The Chamber Ambassadors are highly visible, prestigious volunteers who serve as our primary liaison to new chamber members. Considered the goodwill arm of the Chamber, the Ambassador Team plays an essential role in member communication and retention, and each Ambassador is charged with conveying member needs, questions and concerns to Chamber staff, and keeping our Chamber in line with our members’ desires. Upon their appointment, each Ambassador makes a commitment to build lasting relationships with the Chamber membership, particularly new members, in order to build a loyal, committed membership base that will continue to support, participate in and invest in the Chamber.
Ambassadors actively promote membership in the Chamber, facilitate networking among members and encourage meaningful participation and involvement in Chamber programs in order to enhance the membership benefits received by each member, strengthen member commitment and increase long-term member retention.
Here are our 2022 Chamber Ambassadors and the chamber businesses they are associated with:
Patrick Dowling, Ambassador Chair, First Citizens Bank
Laurie Bryson , Ambassador Vice Chair, Balsam Falls Brewing
Steve Baxley, Ambassador Secretary, Baxley's Chocolates
Chelsea Allman, Sylva Insurance Agency
Chad Gerrety, WCU Athletics
John Hagdorn, Highlander Self Storage
Marne Harris, SCC Small Business Center
Natalie Newman, Natalie Nicole Boutique + Salon
Matt Saenger, BalsamWest
Megan Orr-Sheets, Nightstar Lodging
Ina Sams, N.C. Mountain Real Estate
Michele Smith, Smith and Morgan Law
Patricia Stanberry, Apple Realty
Karson Walston, The Bug Lads
Brett Woods, Southwestern Community College
Here is our 2022 Board of Directors:
Chad Gerrety, Chair
Rusty Ellis, Vice Chair
Trenia Sims, Treasurer
Rich Anderson
Gorham Bradley
Erica Bullock
Dale Collins
Sharon Montague
Nicole Owen
Bobby Richardson
Joel Sowers
Brett Woods
Zeta Woody