As 18 years of serving the Middle Tennessee business community through the Nashville Area Chamber concludes, I want to take a moment to say thank you. The opportunity to be a part of a community team that creates meaningful and lasting progress for the region has been a privilege.
Thank you to the board members and public officials, both past and present, who have led with courage and vision. To the staff, both past and present, who have given their talents, their energy, and their hearts to this mission. To the business and community leaders who have shown up—day in and day out—believing in the promise of what we can achieve together. And to the countless volunteers who’ve given their time, their ideas, and their dedication to making our region a better place.
Leadership in the Nashville region is never a solo act. It’s a shared journey. The progress we’ve made, the challenges we’ve overcome, the milestones we’ve reached—they belong to all of us. They belong to the business owners who took risks and believed their vision. To the community members who spoke up and led on difficult, shared challenges. To the countless partners who stood with us, through both the wins and the losses.
Success isn’t just about winning; it’s about showing up, about standing firm in the face of obstacles, about pressing forward even when the path isn’t always clear. Theodore Roosevelt once spoke of “the man in the arena”, the one who “strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again… but who does actually strive to do the deeds.” That sentiment has been at the core of all of our work. Whether we succeeded or fell short, we never stopped striving, because we believed in what we were building—the Nashville region we knew we could build.
Leadership, team integrity, and accountability. These are beliefs we have always held close to our mission and the way we engage with our community. I am proud to have served with teammates that always shared in the importance of those values.
I am thrilled about the future of our Chamber under Stephanie’s leadership. Over the past 17 years in the organization, Stephanie has accumulated a wealth of experience that uniquely qualifies her for this role. Her deep understanding of what drives Middle Tennessee’s growth, and her proven track record of effective leadership ensure that she is the right person to guide us forward. With Stephanie at the helm, supported by our dedicated team and partnerships with the TVA, state and local officials, and other community leaders, I am confident that the best days for the Chamber—and our community—are yet to come.
Recently, I had the chance to sit down with my grandchildren in my office and tell them about my work. I told them it wasn’t about meetings or reports or policies—it was about being part of a group of people who cared deeply about this place, about making it better, about leaving it stronger for those who come next.
The work of building a community is never finished. The future is bright because of the people who will carry it forward. To all of you who have been part of this journey—thank you. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your unwavering belief in what’s possible when we come together with purpose and determination.
With gratitude,
Ralph Schulz
