By John Balch
News-Leader staff
New Nashville Chamber of Commerce executive director Dena Tollett is already busy.
Tollett started her new job Monday morning and her enthusiasm is evident about the opportunity to “make a difference” in the town where she grew up.
Tollett is no stranger to the chamber. She has been involved for years, serving as board president in 2011, once being selected as Woman of the Year, and working and performing at the annual Stand Up America July 4 celebration.
“Everybody knows her,” said Tim Pinkerton, who Tollett is replacing, “which is a good thing.” Tollette agreed, “I think when I walk into somewhere, someone will know me or I’ll know somebody.”
Tollett comes to her new job after working 32 years in the Husqvarna corporate purchasing department. Following the closure of the Nashville plant, she was kept on and worked from home up until the first of this year when her position was officially terminated.
Her experience in the corporate world is something she hopes will help with her new job in the area of attracting corporate tenants and boosting local spending.
“I know a lot of people in industries,” Tollett said. “I was in purchasing for 32 years, I knew 400 suppliers. So, I hope to have an advantage there.”
Tollett said one of her main focuses will be the economic recovery of downtown where several buildings now sit vacant. She is also planning a hands-on membership drive and outreach to current members in a show of support.
“What is the chamber doing for you?” is a question she wants to get answered. “I want to personally go to every chamber member,” Tollett said about seeking answers.
“I think we’ve got some real opportunity here,” Tollett said. “So, I am going to get out and really push for our membership and then try to bring things to downtown.”
As part of the revitalization plan, Tollett and the chamber will continue their relationship with Developing Howard County, which formed in the wake of Husqvarna’s decision to close the Nashville plant and was instrumental in attracting CANTEX, which now occupies part of the old Husqvarna plant.
The annual Peach Blossom Festival is coming up May 2 and work is well underway on the July Stand Up event which will be headlined this year by Neil McCoy. Tollett said chamber activities – old and new – are also on her radar for possible makeovers.
“I think we need to evaluate some of our activities and maybe do some new ones that bring a fresher approach.” She noted that attendance for the Stand Up event has steadily dropped for years and she thinks maybe it’s time to re-evaluate.
“I think we will see how it goes this year and see if we make any money and what the attendance is,” she said, adding that “a new approach” may be needed to revitalized the once-popular event.
“I like to think outside the box on everything,” Tollett said, “maybe too much sometimes.”
After 32 years in a corporate setting, Tollett has vowed to make her new 20-hour a week job as stress-free as possible with a main goal of supporting the chamber and its members.
“This is going to be something I want to do and enjoy, but what I really want to do is make a difference.”
