non-member guests
and promote your business before several hundred of
Williamson County’s most involved community
leaders at the 2014 Golf Classic.
And if you don’t connect on the green, everyone’s
invited to the post-play mixer with food and drink
from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion at
Vanderbilt’s Legends Club, the Golf Classic host at
1500 Legends Club Lane off Franklin Road.
Nissan is both the presenting and hole-in-one
sponsor for the June 4 Golf Classic, one of four
signature events organized annually by the
Williamson Chamber. But other sponsorships in a
YOUR HEALTH.
OUR PASSION.
l ContinUeD on pAge 6
Businesses support
Economic Partnership
l storY on pAge 8
Page 2
THE POINT l May 2014
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.
Berry Farms Dental
4020 Hughes Crossing
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 435-3274
berryfarmsdental.com
Amber Johnson
Big Events, Corp.
1710 General George Patton Dr.
Ste. 103
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 371-1223
bigeventsinc.com
Mary Frances McCullar
Bradley/Bowersett, Inc.
5292 Old Harding Road
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 799-2242
bradleybowersett.com
Jill Bowersett
California Closets
420 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 125
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 367-1030
californiaclosets.com/brentwood
Corinne Cronine
kudos
Connect 2 Docs
515 Hodges Court
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 202-9910
connect2docs.com
Marty Herrick
Dabble Studio
91 Seaboard Lane, Ste. 108
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 678-8784
dabblestudio.com
Lynn Fritz
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
8113 Moore’s Lane, Ste. 1900
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 622-2818
dickeys.com
John Clark
Digital Benefit Advisors
109 West Park Dr., Ste. 200
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 829-5627
digitalbenefitadvisors.com
Kevin Clingan
Edward Jones - Sarah Reese
509 New Highway 96, Ste. 102A
Franklin, TN 37064
615-599-7960
www.edwardjones.com
Sarah Reese
John Perrett
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 406-3247
John Perrett
Kraft Enterprise Systems
10 Cadillac Dr., Ste. 380
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 665-2545
kraftenterprise.com
Autumn Harris
MainStay Suites
107 Brentwood Blvd.
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 371-8477
mainstaysuitesbrentwood.com
Marcus Williams
Manpower
1309 Bell Road, Ste. 210
Antioch, TN 37013
(615) 832-8501
manpower.com
Noreen Schoonover
Maui Wowi Hawaiian
Coffees and Smoothies
4020 Hughes Crossing, Ste. 100
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 585-1133
Eric Rilko
thank you to these volunteers
for their contributions this
month to the Williamson Chamber
membership committees.
l linA heArD, Big Frog Custom
T-Shirts of Nashville, and DAren
thompson, UPS Store of Cool
Springs, as Ambassadors for
attending the most Chamber
meetings and ribbon cuttings.
l DAn telforD, Exodus HR
Group, of the Development
Committee for bringing in
the most new members for
the month.
l miKe AleXAnDer, Signs First
Franklin, of the Engagement
Committee for mentoring the
most new members through the
orientation process.
l Don reiD, Legal Shield
Brentwood, of the Member
Relations Committee for
excelling in his efforts to
reach out to members.
Millennial Insurance Group, LLC
1612 Westgate Circle, Ste. 218
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 369-0661
millennialinsurance.com
Patrick Crider
Porta Via Italian Kitchen
3301 Aspen Grove Dr.
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 771-7747
eatatportavia.com
Mehrdad Alviri
Studio Nooshin
401A Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 771-6575
studionooshin.com
Julie Waggoner
Tennessee Insider
2132 Carlton Lane
Thompsons Station, TN 37179
(615) 600-4767
tennesseeinsider.com
Ryan Hayton
The Kelly Fund for Lupus, Inc.
5020 Hammersmith Court
Nashville, TN 37211
(201) 621-1505
thekellyfundforlupus.org
Brenda Blackmon
Tim Stillings
1112 Glenbrook Dr.
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 202-1557
timstillings.com
Tim Stillings
Triple Crown Bakery
412 Spring View Dr.
Franklin, TN 37064
(928) 941-9495
triplecrownbakery.com
Alena Vaughn
WGU Tennessee
501 Corporate Center Dr.
Ste. 390
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 472-6056
tennessee.wgu.edu
Kirk Graves
Join the Chamber now
to take advantage
of golf sponsorships!
WHAt’S coming up
The next Public Affairs Roundtable (PAR) is being rescheduled due to the
Memorial Day holiday, so check williamsonchamber.com to learn when state
legislators will meet to discuss educational issues addressed in the just-completed
General Assembly. The PAR sessions are free and open to the public.
The Young Professionals (YPs) have a trio of exciting summer events lined up.
On Friday, June 27, a bus will travel to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg for
an industry site visit. The $40 trip fee includes a tour, lunch and a presentation
about the company’s marketing strategy. On July 10 the YPs will get together for a
songwriter fundraiser, followed on August 18 by a golf outing and networking event.
And watch for a report from the first Williamson, Inc. Public Affairs Council, a
new quarterly meeting that will address issues of broad community concern. The
May session focused on traffic challenges in the region and featured Michael
Skipper, executive director of the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
THEPOINT is published as a partnership between the Williamson Chamber and TheTennessean.
For editorial inquiries, contact Libby Older at libby@williamsonchamber.com.
For advertising information, contact Lauren Carpenter at lauren@williamsonchamber.com.
5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150 | Franklin, TN 37067 | 615.771.1912 | www.williamsonchamber.com
THE POINT l May 2014
Page 3
Page 4
THE POINT l May 2014
April membership meeting
In a nod to the roots music theme, many attendees
broke out their hats, including Derby Jones at right,
shown here with John Burns.
Luncheon speaker Sen. Lamar Alexander and
Americana Music Foundation Executive Director Jed
Hilly shared a light moment before the meeting began.
The new members were welcomed at two reserved tables at the April luncheon.
Meeting mixes music, business
and news of Americana fest
Williamson County Schools is a great Chamber partner, represented
here by Deb Enright, left, Carol Birdsong and Lydia Glynn.
Surprise guest Rodney Crowell
shared some stories and songs from
his just-released album, Tarpaper Sky.
YOUR LIFE. YOUR WORK. YOUR PLAY.
YOUR HEALTH. OUR PASSION.
Grammy-winning songwriter Rodney
Crowell contributed a surprise performance at the April Williamson Chamber
luncheon, which opened with Sen.
Lamar Alexander presenting a “lead
sheet” replica of the “Tennessee Waltz”
and closed with Americana Music
Association (AMA) Executive Director
Jed Hilly announcing a 10-day music
festival coming at the end of May.
“Today is all about music,” said
Williamson, Inc. President and Chief
Executive Officer Matt Largen, who
noted both its emotional importance
and economic impact as a unique
local characteristic that sometimes
“seals the deal” for companies
looking to relocate.
In closing his address, luncheon
speaker Hilly announced the new
10-day Americana Experience, which
will feature more than 50 musical acts
throughout the county over two weeks
in restaurants, music venues and the
historic Franklin Theatre. Tickets were
still available at press time for the
culminating AMA-sponsored outdoor
event, the Cross-County Lines concert
at the Park at Harlinsdale on Franklin
Road. Patty Griffin and John Hiatt will
headline the family-friendly show,
which costs $35. More information is
available at americanamusic.org.
Hilly said the AMA’s move in 2013
to The Factory at Franklin “was a
business decision” – a way to make
sure dollars were spent wisely. He said
the AMA has received tremendous
support from local community leaders
and government officials.
“A lot of incredible visions have
come to fruition being in a community
that appreciates legacy, appreciates
history, appreciates culture,” said Hilly.
And during that time The Factory also
has become something of a magnet for
the performance arts, with the most
recent new tenant announcement coming from Music City Roots. The weekly
live-performance radio show will move
from its original home at The Loveless
Café Barn in Nashville to the refurbished industrial space starting July 9.
“We have a lot to celebrate here,”
Alexander said in opening remarks.
“And music is an important part of
the celebration.” Alexander shared
how, as Tennessee governor, he and
his wife entertained Saturn officials
considering locating in the state by
featuring “the best harmonica player
in the world” – much to the chagrin
of one attendee who thought classical
music might have made a better
impression. The “Tennessee Waltz”
“lead sheet” replica he presented to
the Chamber bears handwritten
changes made to the beloved song,
which became an unexpected hit and
ended up an official state song.
The April membership luncheon was
presented by Vanderbilt Health, which
soon will have offices and clinics in 17
sites around the county. Vanderbilt
also will be presenting sponsor for the
May 20 luncheon, which will feature a
technology entrepreneur panel at The
Factory. The cost is $35 for members
and $40 for non-members, who may
sign up as guests. Register online by
noon on Friday, May 16, to avoid a $5
late fee.
what’s new IN WILLIAmSON
THE POINT l May 2014
Page 5
We CelebrAte With loCAl bUsinesses As theY open, eXpAnD AnD renovAte!
AmeRICAN FAmILY CARe
AVeDA INStItUte NASHVILLe
FAB’RIK NASHVILLe
Ground Breaking – April 23 • 10 employees
Ribbon Cutting – April 27 • 40 employees
Ribbon Cutting – April 18 • 5 employees
Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., American
Family Care provides accessible, top-quality primary care,
urgent care, family care and occupational medicine for all
ages. No appointment is necessary. All major forms of
medical insurance are accepted. The AFC network includes
51 clinics in four states.
Aveda Institute Nashville boasts 100 chairs for hair and
nail services, 10 treatment rooms for spa services and a
retail center. Students provide luxury salon and spa
services, supervised by licensed educators, at discounted
rates. Men, women and children all enjoy the great prices
and the great results.
This growing brand’s first Nashville-area store offers
women’s clothes and accessories with “high style and
heart.” Shoppers can find a variety of apparel and locally
made jewelry, along with shoes, hats and other
accessories. Fab’rik specializes in styling and personal
shopping with no attitude or sticker shock.
HUNGRY HOWIe’S PIZZA
mINI OF NASHVILLe
Ribbon Cutting – April 29 • 20 employees
Ribbon Cutting – April 17 • 20 employees
SPINe & SPORt
ReHABILItAtION INStItUte
The right ingredients and years of experience combine to
bring customers the best pizzas, calzones, breads, wings
and salads. Home of the Original Flavored Crust, Hungry
Howie’s makes every order fresh and fast. Now in 564
locations in 22 states, the company is one of the country’s
largest pizza franchises.
The first MINI location in Williamson County, this dealer
offers the best value in new and used automobiles and a
world-class sales, parts and service staff. Customer
satisfaction is the top priority. MINI of Nashville is owned
by the Sonic Automotive Group, which operates 107
dealerships in 15 states.
2070 Wall Street • Spring Hill
9200 Carothers Parkway • Franklin
1755 Galleria Boulevard • Franklin
1556 McEwen Drive, Suite 120 • Franklin
1572 Mallory Lane • Brentwood
217 Jamestown Park Road, Suite 5 • Brentwood
Ribbon Cutting – April 22 • 1 employee
With a doctorate in chiropractic medicine, Audra Lance offers
rehabilitation solutions based on individual evidence-based
treatment plans. For patients suffering from athletic injury,
discomfort due to pregnancy and more, she uses extensive
training to uncover the cause of pain and dysfunction.
May luncheon Nolensville strategic plan says get ready to grow
(ContinUeD from pAge 1)
customers. The company also
offers unbiased advice online
and by in-house experts and
is paid by vendors only when
a user makes a purchase.
The May luncheon is being
presented by Monroe Carell
Jr. Children’s Hospital at
Vanderbilt. It costs $35 for
members and $40 for nonmembers, who may register
as guests. A $5 late fee will
be added after noon on
Friday, May 16. Register now
at williamsonchamber.com.
The town of Nolensville
needs to get ready for twice
as many residents by 2025,
which will require an
expansion of funding and
basic services in order to
maintain the quality of life in
the tight-knit community on
Williamson’s eastern edge.
Those projections are
highlighted in a Strategic
Operations Study that
consultant Mike Walker
prepared and presented at
the April Nolensville Area
Business Council (NABC).
The quarterly meeting is
organized by Williamson,
Inc., the Chamber and
Economic Development, to
support and promote
business growth in the fastgrowing area. Walker, the
former Brentwood city
manager for more than two
decades, now heads up the
private consulting company
Table Rock Resources.
Noting that there appears
to be no “windfall” of
revenue in Nolensville’s
future, Walker told about 60
audience members that the
property tax rate may have to
go up to help support road
improvements, police
protection and other public
services for the larger
population. He said the town
will need to hire a qualified
professional in local
government management to
oversee growth-related
planning and implementation.
Nolensville has about
7,500 residents today, up
from about 5,800 in 2010.
The town is opening a new
community center and
looking forward to three new
Williamson County schools
welcoming students in the
fall of 2016, serving all
grades from elementary
through high school.
The complete Strategic
Operations Study is available
online at nolensvilletn.gov.
The speaker for the next
quarterly NABC is Andy
Marshall, the local
entrepreneur behind the
popular Puckett’s family
of restaurants.
Page 6
THE POINT l May 2014
Education
initiative
events&meetings
In April, Terri Hedges of Mailer’s Choice
spoke to an entrepreneurship class at
Summit High School as part of the
recently established Speakers Bureau.
To learn more about the education
initiative partnership between the
Williamson County Schools and the
Chamber, go to the “Education”
section of williamsonchamber.com.
The Chamber office is located in Cool Springs
at 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150, Franklin.
MAY 13 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION
8 a.m., Chamber office
Presented by First Citizens National Bank
MAY 14 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOCUS
11:30 a.m., Envision Conference Center
9010 Overlook Blvd., Brentwood
Speaker: Kate Herman
Nashville Business Journal
MAY 19FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION
4 p.m., Chamber office
MAY 20 MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
11:30 a.m., The Factory, Jamison Hall
230 Franklin Road, Franklin
Panel moderator: Bryan Huddleston
Nashville Technology Council
Panel members: Rob Bellenfant,
Jake Fagan and Stephen Franklin
Presented by Monroe Carell Jr.
Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
MAY 21 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONNECT
5 p.m., Puckett’s Boat House
94 E. Main St., Franklin
MAY 22 MEMBER CONNECT! LEADS EXCHANGE
Two sessions, members only
7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Chamber office
MAY 27 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
11:30 a.m., Brentwood United Methodist
Church
Speaker: Anne Holt, News 2 WKRN-TV
Presented by MedSolutions
JUNE 4GOLF CLASSIC AND MIXER
8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Tee off
5:30 p.m., After-play mixer
Vanderbilt Legends Club
1500 Legends Club Lane, Franklin
Presented by Nissan
JUNE 6 YOUR SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE:
FIRST FRIDAY
7:30 a.m., E|SPACES
1550 W. McEwen Dr., Franklin
Speaker: Alex Tolbert
JUNE 10 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION
3:30 p.m., Chamber office
Presented by First Citizens National Bank
JUNE 12FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION
9 a.m., Chamber office
RIBBON CUTTINGS
MAY 8, 4:30 p.m. • Century II
MAY 15, 5 p.m. • Stonegate Mortgage
MAY 20, 10 a.m. • Next Generation Dentists
MAY 22, 5 p.m. • Berry Farms Dental
JUNE 11, 10 a.m. • Jill Zientek-Photographic Artist
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE
FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION.
Leadership program applications due June 6
The Williamson, Inc.
Leadership Brentwood program is
looking for 15 to 20 class
members for 2015 who are
committed to their community
and would like to get an in-depth
look into how it works.
Applications and more information are available online at
leadershipbrentwood.org. The
submission deadline is June 6 for
the program, which is being presented by FirstBank-Brentwood.
The Williamson County
Chamber Foundation oversees
the program, which provides
intensive educational and
networking sessions related to
business, government, media,
arts, schools and higher education, entertainment and more. A
commitment to attend all sessions is required to participate.
Working in small teams, participants also complete a selfdirected community project that
The 2014 Leadership Brentwood class finished the year with a graduation ceremony after learning
more about the community and working to give back through a team project.
Golf Classic
typically requires 10 to 15 hours
over about seven months.
“Class members are selected
based on a variety of factors,
including their connection to the
Brentwood area,” said Foundation
Director Lynn Tucker. “However,
last year’s class, for example, had
participants who live and work
throughout the county. Our goal
each year is to gather a cross-section of leaders representing business, government and non-profits.”
Applicants will be notified by
the first week of July about
selection for this prestigious
program, which has educated
more than 360 participants since
its inception in 1991. Program
tuition is $600 per person, which
often is paid by employers or as a
business expense related to
professional development. Limited
financial assistance is available.
Questions not addressed
online may be sent to
lynn@williamsonchamber.com.
(Continued from Page 1)
range of prices still are available,
including several spots at the
$2,000 championship level,
where Williamson Medical Center
already has pledged support.
Proceeds from the Golf Classic,
which was a sell-out in 2013,
support a wide variety of educational, leadership and networking
opportunities for Chamber
members and the community at
large. And the leadership groups
for adults and youth organized by
the Williamson County Chamber
Foundation also receive support
from these signature events.
“I am happy to meet with
anyone interested in learning
more to explain how the
sponsorships work and the great
business benefits they bring,”
said Chief Operating Officer Cindi
Parmenter. “Our meetings and
event staff members – Abby Bass
and Jenna Eckert – also can
answer questions and get people
signed up to sponsor and to play.”
Held at the beautiful Vanderbilt
Legends Club, the Golf Classic is
a flighted scramble with a shotgun start. With both a morning
and an afternoon tournament, the
Classic can accommodate 240
golfers, who may sign up on
teams or individually and be
placed on a team. The cost is
$700 per team or $175 for individuals, which includes all meals
for players. Lunch will be provided
by Back Yard Burgers and dinner
by Corky’s Ribs and BBQ.
And never let anyone say the
Chamber neglects to celebrate a
great occasion. Non-players can
join in at the 5:30 p.m. mixer,
which costs $15 and is open to
both members and non-members.
The Classic’s top golfers will be
toasted and door prizes awarded
as the evening falls.
Call 615-771-1912 to find out
more about sponsorships, and
register online at
williamsonchamber.com.
THE POINT l May 2014
Page 7
Chamber benefits go far beyond meetings and events
With a multitude of one-ofa-kind educational and
professional development
meetings and events to
attend, Chamber members
can feel overwhelmed by the
thought of putting all those
dates on their calendar.
But the benefits of Chamber
membership go beyond these
offerings, which some business
professionals may find difficult
to fit into their schedules
month to month.
For those time-strapped
current and prospective
members, here are just a few
ways the Chamber provides
unequivocal pay-back for
membership dollars spent.
l The Chamber
recommends only members.
The staff routinely fields calls
and emails from people looking
for goods and services. When a
request comes in, the staff
member searches the database
and refers a Chamber member
either by phone or email. When
e-referrals to all members in a
requested business category
are made through our database
system, the referred members
also receive a notification of
that and can follow up.
l The Chamber website
business directory listing is
robust and searchable. Anyone
coming to the Chamber
website can search for a
member by name, by product
or by service. The directory
business listing is maintained
by the member, who can
enhance it in a variety of ways
and link it to their company
website. A tracking system
lets members see how many
times they’ve come up in a
search, as well as how many
times their website has been
accessed from the listing.
l All company employees
can participate in Chamber
functions. A Chamber business
membership is like an
extended professional
development tool for all the
staff. From mastering social
media to learning how local
government works, educational
and leadership development
opportunities abound – not to
mention networking that can
lead to new clients and solidify
relationships with current ones.
l Sponsoring Chamber
events raises business visibility.
With a range of prices for
sponsorships, businesses can
target and reach just the
audience they’re after – think
Women in Business luncheons
for health care services or First
Friday meetings for smallbusiness consultants.
l Chamber membership
builds credibility. Putting the
Williamson Chamber logo on
a business website and
business cards reinforces a
commitment to professional
business relationships. And
very soon Chamber staff will
begin visiting members to
provide a logo window cling to
make that commitment even
more visible to customers and
the public.
l Partnership discount
programs can save money. The
Chamber’s affinity partners –
Office Depot, UPS and
Windstream Communications –
provide discounts to customers
who have access to the
Chamber partnership program.
l Members can advertise
jobs on the website and
promote specials through
targeted emails. Called Hot
Deals, members’ special
promotions are emailed to
approximately 4,000 people
and posted on the website.
l The Chamber shares
member news on the website
and through social media.
Press releases related to staff
changes and company news
are posted on the website
upon request, and significant
news often is shared via
Facebook and Twitter.
To make the most of
Chamber affiliation, current
and prospective members
need only take a few minutes
to study Chamber offerings
and target their efforts where
it matters the most for their
business. That could mean
finding out where commercial
development is coming,
teeing off with top financial
executives in the Golf Classic
or seeking out a female
mentor at a Women in
Business luncheon.
And, in between, members
can keep up with what’s going
on through regular Monday
morning e-newsletters and
other email announcements, a
variety of staff tweets, and
this monthly newsletter, where
they can announce an
opening, expansion or
renovation with a ribboncutting brief and photo.
Sweeping industry changes force media evolution
Media executive Laura Hollingsworth shared her
insights into transformative leadership at the April
Women in Business luncheon, as she recounted her
career in one of America’s “most challenged
industries.”
The TN Media president and The Tennessean
publisher shared how she started in the news
business at age 12, adding her input as her
advertising sales manager mom did layout and
design in the evening. That led to her first job at
16 selling travel ads in the summer.
“I knew exactly what I wanted to be,” said
Hollingsworth, who took her Nashville position
with Gannett a year ago. “I wanted to be president
and publisher of a major newspaper by the time I
was 40.”
She reached that goal in 2007, when – just as
she hit four decades – she assumed the leadership
of The Des Moines Register.
“By that time, it wasn’t even close to the job I
had aspired to,” the Brentwood resident told the
audience of more than 100 at the Brentwood
United Methodist Church. The meeting was
presented by MedSolutions.
But through those years with Gannett,
Hollingsworth said progressive responsibilities and
educational opportunities provided by the company
helped her get ready for the next steps.
“I had been allowed to get involved in a lot of
innovative work for the company,” she said. And,
throughout her many transitions, she also had realized
Networking before the luncheon were Amy Dreiling,
left, Donna Coleman and Starla Sandifer.
Laura Hollingsworth, center, joins the Chamber’s Cindi Parmenter, left, Heather Cass of TN
Media, Dianne Conlee with MedSolutions and event chair Linda Hirsch.
this: “I loved change, and I was a catalyst of that.”
do business....Today, that’s why you see huge
Today, changing delivery systems and competing
consolidations going on.”
information enterprises are challenging the way
Vowing to continue to support the First
traditional media performs, she said.
Amendment role of the news business, Hollingsworth
“I happen to be in an industry that
said she also is committed to pioneering
used to be called the newspaper
a new business model which includes
women in
business
industry,” she said. “I’m not sure we
reevaluating what “local news” means
luncheon
know what it’s called today.”
for customers, embracing a “digitalTuesday, May 27
The close of 2008 ushered in “the
first” approach and working to bring in
11:30 a.m.
worst recession that ever hit in the
new customers while retaining old ones.
Brentwood United
advertising industry,” Hollingsworth
To do this, the news industry will need
Methodist Church
explained, which forced people to toss
“extraordinary leadership” and employJOIN US next time! ees who can be catalysts of change.
aside a generations-old playbook and
become more nimble.
“We’ve got to be fearless,” she said.
“In our business, we know for sure the way it
The featured speaker for the May Women in
was will never return,” she said. “The shift in
Business luncheon will be broadcaster Anne Holt of
technology has forever changed the way consumers
News 2, WKRN-TV.
Page 8
THE POINT l May 2014
Williamson, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Largen
with campaign co-chairs Rogers Anderson and Greg Sandfort.
Sloan Bowen, Avenue Bank; Susanna Culbertson, TTL Engineering; and
Scott Smith, Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell and Berkowitz.
State Rep. Charles Sargent; Dr. Janet Smith, Columbia State; Don Webb,
Williamson Medical Center; and Jessica Carver, Avenue Bank.
Richard Perko, Lee Company; Chuck Barber, Middle Tennessee
Electric Membership Corp.; and Doug Korn, Mars Petcare.
The Economic Partnership kick-off was attended by more than 100 business and community leaders.
Photos by brian M. bass
photos identified left to right
Sam Yeager, Bristol Development Group, and Lisa
Gregory, Turner Construction.
Bethany Lay, Columbia State Community College; Greg Sandfort,
Tractor Supply Company; and Dr. Janet Smith, Columbia State
Community College.
Economic partnership supports strategic plan goals
An inaugural Williamson, Inc.
Economic Partnership campaign
has raised nearly $1.97 million
from the private sector to help fund
economic development efforts in
Williamson County through 2019.
The campaign is seeking private
sector support of $2.9 million, to
be used over the next five years, to
supplement the economic development funds historically provided by
the county and the City of Franklin.
At press time, 68 percent of that
goal had been secured.
The public/private partnership will
support the goals outlined in a new
economic development strategic
plan. The Economic Partnership
campaign is being chaired by
Williamson County Mayor Rogers
Anderson and Greg Sandfort,
president and chief executive officer
of Tractor Supply Company.
The campaign held a kick-off
event at Jackson National Life
Insurance Company on Tuesday,
April 22, with about 100 business
and community representatives in
attendance. Fundraising is expected
to conclude in mid-summer.
Campaign representatives will be
calling on another 60 businesses in
the region over the next two months.
The Williamson County
Commission has allotted an annual
budget of $300,000 for economic
development, which has been supplemented annually by a donation
from the City of Franklin. Over the
next five years this $1.625 million
commitment, together with the
$2.9 million in private sector funding, totals $4.525 million. Following
the economic development strategic
plan, the funding will be used to
achieve goals in these six areas:
• Higher education and workforce
development – $1,250,000.
• Regional economic
development – $425,000.
• Business retention and
expansion – $750,000.
• New business recruitment –
$1,325,000.
• Entrepreneurship – $450,000.
• Communication and investor
relations – $325,000.
Williamson, Inc. Economic
Development engaged Convergent
Nonprofit Solutions to help with the
fundraising campaign and asked the
company to determine how the
results from the strategic plan would
impact the region. The company
estimates that over the five-year
period the economic development
activities will result in an increase of
1,600 direct high-wage jobs, 1,150
indirect jobs and more than $143
million in new payroll. As a result of
this job growth, consumer
expenditures are expected to
increase by $79 million per year.
To learn more about the Economic
Partnership or to inquire about participating, contact Campaign Director
Elizabeth West, 615-690-2977, or
elizabeth@williamsonchamber.com.
l Economic Partnership Investors
As of April 22, Williamson, Inc. Economic
Partnership investors have made these pledges
to be distributed over a five-year period.
Founders • $200,000+
Jackson National Life Insurance Company
Tractor Supply Company
Platinum • $100,000+
Grand Avenue • Mars Petcare
Saint Thomas Health • Video Gaming Technologies
Williamson Medical Center
Gold • $50,000+
Comdata • First Tennessee Bank
Franklin Synergy Bank • Highwoods Properties
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.
Pinnacle Financial Partners • Regions Bank
Skanska USA Building, Inc. • Spectrum | Emery
Silver • $25,000+
Acadia Healthcare • Cassidy Turley
Lee Company • Turner Construction
Bronze • $10,000+
Century II • Complete Holdings Group
Flow Construction • Kraft CPAs
LifePoint Hospitals • TTL Engineering