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It’s rare to find Kristi Haulsee, Mandy Senn, Constance Washington and Christie Kelly all in the Chamber building at the same time. This Chamber outreach foursome spends time all over town as they plan, deliver and attend programs benefiting the Chamber’s member-investors.
“The member-investor services department has a big job—attracting and retaining the Chamber’s membership,” says Haulsee, department vice president. “My duties range from joining the other senior managers in determining the Chamber’s response to major business issues to developing member-investor benefits, like the new Business Building Blocks seminars and the Quick Connect networking sessions.”
Haulsee works diligently at cementing relationships with members over the phone, by email and in face-to-face meetings. “Last year we hosted over 160 events with more than 11,000 attendees,” she says. “That gave us many opportunities to make personal contact with our members and prospective members.” Highlights of the department’s successes in 2007 are outlined on Page 19. Others include:
- Handling publicity and programming for more than 70 ribbon-cuttings and ground-breakings.
- Spotlighting more than 240 new member-investors at monthly networking events.
- Maintaining contact with more than 1,400 member-investors through the Chamber Ambassadors.
Clearly Haulsee is an accomplished multi-tasker, whose immaculate desk belies her many duties. A graduate of Appalachian State University, Haulsee learned to juggle jobs at the chamber in her hometown, Kingsport, TN, where she directed member services and communications.
It’s no surprise to anyone to discover that both Haulsee and Senn are former cheerleaders who now apply their energy and enthusiasm to Chamber projects.
As member relations manager, Senn oversees the Chamber’s major events, maintains the Chamber Champions sponsorship program and manages the Chamber Ambassadors – volunteers who act as liaison between the Chamber and its members.
The Chamber’s point woman on member retention, Senn spends much of her mornings calling on members and sounding them out on ways to make their membership more valuable.
“We have such a great business community here,” says the affable Alabama native. “And it’s very rewarding to work with people from all types of industries and partner with them in making their businesses even more successful.”
Senn came to the Chamber five years ago as a communications and membership intern from Troy University. She joined the staff after graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism and public relations.
Another member services staffer appreciated for her patient and personable nature, Washington started working at the Chamber in minority affairs 35 years ago. Now, as councils director, she manages the 11 area councils that form the organizing structure for the Chamber’s membership.
“Each council serves the needs of its members with its own board, strategic plan, annual budget, programs and initiatives,” says Washington, a South Carolina native. “But they all present speakers, sponsor events and conduct projects that benefit the businesses, schools and quality of life in their communities.”
In recent years Washington has witnessed the expansion of councils in Eastgate/Ridgeside, Soddy-Daisy and Enterprise Gateway in the Highway 58 area. She worked with the North Chattanooga Council to sustain northshore commercial activity during construction projects, and she’s supported the Downtown Council’s activities to revitalize business in the central city district.
It’s up to Christie Kelly, the member services coordinator, to handle ribbon cuttings, AM Networking and Business After Hours programs. She’s also responsible for the myriad of details – from choosing the menu to checking the microphone – at the Chamber’s five major annual events, now averaging 1,000 attendees.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of a new business owner’s big opening day,” she says. “And it’s rewarding to help bring about a large and festive celebration that calls attention to the vital role the Chamber plays in this community.”
After working for the Catoosa County Chamber, Kelly came to the Chattanooga Area Chamber as coordinator of the Chattanooga Can Do economic development campaign. When that temporary assignment ended, Kelly, who had proven herself an able team player, was asked to join the member-investor services department.
The northwest Georgia native received a degree in computer networking from Northwestern Technical College. “Once I got out of college, I realized I was more interested in networking with people,” she says with a laugh. “I love meeting new people and helping businesspeople make new contacts.”
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