Intrigue surrounds search for new Nashville chamber CEO
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The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new CEO at a time when it is no longer the dominant force in local politics.
Why it matters: The chamber plays a key role in workforce development, recruiting companies to Nashville and advocating for the political interests of the business community. But lately, relationships with some local leaders have frayed.
- That dynamic has added political intrigue to the search for a new CEO with longtime leader Ralph Schulz retiring.
The big picture: For many years, the city included a grant to the chamber in its budget to help with economic development efforts, such as bringing Amazon and AllianceBernstein to Nashville.
- At its peak in 2017, Metro's grant to the chamber was $375,000.
- Council slashed the chamber's grant over several budgets before Mayor John Cooper completely eliminated it in 2023.
State of play: Leading progressive groups like Stand Up Nashville, the Equity Alliance and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition — not the chamber — are the dominant forces in city politics these days.
Zoom in: The Metro Council vote on the police department's Fusus contract sums up the realignment.
- The business community largely supported a contract that would give police quick access to private video surveillance footage, but the council voted the proposal down earlier this month after opposition from progressive organizations.
Zoom out: In 2022, the chamber supported failed state legislation to eliminate elected school boards in Nashville.
- The chamber also took criticism for standing down on several pieces of state legislation that targeted Nashville, such as control of the Airport Authority and cutting the size of the Metro Council.
Yes, but: Schulz played a leading role in Nashville's explosive growth and was a vocal supporter of the successful transportation funding referendum.
- Since the 1990s, the chamber has collaborated with Metro on a long-term economic development plan, currently called Partnership 2030. The Nashville mayor typically co-chaired the initiative, but Cooper elected not to.
- O'Connell rejoined Partnership 2030, which was a step toward improving relations.
- Despite those successes, the chamber could stand to make political inroads with Metro leaders and Nashville's state lawmakers.
The intrigue: Against that backdrop, the chamber is searching for a new CEO and several interesting names could be top candidates.
- Stephanie Coleman has been at the chamber for 16 years and would be a logical internal option to replace Schulz. Coleman has worked on marketing, policy and talent development.
- Matt Wiltshire, a former city official and mayoral candidate, has a good relationship with Mayor Freddie O'Connell and other Metro leaders. Wiltshire narrowly missed the runoff in last year's mayor's race and garnered heavy support from the business community during his run.
- Joelle Phillips is the former president of AT&T Inc. Tennessee, one of Nashville's largest employers. She stepped down from her role at AT&T last year and enjoys excellent relationships with business and political leaders.
- Matt Largen has led the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce for over a decade and is another favorite of the business community.