Chamber names new (and old) leader

SHELBY - Two hours after saying that selection of a new Chamber President "is getting close," Cleveland County Chamber Board Chair Steve Padgett sent out a press release announcing that former Cleveland County Chamber Executive Director Michael Chrisawn, will take over the post Sept. 15.
The North Carolina native, now serving in McMinnville, Tenn., headed the local Chamber from 1979 to 1983.
With more than 25 years' experience, Chrisawn has also headed Chambers in Union, S.C., Bessemer, Ala., Blacksburg, Va., and Roane County, Tenn.
"We are very pleased to have someone with such an extensive background in Chamber work. It is also especially rewarding to know he represents a good fit for our organization and for Cleveland County," Padgett said. "We gladly welcome Michael back to Cleveland County and look forward confidently to a stronger, more vibrant Chamber under his leadership."
During the regular August board meeting Tuesday, Padgett had touched briefly on the progress of finding a successor to previous Chamber President Stuart Gilbert, but made no indication that the announcement would come so soon.
Gilbert headed the Chamber for five years. He left in April to work with Hallelujah Acres continued development in the county. Padgett has assumed an active role in conducting Chamber business since that time.

Michael Chrisawn
Born and raised in Old Fort
University of North Carolina Asheville graduate
Bachelor's degree in economics
Vietnam veteran
Elder and Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church in McMinnville
President of McMinnville Rotary Club
Board member of Warren County Chapter of the American Red Cross
Former McMinnville alderman
Former president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives
Family: Wife, Lea, a public school music teacher, church choir director, storyteller and potter; two sons, Chuck and Andrew.

On the Web: http://www.clevelandchamber.org/

Check The Star online Wednesday and in print Thursday for complete coverage of the Aug. 19 regular board business.

BREAKING NEWS....

SHELBY - Two hours after saying that selection of a new Chamber President "is getting close," Cleveland County Chamber Board Chair Steve Padgett announced that former Cleveland County Chamber Executive Director Michael Chrisawn, now serving in McMinnville, Tenn., will take over the post Sept. 15.

The North Carolina native, now serving in McMinnville, Tenn., headed the local Chamber from 1979 to 1983.

More coverage soon, plus highlights of the August board session.

Cassie Tarpley