CHAMBERS OF commerce boost local economies and strengthen communities. This past year, the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) stood out, earning the statewide 2025 Chamber of the Year award. This award was earned under the leadership of Hope Nunley, executive director since 2017. The ceremony was held at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference in Savannah, Tennessee.
“The biggest feeling I have would be gratitude. I’m deeply grateful to have the opportunity to serve in this role and for everyone who has contributed to make our organization what it is today,” Nunley said.
The nomination for this award came from a board member, Beverly Lee.
“This nomination covered so many things that we do here at the chamber, so many of our events and programs,” Nunley said. “Serving over 500 members with a staff of just three people is very impressive, especially with a community our size.”
The judges also noted the 70-plus events the chamber hosts annually, creating diverse opportunities for business connections and growth. One of the most compelling initiatives, Nunley said, was the Creating Educational Opportunities (CEO) program, which is a unique partnership with Tullahoma City Schools. Businesses partner with one or more schools for various events and programs, such as banks hosting Bank Day, business partners reading to classes of students, or having lunch with students at school. Local business leaders teach students how to correctly tie a tie and shake hands with eye contact. Clayton’s Shoe Store, a staple in Tullahoma for over a century, invites younger classes to learn to tie their shoes. The CEO program fosters deep community connections between businesses and local schools. These partnerships help meet classroom and student needs through unique experiences and fundraising efforts.
“The CEO program is intended to not only build relationships between the business community and our school system, but also to help fill in some of those gaps,” Nunley explained. “I think we all know that there are teachers who have had to dig into their own pockets in years past to provide things for their classrooms, and so this is meant to eliminate or alleviate some of that.”
Nunley credits the success of the CEO program to the multitude of people willing to work together to support local students.
“CEO is such a special program because of the variety of partners that contribute in their own way. It really elevated our nomination,” Nunley said.
Nunley, a Tullahoma resident for most of her life, has been involved with the chamber for decades, starting as a member, then an ambassador, and eventually joining the board of directors.
“I started working in Tullahoma as a young professional for Exchange Media Group when I was 20 years old,” Nunley said. “I grew my network through working for Exchange. That was actually how I became involved with the chamber. I became a chamber ambassador to network more, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally.”
She led the chamber through several monumental events, including navigating the 2020 pandemic.
“We made it through the global pandemic where we were seeing chambers close across the country or sell their buildings,” Nunley said. “We were very proud to come out on the other side of the pandemic, still very healthy and thriving.”
Nunley also led in 2021, when the chamber had the honor of celebrating its 100th anniversary, a month-long celebration filled with ribbon-cuttings, fundraisers, and a special member banquet.
The chamber excels at hosting community events, and one of its most cherished annual traditions is the Tullahoma Christmas Parade. Not only is it a chance for families and friends to celebrate together, but it is a group effort to bring businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations together to create incredible floats and promote their contributions to the city. Even local students play a pivotal role: Tullahoma’s public elementary students submit ideas for the Christmas parade theme, and the winning idea becomes that year’s theme. The winning school also earns a prime spot near the front of the parade for its float, making it an exciting event for the entire community.”
Nunley is quick to acknowledge that the Tullahoma chamber’s success is unequivocally a group effort that involves leaders, business owners, community members, and students.
“The recognition we’ve received in recent years is truly a testament to every single person who has contributed to this organization — every past president, every past and current employee, every past and present member, past and current board member, and past and current ambassador. Each person has given their time and energy to make the chamber better and better each year,” Nunley said. GN
