Testimonials from Chamber Members

Updated: February 2012

• My family and I arrived in Tennessee in July 1994. I didn’t know a soul for 400 miles in any direction. I started Priority Management of East Tennessee in September 1994. I was honored to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors between July 1996 and June 1999. I owe a lot to the Chamber, its leadership and its members for their help in getting my business up and running. With their assistance, I was able to grow the company from zero to more than 5,000 clients (from Johnson City to Chattanooga and everywhere in between) by the time I sold it in early 2006. I wish the Chamber and all its current members continued success over the next 25 years and beyond. Jim O'Brien, past Chamber Board Member

• "Shortly after moving here from Mobile, Alabama, I heard about the Farragut Fall 5K and was very excited to learn that the race scheduled for September 23, 2000, would be held at Bob Leonard Park, within a mile of my home. I registered for that run and participated in subsequent ones through the one held on September 27, 2008. Over the years it became one of my favorite races. I think the race grew over the years because it was always well organized and it had a great course I liked the challenge of running the hills in the subdivision and then ending up in the park to the cheers of those who finished ahead of me and those who came out to support all runners. The sponsors were so generous with refreshments. Under a big tent were tables loaded with fruit, donuts, bagels, cookies, orange juice, water, etc. It was a welcome sight to see after a very exhausting run. Most importantly, I enjoyed the fellowship of other runners. The awards ceremony was very exciting. Everyone was happy for those who placed in the race and showed it by the applause for each person, whether first-, second- or third-place winner. I enjoyed getting to know the people involved with the sponsors. In the beginning it was Edward Jones who sponsored the race. Through that sponsorship, I had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with Wendy Schopp and Barbara Slaven. Then I had the pleasure of meeting Bettye Sisco and her associates through the sponsorship of the West Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. I will always cherish their encouragement and friendship. Now I just rejoice in the memory of those wonderful days when I was able to run and participate in races, especially the Farragut 5K. I hope the race continues to grow and be successful in the future. I encourage everyone who is able to get into running and participate in the races. The experience and that great feeling of well-being will be everlasting." Faye Eisenacher, a happy former Farragut 5K runner
• "I'd like to give a testimonial about the Chamber Luncheon with Hallerin Hilton Hill and Phillip Fulmer as the featured speakers. I have been a member of the Farragut West Knoxville Chamber of Commerce for 14 years. Over the course of the years I have participated in events offered by the Chamber in varying degrees. Due to my increased participation in my local dental society, I have not attended many Chamber events over the past 5 years. Since the Chamber Lunch was held on a Friday a few weeks ago, I was able to make it. What a fantastic meeting! My table mates were all very friendly and nice, the food was good, the facilities were nice, and the program was very entertaining. I particularily enjoyed the format used for the speakers. Each one had a few minutes of the floor for themselves and the remainder of the time Hallerin Hill did what he does best, he interviewed Coach Fulmer and took questions from the audience. Both men took their time prior to answering the questions and as a result their responses were genuine and sincere. I commend our Chamber President, Bettye Sisco, for keeping the meeting moving along. Her decision to use the interview format was a good one. Keep up the good work!" Susan Orwick-Barnes DDS
• "East Tennessee radio/television personality Hallerin Hilton Hill and former University of Tennessee Football head coach Phillip Fulmer exceeded all of my expectations with their charismatic insightful interview style public speaking luncheon held at Rothchild's Catering & Conference Center on Friday, August 26th. They conversed with the audience about how Fulmer's experience coaching for the Vols taught him valuable lessons for his current business endeavors. Giving your employees the proper place to address concerns and make suggestions, creating a positive work environment, and displaying the values you want your employees & business to represent were just a few of the topics Fulmer and Hill addressed. Needless to say, by the end of my lunch I was definitely a born again Phillip Fulmer fan." Leslie Firestine, Financial Services Associate, Prudential Financial
• "I could count on my fingers the number of Farragut West Knox Chamber networking events I've attended since recently joining. But I have already gotten great traction among other chamber members and businesses. I've found the FWKC to be a great context to meet people and grow my business and would recommend getting involved to anyone desiring the same." Bill Piper, Claris Networks
• "Dear Ms. Sisco, Thank you very much for the new member orientation get together this morning. While I was not able to stay very long, in the time I was there I could see how well people reached out to make the new members welcome. That says something about the leadership of this chamber. We at Cobblestone look forward to being an active member of the Farragut West Knox County Chamber of Commerce. Thank you again for a terrific event." Michael D. Barnes, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Cobblestone Entertainment and LBS Cobblestone
• "Thank you for a wonderful race on Saturday. It was one of the best ones I have been to this far." A.G., participant in 2010 Farragut Fall 5k