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The Greater Memphis Chamber has not one but three Ambassadors of the Month for May! Learn more about Sherita Goodman, Cynthia Hailey, and Fred R. DeMagistris below.

Sherita Goodman

Sherita Goodman is an Economic Development Representative at Memphis Light Gas & Water.

She works together with the Greater Memphis Chamber to attract, retain and expand businesses that create and retain jobs and investments for the city.

Sherita graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing, and completed the Barret School of Banking Graduate Banking Program at Christian Brothers University.

She enjoyed a 24-year Banking career, managing various Financial Institutions helping clients open accounts, process loans, and invest money.

Sherita was also employed with Operation HOPE as the Midwest Regional Vice President, opening several credit offices across the Midwest Region and overseeing coaches and ensuring effective delivery of credit programs that improved credit scores and decreased debt of clients.

Sherita is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Phi Lambda Omega Chapter, where she currently serves as the 2nd Vice President/Membership Chair.

She has always enjoyed math and helping people, especially when it comes to finance.

She is happily married to Wilbert Goodman.

She enjoys traveling, and has an expensive hobby of collecting luxury handbags and goods.

Cynthia Hailey

Cynthia Hailey is currently an Economic Development Representative at Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW).

Functioning in this role allows her to assist in the growth of Memphis.  “We need to educate people on the positive things related to our City, the negative spreads like wild fire and doesn’t need any help.” MLGW is a local power company providing electricity, gas and water to the City of Memphis and Shelby County TN.  She has been employed at MLGW for 17 years, she has served as an Accountant in the Management Accounting and Budget & Financial Planning departments. She is a graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, constantly learning, serving others, dancing, and exercising.

Mantra- You cannot remain in your comfort zone and continue to grow. 

Fred R. DeMagistris

Over the last 5+ years, Fred has successfully transitioned his vast experience in retail, hospitality management, and customer service into economic development positions attracting nearly $278M of new investment and creating more than 625 new employment opportunities for the residents of the Greater Memphis region. 

Fred was responsible for project management for local, national, and international companies delivering $18.9M in cost savings. Fred is particularly proud of his contributions to creating and implementing a COVID-19 small business assistance program that delivered $631,700 in aid to 112 businesses during the height of the pandemic.

He has held positions with Workforce Investment Network, EDGE, and the TN Small Business Development Center. Fred joined the Economic and Community Development team in December 2022.