LEADERSHIP FOR 2012

Cara Hicks, President

Occupation: EPB, Business Sales
Hometown: Trenton, GA

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Chattanooga boasts many reasons to live & work here: Outdoor beauty, growing downtown, innovative businesses & support for entrepreneurs in addition to an affordable cost of living. Southern hospitality and civic pride add to the tangible benefits making this city a great place to work & raise a family.

Josh Davis, Vice President

Occupation: InfoSystems, Marketing Communications Manager
Hometown: Damascus, VA

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Chattanooga has become an exciting place to live because of the natural beauty, vibrant arts and culture, and amazing people. There is a growing business startup community with lots of local resources and support. It seems like there is always something fun going on for people of all ages.

Tyler Spry, Financial Director

Occupation: Northwestern Mutual, Financial Representative
Hometown: Manchester, TN

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Chattanooga’s recent growth and development has created extensive opportunities and reasons to be excited about the future. Pair this with the geography and driven people, and it is easy to see why Chattanoogans take great pride in their city.

Evan Bissonette, Luncheon Chair

Occupation: Propex Operating Company, LLC, Marketing Manager
Hometown: South Bend, IN

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Chattanooga is a great place to live because it maintains a small town feel, yet pursues big city dreams. It is a progressive Southern city with a lot to offer, and it always seems to have the next big thing going for it. It also intelligently and artfully weaves in the natural beauty of Tennessee.

Bethany Chaffin, Membership Co-chair

Occupation: Virginia College School of Business and Health, Career Services Associate

I am a native Chattanoogan and graduate of Baylor School. I graduated from the University of Tennessee- Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. I returned to Chattanooga in Spring of 2009, and have been employed as a Career Servcies Associate at the Virginia College School of Business and Health since June 2009.

Elizabeth Crenshaw, Past President

Occupation: EPB, Strategic Research
Hometown: Columbia, SC

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Chattanooga is a great place to start out. I’ve been able to grow in my job, make great friends, and get involved in the community – there is so much opportunity here.

Maggie Hodges, PR Chair

Occupation: Full Media, Internet Marketing Analyst
Hometown: Monteagle, TN

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
The sky’s the limit in Chattanooga. With so many different groups and initiatives, Chattanooga offers young professionals an unlimited number of ways to get plugged in and stay connected to their communities. Whether through social, professional or civic engagements, Chattanooga offers something for everyone.

Christopher Murphy, Membership Co-chair

Occupation: TVA, Project Manager
Hometown: Port Washington, NY

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Well for me, it represents a city that isn’t to big that it’s bursting at the seems but yet at the same time is not to small where you feel there is nothing of interest going on. For me this city is a perfect blend of urban development and southern charm. The area is steadily growing and with that comes new business’s, opportunities, and friends.
I hope to see you soon at one of the YPAC events!

Adrienne Royer, Events Chair

Occupation: Southeast Tennessee Development District, Communications Specialist
Hometown: Chattanooga

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
Most mornings on my drive to the office, I marvel at the difference in Chattanooga compared to the city in the 80s and 90s. Growing up here, I never planned to come back after college. After a couple of stints away from the Scenic City, I realized Chattanooga has what no other city can offer. There’s a sense of community that you can’t find anywhere else. Chattanooga is one of the few places where neighbors go out of their way to help others. It’s also thrilling to live in a city that places an importance on technological advancements and the environment.
You can’t beat living in a place where you can get across town in 30 minutes, afford to pay your rent or mortgage and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

Julia Settles, Secretary

Occupation: Electric Power Board, Engineer
Hometown: Memphis, TN

Why is Chattanooga a great place to live and work?
I am a young professional transplant from Memphis, TN. I did my undergraduate work at UT-Chattanooga in Political Science and my graduate work at UT-Chattanooga in Engineering Management. I currently work at the Electric Power Board as an Engineer. My husband and I reside in GA however we both work & play in Chattanooga. We absolutely love what Chattanooga has transformed itself into.

Tripp Thurston, Corporate Sponsorship Chair

Occupation: FSG Bank, N.A., Special Assets Officer
Hometown: Atlanta, GA