Get to Know Our People
Our team is here to meet the growth needs of our region and your business.
Introducing Our Team
Executive Team
Ted Townsend
Ted Townsend
President & CEOFavorite Memphis Grizzlies player:
Zach Randolph (retired)
Favorite thing to do with guests:
Take walks in South Main
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Play tourist in Memphis
Commute-to-work time:
5 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2020
Contact Ted Townsend for:
If you’re seeking to fill your “Memphis Cup,” reach out and let’s have a conversation that will change the way you view the world through the prism of a region transformed … a Greater Memphis.
Elisa Mitchel
Elisa Mitchel
Executive AssistantFavorite Memphis green space?:
Shelby Farms Park
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Capital Grille
Favorite Grizzlies Player?
Jarren Jackson
Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2024
Contact Elisa Mitchel to:
connect with Ted Townsend, President/CEO
Chairman’s Circle
Nancy Coffee
Nancy Coffee
Senior Vice President, Chairman's CircleFavorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Collage Dance Collective
Favorite Memphis redevelopment/re-use:
The Greenline – a former railroad line now cyclists’ paradise
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Central Gardens
Commute-to-work time:
8 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2019
Contact Nancy Coffee for:
Getting involved in our relentless pursuit of prosperity for all.
Lisa Lovell
Lisa Lovell
Senior Director, Chairman’s Circle EngagementFavorite Memphis restaurant:
The BBQ Shop
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Tie: River Arts Festival and Soul of the City Tour at Elmwood Cemetery
Favorite home-grown business:
Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies
Commute-to-work time:
40 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2020
Contact Lisa Lovell for:
Learning how to engage in the work of the Chairman’s Circle.
Communications & Marketing
Amy Daniels
Amy Daniels
Chief Communications OfficerFavorite Memphis restaurant:
Felicia Suzanne’s
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Graceland
Favorite thing to do on your day off:
Love spending time with my family, walking my dog Lucy, and shopping!
Favorite thing to do with out-of-town guests:
Take them to The Peabody Memphis to see the ducks
Year I started at the Chamber:
1996
Contact Amy Daniels for:
Ways you can tell your story
Terri Bosby
Terri Bosby
Director, Investor EngagementFavorite Memphis song:
“Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis Grizzlies
Favorite home-grown business:
Rocking Nutrition
Favorite Memphis Grizzlies player:
Desmond Bane
Year I started at the Chamber:
2016
Contact Terri Bosby for:
Grand openings, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, anniversaries — we do it all!
Taylor Ann Carpenter
Taylor Ann Carpenter
Manager, Content CreationContact Taylor Ann Carpenter
Tunga Lee
Tunga Lee
Director, EventsFavorite Memphis Grizzlies player:
Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Spend quality time with family
Favorite Memphis green space:
Shelby Farms Park
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
1999
Contact Tunga Lee for:
Chamber events or membership.
Patricia McKinney
Patricia McKinney
Director, Small Business & Member ProgrammingFavorite Memphis neighborhood:
Whitehaven
Favorite Memphis song:
“Green Onions” by Booker T. and the M.G.’s
Favorite Memphis green space:
Shelby Farms Park
Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2016
Contact Patricia McKinney for:
Getting plugged into the Chamber’s Small Business and Women’s Business Councils.
Diamond Young
Diamond Young
Director, MarketingFavorite place to grab a drink:
Inkwell
Favorite Memphis song:
“That’s What’s Up” by Yo Gotti
Favorite Memphis redevelopment or re-use:
Central Station Hotel
Commute-to-work time:
10 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2022
Contact Diamond Young for:
Marketing partnerships
Administration
Ted Ferris
Ted Ferris
Senior Vice President & Chief Administration OfficerFavorite place in Memphis to grab a drink:
The Peabody Memphis lobby bar
Favorite thing to do on your day off:
Ride or run trails
Favorite Memphis greenspace:
Herb Parsons Lake
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Harbor Town
Year I started at the Chamber:
2006
Contact Ted Ferris for:
Help with anything! I can either provide you an answer or point you in the right direction
Natalie Mitchell
Natalie Mitchell
ReceptionistFavorite Memphis barbecue:
A&R BBQ on Elvis Presley Blvd.
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Midtown
Favorite home-grown business:
Jack Pirtle’s Chicken
Commute-to-work time:
12 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2023
Contact Natalie Mitchell for:
Finding anyone at the Chamber. I will surely put your call through!
Leon Pattman
Leon Pattman
Senior Director of Finance and ComplianceFavorite Memphis barbecue:
Cozy Corner
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Cordova
Favorite Memphis song:
Bar-Kay’s hits
Favorite thing to do on your day of:
12 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2024
Contact Leon Pattman for:
Assistance with the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act local programs.
Rob Recker
Rob Recker
President, Chamber Benefits, Inc.Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis Opera Company
Favorite place to grab a drink:
The Juice Bar
Commute-to-work time:
I measure my commute in steps
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Robert Recker for:
Reducing your business’s essential expenses.
Quintin Robinson
Quintin Robinson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & OperationsContact Quintin Robinson
DeQuanda Smith
DeQuanda Smith
Senior Director, Sponsorship SalesFavorite place in Memphis to grab a drink:
Coastal Fish Co.
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Soul Fish
Favorite home-grown Memphis business:
The Reaves Law Firm
Favorite thing to do on your day off:
Listen to music and have wine on the back patio
Year I started at the Chamber:
2018
Contact DeQuanda Smith for:
Winning strategies and solutions that align with your company’s mission, vision, and goals while elevating your brand and increasing market position.
Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart
Vice President, Finance & AdministrationFavorite Memphis barbecue:
Central BBQ
Favorite place in Memphis to grab a drink:
Silly Goose
Memphis tap water or bottled water:
Tap
The one place I take out-of-town guests:
Bass Pro Shops and Central BBQ
Year I started at the Chamber:
2005
Contact Chris Stewart for:
Information about your Chamber membership or becoming a Chamber member!
Membership
Blake Payne
Blake Payne
Membership Sales ManagerFavorite Memphis barbecue place:
Bain Barbeque
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Cooper-Young
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Anything DIY
Commute-to-work time:
35 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Blake Payne for:
Chamber membership.
Leland Burress, III
Leland Burress, III
Senior Membership Account ExecutiveFavorite place to grab a drink:
South of Beale (SOB)
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Sage
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Frayser
Commute-to-work time:
40 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Leland Buress III for:
Chamber membership.
Daniel Hill
Daniel Hill
Membership Account ExecutiveFavorite home-grown Memphis business?:
Maggies’s Pharm
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
The Liquor Store
Favorite thing to do on your day off?:
Spend time with my husband on one of our many adventures!
Memphis sunrise or Memphis Sunset?:
Sunrise
Year I started at the Chamber:
2025
Contact Daniel Hill for:
Chamber membership.
Anita Heros
Anita Heros
Membership Account ExecutiveFavorite home-grown Memphis business?:
Maggies’s Pharm
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Pete and Sam’s
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity?
St. Jude Marathon Weekend
Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2024
Contact Anita Heros for:
Chamber membership.
Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith
Membership Account ExecutiveFavorite Memphis Cultural attraction or activity:
Beale Street & Mudd Island
Favorite home-grown business:
Gus’s Fried Chicken
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Travel
Commute-to-work time:
37 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2024
Contact Brandon Smith for:
Entertainment and Events
Vera Terrell
Vera Terrell
Membership Account ExecutiveFavorite Memphis green space:
Shelby Farms Park
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
The Mississippi River
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Fitness and relaxation
Commute-to-work time:
20 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Vera E. Terrell for:
Chamber membership.
Economic Development
Gwyn Fisher
Gwyn Fisher
Chief Economic Development OfficerFavorite Memphis re-use or re-development:
Crosstown Concourse
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Overton Square/Overton Park
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Enjoy a beautiful Memphis sunset on the river
Commute-to-work time:
8 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2022
Contact Gwyn Fisher for:
Anything related to doing business in the Digital Delta or throughout the Memphis region, and to learn about our shovel-ready sites or take a community tour.
Raminder Lotay
Raminder Lotay
Business Development ConsultantFavorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity?:
Crosstown Concourse
Favorite Grizzlies Player:
Mike Conley
Memphis sunrise or Memphis Sunset?
Sunset
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2025
Contact Raminder Lotay for:
Economic development info, site selection, or have questions about Memphis.
Jeanette Jones
Jeanette Jones
Director, Existing Business & Manufacturing Industry CouncilFavorite Memphis barbecue:
Cozy Corner
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Cotton Plant Grove
Favorite thing to do on your day off:
Binge watch Netflix
Tigers football season or Tigers basketball season?
Tigers Basketball
Year I started at the Chamber:
2019
Contact Jeanette Jones for:
Contact me if you are looking to grow the footprint of your business in Memphis.
Susan Hadley Maynor
Susan Hadley Maynor
Vice President, Product Development & RegionalismFavorite Memphis barbecue place:
Rendezvous
Favorite Memphis green space:
Elmwood Cemetery
Favorite Memphis neighborhood:
Downtown
Commute-to-work time:
3 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2006
Contact Susan Hadley Maynor for:
Looking for industrial sites in the Memphis MSA.
Tecora Murray
Tecora Murray
Executive Director, Greater Memphis Economic Research Group (GMERG)Favorite thing to do with guests:
Take them for barbecue and then downtown for a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. I also take them out to Shelby Farms Park for paddle boarding.
Favorite Memphis Grizzlies player:
Mike Conley
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
Loflin Yard
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2022
Contact Tecora Murray for:
Insights, guidance, or solutions in economic development, labor market trends, or strategic planning for business growth and expansion.
Abby Latture
Abby Latture
Economic Development Research Analyst, Greater Memphis Economic Research Group (GMERG)Favorite place to grab a drink:
Barware
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Yoga classes around the community
Favorite home-grown business:
Silk n Honey Boutique
Commute-to-work time:
10 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2020
Contact Abby Lature for:
Economic development information.
MacKenzie Stonis
MacKenzie Stonis
Economic Research Analyst, Greater Memphis Economic Research Group (GMERG)Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Indie Memphis Film Fest
Favorite Memphis redevelopment/re-use:
Crosstown Concourse
Favorite Memphis Grizzlies player:
Zach Randolph (retired)
Commute-to-work time:
15 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact MacKenzie Stonis for:
Data on all the things! Industry information, workforce data benchmarking, economic impact studies – no inquiry is too big or too small.
Donnell Word
Donnell Word
Director, Economic DevelopmentFavorite Memphis restaurant:
Coletta’s Italian Restaurants
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Favorite home-grown business:
Memphis Record Pressing
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2016
Contact Donnell Word for:
Information about locating your business in Memphis.
Eldridge Thompson
Eldridge Thompson
Existing Business ConsultantFavorite Memphis Cultural attraction or activity:
Blues Music
Favorite home-grown business:
Peabody Memphis
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Attend a sports event
Commute-to-work time:
20 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2024
Contact Eldridge Thompson for:
All of the above
Global Business Development
Troy Parkes
Troy Parkes
Senior Vice President, Global Business DevelopmentFavorite Memphis restaurant:
Catherine & Mary’s
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum
Favorite Memphis redevelopment/re-use:
The Arrive Hotel
Commute-to-work time:
35 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2022
Contact Troy Parkes for:
Site selection, relocation to Memphis, economic development information.
Government Affairs
Bobby White
Bobby White
Chief Government Affairs OfficerFavorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Live music
Favorite Memphis song:
“Love and Happiness” by Al Green
Favorite thing to do with guests:
Show them Mason Temple and tell them the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering one of the most iconic speeches of all time from the church’s pulpit the night before his assassination
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2019
Contact Bobby White for:
Helping to solve problems that involve government or the community.
Takeyshia Johnson
Takeyshia Johnson
Director, Government Affairs and AdvocacyWhat is your favorite place in Memphis to grab a drink?:
The Peabody
Favorite Memphis restaurant:
The Four Way
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity?
The Riverfront
Favorite thing to do on your day off?
Make candles
Year I started at the Chamber:
2025
Contact Takeyshia Johnson to:
Advance business and community interests through policy advocacy, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic guidance to drive growth and strengthen community engagement in Greater Memphis.
Courtney Blanchard
Courtney Blanchard
Director, Public AffairsFavorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
Overton Park Shell
Favorite home-grown business:
Wiseacre
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Support my local restaurants and shops
Commute-to-work time:
12 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Courtney Blanchard for:
Guidance in Chamber initiatives, strategic planning, and navigating business development and community engagement for success.
Workforce Development
Amity Schuyler
Amity Schuyler
Chief Innovation Officer & Senior Vice President, Workforce DevelopmentFavorite Memphis barbecue:
It’s not that simple! Loflin Yard for brisket, Rendezvous for ribs, Central BBQ for pork and the banana pudding.
Favorite Memphis green space:
Tom Lee Park
Favorite Memphis cultural attraction or activity:
National Civil Rights Museum
Commute-to-work time:
4 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2021
Contact Amity Schuyler for:
Workforce, workforce, workforce! And if you want to hear what it’s like to work and play in Memphis, I’ll coach you in!
Sondra Howell
Sondra Howell
Vice President, Community Development & Executive Director WorkforceFavorite thing to do with guests:
Live music and good food places
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Attend a local festival or farmer’s market
Favorite place to grab a drink:
Lafayette’s
Commute-to-work time:
30 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2018
Contact Sondra Howell for:
Workforce support and community partnerships.
Rosemary Konadu
Rosemary Konadu
University of Memphis Graduate Fellow InternFavorite place in Memphis to grab a drink:
Rambling Joe’s
Favorite cultural attraction or activity:
Memphis in May
Favorite thing to do on your day off:
Relax and listen to podcasts
Commute-to-work time:
20 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2014
Contact Rosemary Konadu for:
Project coordination or management info
Lilliam Baez
Lilliam Baez
Director, US Commercial Service MemphisFavorite Memphis Cultural attraction or activity:
Peabody Hotel
Favorite home-grown business:
Buff City Soap
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Spend the day at Shelby Farms Park
Commute-to-work time:
25 minutes
Year I started at the Chamber:
2020
Contact Lilliam Baez for:
Export assistance