IN TULLAHOMA, painted murals brighten alleyways, sharing its history while offering a hopeful glimpse into the future. Welcoming storefronts invite neighbors and visitors to linger just a little longer. Children’s glee brightens the already colorful playgrounds. Even the sidewalks seem to come alive and encourage unity and friendship. Hope Nunley, the executive director of the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, is one of many leaders actively driving her vision forward. With each passing day, her vision for a stronger, more connected town grows clearer, and you can see it coming to fruition in the people and projects around her.
Nunley joined the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce in 2008 when she took her first steps as an ambassador. Little did she know that this modest beginning would set her on a path of transformation, not just for her career but for the future of Tullahoma itself.
“I started as an ambassador, served on the board of directors, and then in January 2017, I officially began as the executive director,” Nunley recounted. “At that time, we had 372 chamber members. Now, almost eight years later, we’re nearing 500 members, and we’ve added signature events that have become a part of the fabric of this town.”
Despite the growth in numbers, the chamber’s small team of three pours their hearts into everything they do.
“Our days are tighter and busier, but they fly by because of the role we get to play in Tullahoma. We get to welcome new people, celebrate our neighbors for their accomplishments, and be a part of the exciting growth that’s happening,” Nunley continued.
She is fully committed to keeping Tullahoma’s energy positive and welcoming. This is a town she truly cares about. She explained that one of the most compelling aspects of Tullahoma is the unity that holds the community together.
“The first thing I always start with is the people. We have an incredible community of amazing friends and neighbors. That’s what we constantly hear from others, too — it’s the people that make Tullahoma special,” she said.
As Tullahoma grows, Nunley takes pride in how the town has maintained its small-town feel while offering the amenities of a larger city.
“We have big-city amenities but with a small-town feel. It’s the perfect combination for an incredible community.”
One can see Tullahoma’s growth in its expanding chamber membership and the emerging opportunities that line the horizon. Nunley is especially excited about the future of the local education system and how it will equip the next generation of leaders.
“When I look out my window into downtown, I see so many opportunities for growth. We have incredible assets downtown, and there’s room for more. With [Motlow State Community College] and the University of Tennessee Space Institute, we’re educating the next generation who will bring fresh ideas to the table,” she said.
Nunley believes this influx of new energy will create innovative opportunities that Tullahoma has yet to imagine. She also admires Tullahoma’s public school system and the inspiring students who are already charting their own paths.
“It blows my mind to hear these teenagers talk about what they want to do and how they’ve already carved out a path to make it happen,” she said.
Reflecting on her own high school years, Nunley admitted, “At that age, I had no idea I’d be here today. The students here are truly incredible.”
However, one of Tullahoma’s biggest strengths is its innate ability to come together and pool its resources to support those in need.
“We have a large number of them [service organizations], and anyone can find something they’re passionate about and volunteer just one to three hours a month. It’s amazing how much you can give back by simply showing up.”
She is especially proud of organizations like the Kiwanis Club and initiatives like “5 Loaves 4 Kids,” which packs weekend meals for children who might otherwise go hungry. These efforts, she believes, reveal Tullahoma’s true identity — people not only seeing the need but stepping up to fill it.
Empathy and unity drive this community. Nunley sees it every day in the school food trucks that serve families during the summer and the many organizations working behind the scenes to make life a little brighter for those in dark places.
One of the most touching moments in her life and career came during her and her husband’s most vulnerable moments.
“We were expecting our first child, a daughter named Amelia, when we received the devastating news of her diagnosis with a 99% fatality rate,” Nunley shared. “During my labor at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, we were blessed to have Nurse Jenny Shelton by our side. She treated me not just as a patient but as if I were her own daughter.”
Two years later, when Nunley welcomed her perfectly healthy son, she was reunited with Jenny, and the tears they shared that day were tears of joy.
“We got to honor Jenny in 2023 when she won the DAISY Award, and it was such a special moment for us to celebrate her,” Nunley said.
Jenny’s empathy helped her through her darkest moments and reminded her how special her community was and is today.
Nunley also supports community outreach efforts outside of her professional career. She participates in numerous organizations, including Rotary and the Arnold Community Council.
“I always tell young professionals to find two things to focus on and do them really well. Don’t stretch yourself too thin, but find what you’re passionate about and give it your best,” she advised.
In Nunley’s eyes, the people, the community, and the mission to make Tullahoma a better place drive her daily.
“You see good and want to do good,” she said. “I just hope the work we’re doing here is infectious and that others are inspired to step up and serve.” GN
