Working for the betterment of the Blount County business community earned Blount Partnership Vice President Tammi Ford the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) Staff Member of the Year award. Ford was honored by TCCE President Lindsay Frilling during its annual summer conference in Union City, Tenn., Thursday evening.
The award recognizes an outstanding chamber professional who has helped advance the mission of the chamber and is seen as a role model in the community.
“On behalf of the Tennessee Chamber, we would like to congratulate Tammi Ford for being selected as the Tennessee Chamber Staff Member of the year,” said Frilling. “The Blount Partnership is truly one of the state’s premier organizations that sets the standard for others to follow. Tammi has been integral in TCCE for many years and it’s only fitting she receives this award in its second year of existence.”
Ford was evaluated on outstanding achievements, involvement in TCCE and other professional organizations, program development and community participation.
“I’m truly honored and surprised to receive this award by my peers,” said Ford. “There are so many people and volunteers that assist the chamber in accomplishing its goals, that it’s more than a singular award. I couldn’t be happier to bring this award back to Blount County and share with our staff and board members who really give me the support.”
“I believe working with the chamber means forging meaningful connections with the community. I encourage all our members and boards to facilitate relationship building to foster a genuine one-on-one connection. Once that rapport is built, the business will follow.”
Serving in her 31st year with the Blount Partnership and 24th with TCCE involvement, Ford led a historic transformation of the chamber when she took on the role of vice president in 2011, raising membership totals by more than five-fold while launching record-setting tiered membership events in 2012, 2016 and 2019.
As a current United Way of Blount County board member and Tennessee Achieves mentor, Ford is also a member of the Leadership Blount Class of 2003, active with the Blount County Community Action Agency – SMILES transportation program, and past board member Blount Children’s Advocacy Center, Kingdom Design Ministries.