Contact
Clarksville Economic Development
25 Jefferson St. Suite 300, Clarksville, TN 37040
931-647-2331 | 800-530-2487 (toll free) | 931-645-1574 (fax)
James Chavez
jchavez@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4333
President & CEO of the Economic Development Council
James Chavez is the president and CEO of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council, a position he filled in October 2004. As CEO he is responsible for overall economic development within the community, through the initiatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, and Convention & Visitors Bureau. James began a successful career in economic and business development more than 19 years ago in Leadville, Colorado. He has served communities in Georgia and now in Clarksville, Tennessee. James has played a key role in the recruitment and expansion of projects resulting in more than $4 billion in capital investment. Most recently, he led local efforts to recruit Hemlock Semiconductor to Clarksville, Tennessee. The project’s $1.2 billion investment represents the largest initial investment in state history. In addition to economic development, he has significant experience with small business, entrepreneur development, and international trade. James serves in top leadership positions with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, and Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives. He is a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and Leadership Middle Tennessee, and locally, he serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA. James is a native of New Mexico. He has two children and he enjoys mountain biking, backpacking, and spending time with his family.
Shannon Green, CPA (Inactive)
sgreen@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4335
Vice President, Finance & Administration of the Economic Development Council
Shannon Green came to Clarksville by way of the Fort Campbell Army Post during his service with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He has over 15 years of accounting, administrative, and human resources experience with non-profit associations. Prior to his association with the Economic Development Council, he worked in a similar position with the Tennessee Medical Association in nearby Nashville. Shannon and his family are involved in their church, youth sports, and music.
Robin Burton
rburton@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4337
Vice President of Marketing and Communications of the Economic Development Council
Originally from the Atlanta area, Robin joined the Economic Development Council staff in the summer of 2010. After serving nearly four years in Spartanburg, SC where she worked as the Art Director for a promotional company, Robin now oversees all Marketing and Communication efforts by the Economic Development Council and its agencies. Robin is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in Journalism and has worked in the creative field throughout her career in the magazine, newspaper and promotional industries. She has experience working with national and local level clients in rebranding and marketing efforts. In her free time, Robin enjoys photography, design and spending time with her family.
Lisa Knight
lisak@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4336
Human Resources Manager of the Economic Development Council
Lisa is a graduate of Austin Peay State University. Before joining the Economic Development Council, she previously worked for Bardcor in nearby Guthrie, Kentucky, for twenty years. This human resource professional also multi-tasks in our accounting department as well as serving as an assistant to the President. Lisa enjoys shopping and spending time with her family.
Wendy Welch
graphics@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4338
Media Design Specialist of the Economic Development Council
Wendy is a graphic design guru, the woman behind the camera, and the person who makes our organization look good. And, even though she enjoyed art school in Arizona and playing in the desert for a few years, this Clarksville native eventually came home to start her career. Prior to joining the Economic Development Council, she worked for the Fort Campbell Courier, The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, and James Corlew Chevrolet-Cadillac-Mitsubishi. In her spare time, Wendy constructs furniture, gardens, and is a great chef.
Cortney Williamson
cwilliamson@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4331
Accounting & Development Assistant of the Economic Development Council
After studying English and Anthropology at MTSU in nearby Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cortney traveled across the country before finally settling in Jacksonville Beach, FL. While in Florida, she began her career in Human Resources and Accounting with Alluvion Staffing, Inc. After several years of living at the beach, this Clarksville native returned home to raise her family. Cortney worked in a similar capacity for a local attorney just prior to coming to work for the EDC. In her spare time, Cortney enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, and is very involved with youth sports and her church.
Melinda Shepard
melinda@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4341
Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce
Vice President of Economic Development
A lifelong resident of Clarksville-Montgomery County, Melinda Shepard serves as the Executive Director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce. She has worked for over 10 years at the Clarksville Chamber and in her role runs the day-to-day operations. She is a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and is currently in Leadership Middle Tennessee and is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management.
Denny Fry
denny@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4342
Membership Recruitment for the Chamber of Commerce
Denny joined the Chamber in late 2011, after spending the last several years working as a freelance graphic design and marketing professional. Originally from the St. Louis area, Denny moved to Tennessee with his family and attended Tennessee Tech. There he received his B.A. in English and Journalism which eventually led him to Knoxville, where he worked as the Internet and Marketing Manager for the retail chain Parafrog Airsoft. He brings an extensive knowledge of sales and marketing to the Chamber team. He and his wife moved to Clarksville in 2009 where she now works as an attorney.
Mark Hays
markh@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4339
Events Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce
Mark serves as the go to person for the Chamber's monthly and annual events. He is in charge of arranging guest speakers for the Chamber’s Power Breakfast, Women in Business and Lunch and Learn Series. He also helps coordinate functions such as the annual golf tournament and the Home and Garden Show. Mark began at the Chamber full time in the spring of 2010 after serving as an intern at the Economic Development Council. Mark also served a key role in the Aspire IV fundraising campaign. Mark has resideded in Clarksville for most of his life and is a graduate of Austin Peay State University with his degree in Marketing.
Yvonne Pickering
yvonnep@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4340
Military Affairs Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce
Born in North Carolina and resided in Fayetteville/Fort Bragg for the majority of her childhood, Yvonne Pickering has been associated with the military community her entire life. The daughter of a late Air Force veteran, her family moved to the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area from the Philippines. As a military spouse the Army moved her family to Vicenza, Italy in 1994 and then returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1997. In 1998 she moved to Clarksville. She became very involved in the Ft. Campbell and Special Operations community as a volunteer with the Family Readiness Program. Her volunteer work led to a position with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as the Family Programs Coordinator and the Family Readiness Support Assistant program. Yvonne has extensive knowledge of military programs and many years of experience working with military Families and Soldiers. She has been recognized in the Fort Campbell and Special Operations Community for her commitment to military families. She began working for the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Military and Government Affairs Coordinator in April 2010.
Theresa Harrington
TourDir@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4343
Executive Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau
Vice President of Economic Development
Theresa Harrington began her career with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1996. An alumna of Austin Peay State University, she received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. Theresa is also a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and Leadership Middle Tennessee. Her non-stop nature has Theresa involved in nearly every organization imaginable. She is a member and former Chairman of the Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (TACVB) and the Middle Tennessee Tourism Council. Theresa is actively involved as a member of the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), Nashville Attractions Coalition (NAC), Bank Travel, American Bus Association (ABA), Southeast Tourism Society (STS) and Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). Over the past ten years Theresa has worked with a multitude of sporting associations and sports events. Her success at recruiting is evident by her ability to continuously bring both regional and national sporting associations into Clarksville.
Doug Barber
dbarber@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4344
Special Events Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau
Doug Barber joined the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2003. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Austin Peay State University, he served as the Graphic Artist for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Board of Education. While employed with the school system he was given the opportunity to develop a program for developmentally disabled adults and became the first Director for the Smiles Center, which is now known as Progressive Directions. From there he worked the next 15 years at Austin Peay State University where he began his career as the Personnel Director, moved to Placement Director and then spent his last 8 years at the University as Director of Alumni Relations. Doug is a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and Leadership Middle Tennessee, and has served on each Board of Directors. He is a member of the International Festival & Events Association and the Southeast Association of Festival & Events Association. He is also a member of the Tennessee Association of Community Leaders and serving on the Board of Directors.
Jessica Goldberg
jessica@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4346
Events and Marketing Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jessica joined the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2008. After graduating from Ripon College in 2006, with a degree in both political science and religion she went off to North Carolina to work at one of the oldest churches on the East Coast as their Publications Coordinator. Once she got to Clarksville with her husband and Beagle, Snoopy, she took a time out and spent her days as a yoga instructor at a local gym. She spends her days creating ads, updating the Site and keeping up with social media as well as preparing for Clarksville’s next big event.
Channel Lemon
clemon@clarksville.tn.us | 800-530-2487 ext. 258
Customer Service Representative for the Convention & Visitors Bureau
Channel attended the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where she ran cross-country and track. She graduated with her B.S. in Sports Administration. Her career with the CVB began when she was an intern and continued until she became a full time employee in 2005. Her favorite time of year is the summer when the major events such as the AAU National Basketball Tournament and Kick-it-3v3 soccer tournament are in full swing. When she is not involved in some sort of competitive sporting event, Channel is chasing after her dog Marley, an ADHD Puggle.
Frances Manzitto
frances@clarksville.tn.us | 800-530-2487 ext. 231
Group Sales Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau
Frances Manzitto joined the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2000. While attending Trevecca Nazarene University, she started her career in tourism working in hotels. She did that for a number of years before joining the CVB. She is an active member of the National Tour Association (NTA), American Bus Association (ABA), Middle Tennessee Tourism Council, Travel Alliance Partners (TAP), and Nashville Attractions Coalition (NAC). Her primary focus is Group Tour and Convention sales, where she puts her creativity to the test, developing new things for groups to do every year.
Kevin Fee
kevin@clarksville.tn.us | 931-553-8467
Welcome Center Manager
Originally from East Tennessee, Kevin came to Clarksville to attend Austin Peay State University, where he graduated with a degree in broadcast media. During his time at Austin Peay, Kevin was active in helping grow the sports communication department. He also served as President of the APSU Chapter of the National Broadcasting Society during his last year in school. Kevin was also active in Sigma Chi fraternity, helping with philanthropic events such as Dance Marathon and Derby Days. During his free time, Kevin enjoys running in local races, reading, and watching as many sporting events as possible.
Mike Evans
mevans@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4348
Executive Director of the Industrial Development Board
Vice President of Economic Development
Mike Evans is the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, a position he has held since October 1999. As the Executive Director, he is responsible for recruiting new business to the area and marketing the Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park and Commerce Park, Central Tennessee’s Megasite. Mike also works extensively with existing industry on workforce training, expansion plans, and other needs. Mike is a graduate of Austin Peay State University where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. Prior to his work with the Economic Development Council, Mike had a successful 23-year career with the Zinc Plant as their Comptroller. Mike started his career in Clarksville over 30 years ago with the public accounting firm, Stone & Rudolph.
Emily Jones
ejones@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4334
Assistant Vice President of Economic Development
A Germantown, Tenn. native, Emily Jones landed in Clarksville because of a full academic scholarship offer from Austin Peay State University. Upon graduating with a B.A. in Communications in 2001, Emily began her career with the Economic Development Council as a Special Events Coordinator for the Convention & Visitors Bureau. In 2005, she was promoted to Events & Marketing Manager and in 2008, Emily switched to the business recruitment side of economic development as the Marketing & Job Specialist for the Industrial Development Board. In 2010, Emily was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Economic Development for the Industrial Development Board. Emily and her husband Josh reside in Cunningham with their daughter, Lainey.
Rod Kirk
rkirk@clarksville.tn.us | 931-245-4335
Assistant Vice President of Economic Development
Rod has worked in the Economic Development industry for 4 years including a 2 year stint with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and 2 years with the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for assisting in the recruitment of new industries and corporations to the Clarksville-Montgomery County area. He is married and has 2 daughters. Rod spends the majority of his free time with his family, but he also enjoys an occasional game of very poorly (as he says) played golf and hanging out on the water.
