Varied Industries, Small Businesses, Large Companies and Higher Education Represented
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 21, 2026) – Eleven business leaders from diverse industry sectors have joined the Board of Directors of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce for Fiscal Year 2027.
The new board members are David Andrews, owner of D’Andrews Bakery, Bridgid M. Carpenter, shareholder at Baker Donelson, Guru Gowrappan, chief executive officer of Asurion, L. Greg Jones, president of Belmont University, Matt Kisber, chairman of Silicon Ranch, Taylor Lindsey, chief executive officer of Sony Music Nashville, Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, Rod McDaniel, president and chief executive officer of s3 Recycling, Laura Richey, president and chief executive officer of GEODIS, Carrie Stokes, president and chief executive officer of Barge Design Solutions, Inc., and Julie Wilson, Nashville managing principal, Cushman & Wakefield.
“I’m honored to serve alongside this exceptional group of leaders at a pivotal time for our region,” said Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University and chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “The Chamber plays a vital role in bringing together leaders and organizations willing to think boldly, work together and invest in the lasting opportunities that will shape Nashville’s future. I look forward to working with this board to strengthen Nashville’s momentum and long-term competitiveness.”
The Board of Directors will play a key role in advancing the Chamber’s mission through Partnership 2030 – a strategic initiative focused on the interconnected priorities of Community Vitality, Community Mobility, and Community Character. Together, these leaders are shaping a stronger, more connected future for the Nashville region.
“It is exciting that this group of experienced leaders are joining us to not only work with businesses and employers of all kinds but also civic leaders and the community to foster economic growth and prosperity for the Nashville region,” said Stephanie Coleman, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful for their willingness to serve and help to shape the future for Middle Tennessee.”
The Chamber’s 43 member Board of Directors represents a cross-section of the Nashville region’s business leadership and plays a key role in guiding the Chamber’s strategic initiatives and long-term vision.
View the full Nashville Area Chamber Board of Directors and officers here.
The Chamber deeply appreciates the following retiring members for their dedicated service to our region’s economic prosperity:
· Kris Ahrend, chief executive officer, The Mechanical Licensing Collective
· Lee Blank, market executive, Middle Tennessee, Regions Bank
· Dave Briggs, Tennessee regional president, Fifth Third Bank, N.A.
· Randy Goodman, chairman and chief executive officer (retired), Sony Music Nashville
· Bob Higgins, co-founder, Thrivence
· Damon Hininger, president and chief executive officer, CoreCivic
· Chris Holmes, president and chief executive officer, FirstBank
· Andy Marshall, founder and chief executive officer, A. Marshall Hospitality
· Dave Walton, senior vice president, Caterpillar Inc. and president and chief executive officer, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
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Media Contact
Alexia Poe
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About the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing over 1,900 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2030 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work, and do business. Partnership 2030 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2030 investors, and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Gresham Smith and Regions Bank. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.