Crossville Flashback: 2001 Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting features Cotton Ivy

Crossville Flashback: 2001 Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting features Cotton Ivy

“No community goes anywhere without a great Chamber of Commerce,” explained speaker Cotton Ivy, to the large crowd gathered last Friday evening for the Greater Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting.

Ivy, former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture and humorist and the featured speaker for Friday night’s dinner meeting added that it was obvious that Crossville and Cumberland County were going places.

Cotton Ivy speaks at the 2001 Chamber of Commerce annual meeting

“And nobody is retiring and going north!” quipped Ivy in reference to Cumberland County’s rapid growth, especially in the retirement age groups.

Concerning growth and community quality “Communication is the key,” continued Ivy. “And working together. People will look at this city on a hill and ask, ‘How do they do that?’ It is because you all keep working together,” Ivy answered his own question.

The Chamber’s annual meeting saw the passing of the gavel from outgoing Chairman of the Board Dr. Perk Thornton, to William Mayberry III who will serve as chairman for the coming year. Thornton was presented with several gifts including a golf club and his wife Bettye Thornton received roses.

In his remarks, Thornton said, “I’m really struck by a sense of history. Since the beginning of the year we’ve been celebrating our Centennial of our community. They say if you don’t learn from history that you are destined to repeat it.”

“Well,” Thornton concluded, “We have learned and we want to repeat it!”

The theme of the meeting was “A Centennial Salute to Industry” and numerous industries were recognized for their contributions to the community. Recognized industries and representatives included Ed Camera Jr. of Colinx, John Smith of Crossville Porcelain Stone USA, Sue Carroll of Dana Corporation, Bill Caruthers of Dana Corporation, Michael Dalton of Durable Products, John Willis of Elixer Industries, Larry Ebert of Flower’s Snack of Tennessee, Al Morrow of Manchester Tank & Equipment, Steve Rapisarda of MasterBrand Cabinets Inc., John Beck of Nakano Foods Inc., Pete Graham of Plateau Mat Co. Inc., and Roy Stone of TAP Publishing.

Also recognized for industry support services were John Bayless of Citizen’s Communications, Teddy Jones of Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Kim Hinch of USFIlter Operating Services and Bobby Randolph of Volunteer Energy Cooperative.

Councilman Gene Turner received a special Award of Excellence for his support of the Chamber. Turner was recognized for his exemplary management practices, personal accomplishments and active support of the economic progress of Crossville and Cumberland County. Such an award has only been presented three times in the past 15 years.

Outgoing members of the Chamber’s board of directors were acknowledged for their service to the community. They included Sue Carroll, Janice Hamby, Rob Harrison, Mike Dalton and Bill Oglesby.

Members of the Leadership Cumberland Class of 2001 received recognition plaques for their hard work. The group of current and potential community leaders spent many hours studying local government, the legal system, education, history, the media and health care. Members of the group included Cindy Cooper, Darren Gunter, Charlotte Houston, Robin Jernigan, Jerry Johnson, Becky Martin, Kelli Moore, James Perry, Sam Raper, Emmett Reed and Karen Strock.

A group of high school students spent three days participating in an intensive youth version of the program called Leadership Cumberland Youth Academy. The members included Jodie Burton, Andrew Hackett, Ryan Hardman Alyson Long, Angel Morgan, Jonathan Papaik, Emma Paquette, Amanda Reed, B. J. Riggs, David Safdie, Joshua Scott and Cami Vincent.