105th Annual Chamber of Commerce

from VIPSEEN February 2020

by VIPSEEN

Acoustic Christmas 2019

DR. LARRY CALHOUN AND EDDIE GARRETT

MAYOR JENNY BROCK AND MARY ELLEN MILLER

TRACY EDWARDS, RHONDA CHAFIN, AND LEE WALKER

105 th Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting

EVENT COVERED BY CODY WOODS

Chamber members and sponsors gathered at the Millennium Center in Johnson City on January 10th to exchange the gavel between 2019 Chair, Neil Poland – Mullican Flooring, and the new 2020 Chair, Jennifer Keller – Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, and the annual Hall of Fame induction.

CHAMBER CORPORATE SPONSORS INCLUDE: Diamond: Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, Ballad Health, Eastman Credit Union and Smith Conkin Dixon Wealth Management.

Platinum: Bank of Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway, Eastman, East Tennessee State University, First Horizon Bank, HomeTrust Bank, Mullican Flooring, Powell Companies, Reinhart FoodService and SunTrust Bank.

Gold: Blackburn Childers & Steagall, BrightRidge, Citizens Bank, General Shale, and The Mall at Johnson City.

Silver: CITI, Firehouse Restaurant & Catering, First Bank & Trust, Food City, Johnson City Press, Milligan College, Nuclear Fuel Services, ProCompounding Pharmacy, Regions Bank, S&ME, Inc. and SummersTaylor Inc.

Bronze: Broyles Florist, Champion Chevrolet-Cadillac, CINTAS, ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy, Fleenor Security Systems, Harold Dishner State Farm, KatzAmericas, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Life Care Center of Gray, Mattern & Craig, Mayweather Boxing & Fitness, Sam’s Club, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council and Workspace Interiors.

MULLICAN FLOORING EMPLOYEES AND NEIL POLAND

ERNIE RUMSBY AND MAYOR JOE GRANDY

RICH WILSON AND BRIDGET FORRESTER

Kids Making a Difference VIP kids

STORY BY ANGELICA ARES

VIPSEEN is proud to introduce our exclusive new feature, VIPkids! We will feature kids in our region that are making a difference in their communities. We hope to spark inspiration in young leaders and instill a sense of pride and passion for giving back. Volunteerism, service, and entrepreneurship are at the heart of VIPSEEN and we believe that we should start that dedication at a young age. The first featurettes in VIPkids are young pageant contestants that are making a difference in their community by raising money and donations for local causes.

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Individual contestants do a lot on their own; Emmalyn Garmer, 2 years old, is Baby Miss Tennessee Festivals 2019. She collected items over winter break to donate to the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. Sophie Colinger, 8 years old, is Little Miss Christmas Festivals Grand Supreme 2019, donated pet food to the Washington County Animal Shelter during Christmas break. Seven-year-old Piper Sharp, Little Miss Tri-Cities Festivals 2019, volunteered at the Miss Shining Star pageant. Miss Shining Star is an annual pageant in Knoxville that offers free entry to children with special needs. Also, Jenni Boardwine, 14, donated food items to area homeless shelters in November and December as Miss Tri-Cities Festivals 2019.

Contestants also work together to make a difference. Contestants of the Miss Christmas Festivals 2019 pageant donated over 1,200 sweatshirts, hoodies, gloves and hats to Hunger First in Kingsport, TN. Four-year-old cousins Stokley Rowlands, Toddler Miss Southeast U.S. 2019, and Kynslie Overstreet, Mini Miss Southeast U.S. 2019, delivered Christmas stockings and backpacks filled with toys, candy, and hygiene items to the Greeneville Department of Child Services to be delivered during the Christmas Season to children coming into foster care.

If you know a child up to age 17 that’s making a difference and would like to be published in a future issue, please email up to 3 high resolution photos* and a brief description to: whitney@vipseenmag.com.