OCTOBER 2014 Vol. 16 Issue 10 in this ISSUE · OCTOBER 2014 Vol. 16 | Issue 10 PAGE 6 Student...

YOUR HEALTH.OUR PASSION.

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OCTOBER 2014Vol. 16 | Issue 10

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Student mentorsneeded now

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Business expo attracts hundreds

READ ALL ABOUT WILLIAMSON!livability.com/franklin/tn/magazine

History offers leadership lessons in October

Raise your business profile at silent auction

It’s known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, so what lesson could it possibly provide for today’s business professionals? Learn the answer to that question and more at the Tuesday, Oct. 21, Williamson Chamber monthly membership luncheon at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool Springs Blvd.

This unique presentation about the 1864 Battle of Franklin brings together Tim Pierce and Thomas Flagel to tell the story and translate how it teaches management and leadership skills. The meeting is being presented by Saint Thomas Health.

Before taking a position as director of executive programs at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of

Management, Pierce was an actor in New York City for seven years. In his Vanderbilt role and elsewhere, the Nashville resident has developed corporate leader-ship programs and worked in sales and business development.

Flagel is an assistant professor of American history at Columbia State Community College and a current doctoral student in public history at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a board member of the Battle of Franklin Trust, the Carter House, the Franklin Battlefield

Preservation Commission and Franklin’s Charge. As local organizations and resi-dents get ready to observe the 150th

anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, Flagel has written and narrated the Peabody-nominated “Sesquicentennial Stories” series, presented on WAKM AM-950. He resides in Franklin.

“Anyone who has ever seen this presentation is simply blown away by what they take away from it,” said Matt Largen, president and chief executive officer of Williamson, Inc.,

Local business products and services will be on the appetizer menu during the cocktail hour of the Williamson, Inc. annual celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road.

A silent auction will pro-vide perusing fun as guests sip drinks and enjoy food bites before the evening dinner gets underway, during which audience members will get a wrap-up of the year in the State of the Chamber

address from President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Largen.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Robert Guest, editor of one of the most influential news magazines in the world, The Economist. Guest oversees the London-based maga-zine’s coverage in the United States and has written two books. In his journalism career he has reported from nearly 70 countries and lived in six – experiences

that inform his up-to-date global perspective on business around the world.

“This is our last signa-ture event of 2014, and it promises to be an elegant, informative evening,” said Chief Operating Officer Cindi Parmenter. “We did this as a countywide Chamber for the first time last year as we rolled out our new brand. We look for-ward to having our commu-nity and business leaders all together to celebrate our

successes in Williamson County and look toward the future. We anticipate making it an annual affair.”

Chamber member businesses interested in donating items or services for the silent auction should contact Meetings and Events Director Abby Bass at [email protected] or 615-771-1912. Only 40 or so with a value of $50 or more will be featured, Bass said.

Thomas FlagelTim Pierce

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THE POINT l October 2014

THE POINT is published as a partnership between the Williamson Chamber and The Tennessean. For editorial inquiries, contact Libby Older at [email protected]. For advertising information, contact Lauren Carpenter at [email protected]. 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150 | Franklin, TN 37067 | 615.771.1912 | www.williamsonchamber.com

A Dream Come True Events and Catering

P.O. Box 92066Nashville, TN 37209(615) 259-0848adctcatering.comBecki Annastas

ABCO Roofing Co.3730 Dickerson Pike, Ste. 105Nashville, TN 37207(615) 868-6944abcoroofingtn.comJamie Gill

AuthoTrans Merchant Services LLC1202 Limerick LaneFranklin, TN 37067(615) 763-3351authotrans.comSteve Colson

Brenda Rivera405 Carphilly CourtBrentwood, TN 37027(715) 377-2851Brenda Rivera

Cornell Design GroupP.O. Box 121395Nashville, TN 37212(209) 213-2273cornelldesigngroup.comPatrick Cornell

Cost Segregation Services, Inc. (CSSI - Tennessee)

1200 Holly Hill Dr.Franklin, TN 37064(615) 478-7449cssitennessee.comJennifer Scoble

Danielle Revelette Real Estate/Bob Parks Realty

641 Old Hickory Blvd., Unit 53Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 856-3808daniellereveletterealestate.comDanielle Revelette

Davis, Brown & Company PLLC106 Mission Court, Ste. 101AFranklin, TN 37067(615) 610-1889cadaviscpas.comMichelle Romano

DevDigital LLC162 Rosa L Parks Blvd., Ste.1Nashville, TN 37203(615) 257-1491devdigital.comPeter Marcum

Elmhurst Financial Services5203 Maryland Way, Ste. 210Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 376-7878elmhurstfinancialservices.comWyatt England

Firestone Complete Autocare7029 Church St. E. Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 661-0036Tim Ruffin

FlexKom AmericaP.O. Box 84Fairview, TN 37062(615) 476-2535kissmyappgetpaid.comDenise Morrison

Franklin Tennessee Rehabilitation Center

1405-A Brookwood Ave.Franklin, TN 37064(615) 599-9162tn.govBarbara Bennett

FranNet - The Franchise Connection231 Venture CircleNashville, TN 37228(615) 202-0225FranNet.com/daronoffDan Aronoff

Grease Monkey Creative1608 Branch St.Nashville, TN 37216(636) 734-8495greasemonkeycreative.comMeghan Van Leer

Guaranteed Rate1720 General George Patton Dr. Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 800-7820guaranteedrate.com/DavidZopfDavid Zopf

Haury & Smith Contractors, Inc.7065 Moores Lane, Ste. 300Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 383-9070haurysmith.comReese Smith

Kathryn Collins & Co.2308 Foxhaven Dr. Franklin, TN 37069(615) 661-0059kcollinsco.comKathryn Collins

Legacy Mutual Mortgage2000 Glen Echo Road, Ste. 205Nashville, TN 37215(440) 225-5060legacymutual.comShawn Kaplan

Lithographics, Inc.1835 Air Lane Dr. Nashville, TN 37210(615) 889-1200lithographicsinc.com/David Oliphant

Morning Pointe of Franklin1005 Generations WayFranklin, TN 37064(423) 504-4547morningpointe.comAmy Clarke

Music City Pieworks Cool Springs, LLC DBA Pie Five Pizza

401 B Cool Springs Blvd.Ste. 220Franklin, TN 37067(615) 236-9120piefivepizza.comRich Davis

Nerium International701 Thurrock CircleBrentwood, TN 37027(615) 804-3590debstephenson.nerium.comDeb Stephenson

Northwestern Mutual501 Corporate Centre Dr.Ste. 120Franklin, TN 37067(615) 503-2832nm.comCraig Jarrell

Nurse Next Door of Greater Nashville2550 Meridian Blvd., Ste. 200Franklin, TN 37067(931) 374-8440nursenextdoor.comGreg Salkind

Office Pride718 Thompson LaneSte. 108-196Nashville, TN 37204(615) 891-2290officepride.comW. Chuck Jones

Orangetheory Fitness3301 Aspen Grove Dr., Ste. 107Franklin, TN 37067(615) 504-1110orangetheoryfitness.comMeghan Littlejohn

Panera Bread Bakery2000 Mallory Lane, Ste. 110Franklin, TN 37067(615) 771-4046Brian Kimpel

Phoenix Packaging Logistics 1117 Harpeth Industrial CourtFranklin, TN 37064(954) 742-4790phoenixpackage.comAmanda Romano

Sanity Assistants110 A West Main St.Waverly, TN 37185(931) 299-7124sanityassistants.comSabrina Nelson

Skin ReNew8119 Isabella Lane, Ste. 100Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 376-7700skinrenewclinic.comAshley Taylor

Southern Polished7018 Church St. E.Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 377-4644southernpolished.comHeath Potter

Spitfire Salon Inc.420 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 100Franklin, TN 37067(615) 786-9786spitfiresalon.comStacy Gower

TAC Treats LLC DBA Baskin Robbins

127 Franklin Road, Ste. 110Brentwood, TN 37027(615) 377-4798Tootser Carell

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

220 French Landing, Ste. 4BNashville, TN 37243(615) 790-5512tn.govPat Kuhlman

Tennessee Home Inventory Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 682561Franklin, TN 37068(615) 519-1400thishelpsu.comJohn Dillard

The Goddard School - Moss Lane98 Moss LaneFranklin, TN 37064(615) 538-2410goddardschool.com

The Green Hills Group4219 Hillsboro Road, Ste. 200Nashville, TN 37215(615) 485-3882thegreenhillsgroup.comJadyn Stevens

The Harpeth Room at Loveless Cafe8400 Tennessee Highway 100Nashville, TN 37221(615) 646-9700lovelesscafe.comJessica Charlton

Thank you to these volunteers for their contributions this month to the Williamson Chamber membership committees.

kudos l SALLY MINK, Two Men and a Truck, as an Ambassador for attending the most Chamber meetings and ribbon cuttings.

l MICHELLE ALLEN-PARKER, Moore Media, of the Engagement Committee for mentoring the most new members through the orientation process.

l DIANE ADAMS, Alexander’s Mobility Service, of the Member Relations Committee for excelling in her efforts to reach out to members.

l STECK JOHNSON of Healthcare Solutions Team, JANET NORMAN of First Citizens National Bank - Franklin Financial Center and DAN TELFORD of Exodus HR Group from the Development Committee, who tied for bringing in the most new members for the month.

WELCOME new members JOIN THE MEMBER BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE WILLIAMSON CHAMBER.

CALL US TODAY AT 615-771-1912.


YOUR HEALTH. OUR PASSION.YOUR LIFE. YOUR WORK. YOUR PLAY.

Ask selfie inventors what’s upIf employers are committed to

engaging young adults in the workplace, they need to ask them what they want.

That was the message audience members got from author and consul-tant Sarah Sladek, who kicked off the September business expo as the key-note speaker. Sladek is the founder of XYZ University and author of the book Knowing Y.

Sladek placed Generation Y, also known as Millennials, as people born from 1982 to 1995. She observed that by 2015, nearly 40 percent of the workforce will be made up of Gen Y workers, outnumbering the 30 percent known as Baby Boomers and the 22 percent just ahead of Gen Y in age, Generation X. It will be the “largest shift in human capital” ever seen, she said.

With technology at their fingertips, these inventors of the photo selfie are

accustomed to working anywhere and at anytime, she explained. As soci-ety’s first “digital natives,” they value interacting via media and expect instant gratification in a 24/7 Googleable world, she said.

But they aren’t prone to sticking around for long when they’re hired – a trait that frustrates employers, Sladek added. On average, employees under the age of 35 move on after 20 months, she noted.

Sladek advised employers that using the direct approach – asking them for input – produces the best response. To engage them successfully, employers must earn their trust and offer them meaningful work, she said. To that end, she left her audience with this chal-lenge: in 30 days have 30 conversa-tions with the “emerging talent” – the Millennials – to determine how to make the workplace more relevant for them.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS WRAPS UP City officials shared news about Brentwood at the

September Public Affairs Roundtable, as Mayor Betsy Crossley and City Manager Kirk Bednar joined Chamber Public Affairs Chair Dave Crouch for the question-and-answer discussion.

The 2014 roundtable sessions will wrap up on Monday, Oct. 27, when the discussion will focus on issues voters will be asked to decide in the general election coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

All community members are invited to attend the free 7:15 a.m. roundtable. The meeting is broadcast live on WC-TV, the county’s educational and government channel, and is available on-demand from the county website, williamsoncounty-tn.gov.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LOOK AHEADThe Williamson Chamber Young Professionals will get

together on Thursday, Oct. 23, to talk about topics and activ-ities to include in next year’s lineup of meetings and mixers.

The hour-long meeting will be held in Cool Springs at M*Modal, 5000 Meridian Blvd., Suite 200. Snacks will be served, and all Chamber members 40 and younger are invited to come by and contribute their ideas.

And the popular after-hours networking mixer with Nashville peers is back at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, downtown at Rocketown, 601 4th Ave. S. It will include display booths staffed by members of more than 25 young professional organizations. To learn more and register, see the event calendar at nashvillechamber.com.

BUSINESSEXPOSEE RELATED STORY AND PHOTOS ON PAGE 8

Getting in the Millennial spirit,

Ann Skiera, left, and Brentwood Mayor

Betsy Crossley snapped a selfie.

Author Sarah Sladek spoke about young adults in the workplace.

Chelsea Swindle, left, and Melanie Adams represented the Center for Executive Education at Belmont University.

The group from TN Media – the expo’s presenting sponsor – included Eddie Thurman, left, Chad Rogers, Katie Trickey, Beth Ferry and Carrie Cowles.

Attendees enjoyed the Vanderbilt Health exhibit booth.


MARISTONE OF FRANKLIN347 Riverside Dr. • Franklin

Ribbon Cutting – Sept. 19 • 50 employees

Maristone provides assisted living and memory care services with a focus on dementia and Alzheimer’s at two locations in Tennessee. Managed by the nation’s leading provider of full-service senior living communities, Maristone is committed to taking care of the details so that seniors can live life to the fullest.

FRANKLIN SYNERGY BANK134 Pewitt Dr., Suite 100 • Brentwood


With growth that prompted a move to this new location, Franklin Synergy aims to serve the community with a wide range of banking and wealth management products and services. Started in 2007 with a local board of directors and management team, the bank now includes 11 branches in Rutherford and Williamson counties.

GRACE HEALTHCARE OF FRANKLIN1287 W. Main St. • Franklin

Open House – Sept. 11 • 85 employees

This open house celebrated the completion of a welcoming lobby area, as well as renovations to private and semi-private suites aimed at serving short-term rehabilitation patients. One of 21 Grace facilities in the state, the company provides a range of therapy and care services in a homelike environment.

FIRST CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK 1304 Murfreesboro Road * Franklin


This event recognized a milestone for the bank – serving customers for 125 years. Community members and customers were invited to celebrate with the company, in which employees own about 20 percent of the stock. Currently at 20 branches, First Citizens expects to add three more locations in the near future.

FULIN’S ASIAN CUISINE 3046 Columbia Ave., Unit 102 • Franklin


If it’s Asian cuisine you’re craving, Fulin’s is the place to get it. This new location serves up popular Chinese fare, as well as offering a wide variety of fresh sushi. One of 10 Fulin’s locations, the food often appears on “best in town” lists created from customer input. Stop by for the daily lunch special.

CASTLE & COOKE MORTGAGE LLC 109 Westpark Dr., Suite 150 • Brentwood


With a business name dating back to 1851, Castle & Cooke provides mortgage purchase financing and refinancing, serving jumbo borrowers to first-time homeowners and renovators. Focusing on fast, convenient service, the company does underwriting and closings around the clock from this Brentwood location.

what’s new IN WILLIAMSON WE CELEBRATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AS THEY OPEN, EXPAND AND RENOVATE!

the Chamber and Economic Development. “We learn so much about our local history while gaining skills that will benefit us in the workplace today.”

Attendees should arrive at 11 a.m. for networking. The hour-long luncheon program will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $35 for Chamber members and $40 for non-mem-bers, who may register as guests. Sign up online at williamsonchamber.com by noon on Friday, Oct. 17, to avoid the $5 late fee. All community members are invited to attend.

For more information, contact [email protected] or 615-771-1912.

“We’re looking for high-value items that will really grab the attention of the guests,” she explained. “Unique and unusual experiences always are popular. And businesses also are welcomed to get together to offer a package combination to bring in those competing bids.”

The silent auction items will be set up in the courtyard area outside of Jamison Hall. Bidding before the meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Dinner will start at 6 p.m., followed by the speakers at 6:30.

The State of the Chamber annual celebration is being presented by the Lipscomb University College of Business and Spark: Lipscomb’s Idea Center. Four event sponsors already have signed on: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, TN Media, Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center.

Eight event sponsorship spots for this highly anticipated evening still are available. Contact Bass or [email protected] to learn more or join this elite group of community and business supporters.

Silent auction (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) October luncheon (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) TO DO NOW!

* Complete the Chamber

survey at the link sent

in Matt Largen’s

Oct. 3 email

* Reserve a spot as an

event sponsor of the

Nov. 19 annual meeting

celebration

* Save the dates for the YP

(Dec. 2) and WIB (Dec. 9)

holiday parties


The CHAMBER OFFICE is located in Cool Springs at 5005 Meridian Blvd., Suite 150, Franklin.

OCT 14 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION 3:30 p.m., Chamber office Presented by First Citizens National Bank OCT 16 NOLENSVILLE AREA BUSINESS COUNCIL QUARTERLY MEETING 11:30 a.m., Providence Baptist Fellowship 1668 Sunset Road, Brentwood Speaker: Mike Coleman Presented by Williamson Medical Center OCT 16 YP NASHVILLE CONNECT 5:30 p.m., Rocketown 601 4th Ave. S., Nashville OCT 21 MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m., Franklin Marriott Cool Springs 700 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin Speakers: Tim Pierce, Thomas Flagel Presented by Saint Thomas Health OCT 23 MEMBER CONNECT! LEADS EXCHANGE Two sessions, members only 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Chamber office OCT 23 YP BRAINSTORMING SESSION 4 p.m., M* Modal 5000 Meridian Blvd., Suite 200, Franklin OCT 27 PUBLIC AFFAIRS ROUNDTABLE 7:15 a.m., Williamson County Administrative Complex 1320 W. Main St., Franklin OCT 27 FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION 4 p.m., Chamber office OCT 28 WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m., Brentwood United Methodist Church 309 Franklin Road, Brentwood Speaker: Yolanda Harris-Jackson Presented by Williamson Medical Center NOV 7 YOUR SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE: FIRST FRIDAY 7:30 a.m, E|SPACES 1550 W. McEwen Dr., Suite 300, Franklin Speaker: Sen. Bob Corker Presented by FirstBank NOV 11 CHAMBER 101 MEMBER ORIENTATION 8 a.m., Chamber office Presented by First Citizens National Bank NOV 12 YP FOCUS 11:30 a.m., Spark, Lipscomb’s Idea Center 3252 Aspen Grove Dr., Suite 9, Franklin Presented by Lipscomb University College of Business NOV 13 FUTURE MEMBERS INFO SESSION 9 a.m., Chamber office

RIBBON CUTTINGSOCT 10, 10:30 a.m. • Pie Five OCT 16, 4 p.m. • Randstad Staffing OCT 23, 4 p.m. • Civil & Environmental

Consultants, Inc.

PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION.

Mentors needed to help students access college

events&meetings

About 300 volunteer mentors are needed in Williamson County to help local high school students navigate the college application process so they can take advantage of the Tennessee Promise, the new program that will provide tuition for students to attend a state community college, technical college or other eligible institution.

The program provides last- dollar support, which kicks in after all other aid has been applied. The funding is available for five con-secutive semesters starting with the 2015 senior class to enable students to attain a two-year aca-demic or technical degree or certi-fication. Support will be capped at about $4,000 for two semesters. All Tennessee high school seniors, regardless of family income, are eligible to participate.

About 1,375 students in Williamson County are expected to apply, said Graham Thomas, director of community partner-ships for tnAchieves, the non-profit agency chosen by County Mayor Rogers Anderson to orga-nize mentoring for Williamson stu-dents and provide administrative support. Started as knoxAchieves in 2008, in six years the group has helped more than 12,000 students enroll at a post-second-ary institution. A majority of the students were the first in their

family to take this crucial step.Mentors will be assigned five to

10 students and can choose the Williamson high school where they want to volunteer. They must com-plete a one-hour mandatory training session and attend two team meetings. The time investment is estimated at 10 to 15 hours, which typically involves contacting assigned students by phone, email or text at least once every two weeks from January through December. Mentors must be at least 21 and are subject to a background check to ensure student safety. The volunteers will receive extensive supporting materials from tnAchieves to make the process quick and easy, Thomas explained.

Mentors may apply to partici-pate in the program through Nov. 1 at tnAchieves.org.

Students who want to apply for Tennessee Promise funding must participate in the tnAchieves men-toring program starting in their senior year and also apply for the Tennessee Promise program online by Nov. 1 at tnpromise.gov. Applicants must take the ACT standardized test by April 18, but no score requirement is set.

The FAFSA – the Free

Application for Federal Student Aid – is used to determine Tennessee Promise funding, as well as for other types of loans

and grants. Students must complete the financial form online by Feb. 15. In addition, students must apply directly by Feb. 15 to the

approved post-secondary institu-tions of their choice. A list of the approved schools and other dead-line information is available on the tnpromise.gov website and from high school guidance counselors.

Students may only enter the Tennessee Promise pipeline directly after high school graduation, so participation in tnAchieves and Tennessee Promise in their senior year is essential. Mentors will play a key role in supporting students in this process and working with them to finish required paper-work and meet deadlines, said Thomas, who can be reached at [email protected].

“This mentoring program is designed so that even the busiest executive, parent or young profes-sional can participate and make a meaningful impact,” he explained. “This work truly can change lives and transform communities.”

In October the 2015 Leadership Brentwood participants considered what makes our great quality of life after learning about local history in their first session. The non-profit Williamson County Chamber Foundation sponsors the leadership program, which continues through this spring.

LEADERSHIP BRENTWOOD

Put together your ‘marketing toolkit’ at NABC luncheon

Space pioneer lands back at home

Young Chamber members can get leadership training

Young professionals who have a passion for serving the community can prepare to contrib-ute on a nonprofit board by participating in the Young Leaders Council, which is accepting applications online by Dec. 15 for the 2015 Williamson County class.

Young Leaders Council (YLC) is a Nashville-based nonprofit organization that has trained more than 2,000 men and women for board participation over nearly three decades. The council is partnering with the Williamson Chamber for a third year to offer a class to Chamber members who are 25 to 40 years old. Individual Williamson Chamber members, as well as employees of any company that has Chamber membership, are eligible to participate.

The program of 11 half-day, weekly ses-sions begins in February at the Chamber’s Cool Springs office. Chamber young profes-sionals can apply online at youngleaderscoun-cil.org. Class members will be announced in early January. The participation fee is $475, which the council said employers sometimes provide upon request.

The sessions cover crucial skills needed for nonprofit leadership, including board member responsibilities, strategic planning, nonprofit financials, legal responsibilities, conflict reso-lution, fundraising and how to have effective meetings. Program graduates serve a one-year internship on a local non-profit board to put their elevated skills into action.

In addition to the Chamber class, the YLC provides four other classes locally that gradu-ate some 130 participants annually.

For more information, contact YLC Executive Director Diane Hayes at [email protected] or 615-386-0060.

To inquire about joining the Chamber in order to apply, call 615-771-1912. Find out if your employer is a Chamber member by searching the business directory under “Chamber” at williamsonchamber.com.

Effective market-ing is essential for success in today’s competitive market-place, and Mike Coleman makes that his business.

Coleman will share marketing strategies for small businesses and organizations at the next quarterly Nolensville Area

Business Council (NABC) luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Providence Baptist Fellowship, 1668 Sunset Road.

Coleman helps businesses develop digital marketing solutions in their quest to grow their client base, increase revenue and promote what they offer. He works with all types of customers, from small shops to large service providers and individuals.

He has produced more than a dozen audio programs and published

more than 200 articles on technology, marketing, business development and other topics related to business growth. The professional speaker also is an authorized local expert for Constant Contact, which provides mar-keting services through email newslet-ters, surveys, events, social media pro-motions, online listings and more.

The NABC is sponsored by the Williamson Chamber to provide conve-nient educational and networking

opportunities for business professionals in the Nolensville area. However, busi-ness professionals from throughout the county are encouraged to attend the programs and network with prospective clients and vendors in this fast-growing eastern section of the county.

The 11:30 a.m. luncheon costs $15 for both Chamber and community members. The NABC is presented by Williamson Medical Center. Register now at williamsonchamber.com.

Rhea Seddon knows what it’s like to go first. She became a surgeon and an astronaut at a time when very few women chose those career paths.

Then she went and married a fellow space traveler and they produced the first “astrotot,” one of four offspring they eventually would add to the family.

“NASA was in a quandary,” a bemused Reddon told about 100 audience members at the Williamson Chamber’s September Women in Business luncheon. As a result, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration developed rules about astronauts getting hitched and space travel while pregnant, she added.

The Murfreesboro native, who flew on three space shuttle missions for a total of 30 days outside the earth’s atmosphere, has settled back in her home town with her husband, Robert “Hoot” Gibson, and family. That’s where Reddon’s dreams of space blossomed, when her father took her out to the yard to look up at Sputnik flying by in the night sky.

“I remember thinking that’s the beginning of something really important,” Reddon said. But, she added, “Nobody told little girls

that they could do that, too.” In the end, that didn’t matter.

Although she was on her way to a medical career, Reddon jumped at the chance in 1977 when NASA announced that women and minorities would be included in the next group of astronauts. In 1978 she was one of six females who entered the program.

“We were afraid they might wash us out, but NASA was very committed to having women astro-nauts,” she said, adding that they did sometimes feel a pushback from colleagues and others.

Reddon shared how she felt when she blasted off on her first flight in 1985.

“It is absolutely incredible. I can’t describe it,” she said, noting that it’s amazing to see everything begin to float once the capsule gets into orbit. It’s not “until you fly,” she added, that you really join the vaulted club.

“You’re there. You’ve made it to space,” she explained. “You’re a bona fide astronaut.”

Now a consultant in patient safety, quality of care and team

building in the health care industry, Reddon will publish a book next year about her experi-ences. She conceded that space travel is a “risky business” as she remembered the loss of the col-leagues and friends on the space

shuttle Challenger, which broke apart in 1986 shortly after takeoff. The seven crew members on board were lost.

“We always hope the number of landings equal the number of takeoffs,”

she said. “We always felt the benefits outweigh the risks.”

Not many people have the opportunity to be up there, looking down on “where history was made,” she said. The crew that cleans the space shuttle once it’s back on earth has noted that “there are an awful lot of nose prints on the windows,” she said. “It’s just incredible to see.”

The September Women in Business was presented by Williamson Medical Center. CABLE President Yolanda Harris-Jackson will be the guest speaker in October.


WOMEN IN BUSINESS

LUNCHEON Tuesday, Oct. 28

11:30 a.m.Brentwood United Methodist Church

JOIN US NEXT TIME!

Mike Coleman

Women in Business Chair Linda Hirsch, left, posed with the meeting speaker, former astronaut Rhea Seddon.

Leah Hayes, left, joined Susie Ryan and

Lisa Uiberall-Noble for a photo with the display for presenting sponsor

Williamson Medical Center in the background.


FRIDAY NOV. 77:30 A.M.

E | SPACES

YOUR SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE: FIRST FRIDAY

The Chamber welcomes Sen. Bob Corker

as the featured speaker

Due to space limitations, attendees will need to register at williamsonchamber.com.

REGISTRANTS ON THE WAITING LIST WILL BE NOTIFIED IF SPOTS OPEN UP.

The first-ever business expo organized by the countywide Chamber showcased 70 event sponsors, local businesses and food vendors on Sept. 25, as the sold-out exhibit space hummed with activity in Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin.

More than 300 attendees perused exhibit booths promot-ing a wide variety of goods and services, which were open from 4 p.m. to 7 p. m. after author and consultant Sarah Sladek presented a 3 p.m. keynote address in Jamison Hall about young adults in the workplace.

“We want to thank all the sponsors, exhibitors and volun-teers for making this a very suc-cessful and informative business expo,” said Meetings and Events Director Abby Bass. “The busi-ness community had indicated an interest in the Chamber doing this, and the fantastic participation certainly proved it is valued in the community.”

EXPO CELEBRATES WILLIAMSON BUSINESS

Williamson leads the state’s Inc. 5000 listMusic City had a lot to cele-

brate when the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private com-panies in America was released in August, but the biggest party really was just south of the Davidson County border.

Twenty-six of the companies – nearly a third of the 80 on the list from the state of Tennessee – are located in Williamson County. Twenty-one are located in Nashville.

“That is pretty amazing when you consider that our county accounts for only about 3 per-cent of the state’s population,” said Matt Largen, president and chief executive officer of Williamson, Inc., the Chamber and Economic Development.

Williamson County businesses took seven slots on the shorter Inc. 500 list, with Brentwood-based Entrada coming in as the fastest-

growing company in the state. A provider of health care technology related to electronic records, the company ranked 281 with a three-year growth rate of 1,628 percent. Two other Brentwood companies made the 500 cut – EHD Technologies and American Addiction Centers. Of the 26 Williamson County companies on the Inc. 5000 list, nine are in Brentwood, 16 are in Franklin – which includes Cool Springs – and one is in Thompson’s Station.

Largen said he believes the county’s unique offerings attract a range of dynamic businesses, from start-up entrepreneurs to large corporate headquarters.

“We have a highly educated and talented workforce, great public schools, opportunities for higher education and a wonderful quality of life,” he said. Low

taxes and minimal crime rates add to the mix, he added.

Mayor Rogers Anderson said creating and maintaining an envi-ronment that encourages busi-ness investment is the best thing he can do for Williamson County.

“Businesses large and small appreciate the fact that Williamson County is a great place to locate and grow a busi-ness,” he explained. “I spend time meeting with small and large businesses to make sure we are attracting the kind of talent they need while providing essen-tial services at a great value.”

The Inc. 5000 and 500 rank-ings, complied annually by Inc. magazine, are based on overall revenue growth over a three-year business period. The lists, with a snapshot of each business, are available at inc.com/inc5000.

l SEE RELATED STORY AND PHOTOS ON PAGE 4

Representing Inc. 5000 company EHD Corporation, Michael Claudio visited with Sladek and the Chamber’s Cindi Parmenter.

Lawanda Mason, left, and Cathy Holland repre-sented Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.

Mitch Kline and Maryann Stafford were on hand for Livability.

Ascend Federal Credit Union provided a popular caricature artist.

Lindsay Solomon, left, and Jennie Tatum described the work of Interior Design Services.

Matt Shorter with NovaCopy shared information about the company with attendees.

Mike Cook and Cayla Cook represented South Wind Apartments.

The Fifth Third Bank booth included representatives Dennis Stallings, left, Claudia Rose and David Emerson.

Holly Shelton shared the Williamson Medical Center story with expo attendees.

OCTOBER 2014 Vol. 16 Issue 10 in this ISSUE · OCTOBER 2014 Vol. 16 | Issue 10 PAGE 6 Student...

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