Chamber board announces new President

The Board of Directors of the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce has named Melanie Minter as President and CEO of the local chamber organization.

Minter, a Lebanon native, will take the helm effective Wednesday, January 28.

Minter has been very active in the Lebanon Chamber and most recently served as Vice-Chair of the Membership Committee.

“I am excited about this challenge and look forward to working with my board, office staff and some 920 members of the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce,” Minter stated early Tuesday morning soon after the chamber board approval.

John Bradshaw, current Chairman of the Board, called a special meeting of the board Tuesday morning to approve the recommendation for the hire from the search committee.

John B. Bryan, immediate past-chairman of the board headed up the search team.

“We began this process during the first quarter of 2014 and conducted a broad search for this position. We narrowed the 30 plus field of applicants down to five in mid-December and interviewed the finalist last Saturday. Melanie will do a great job and will hit the ground running by month end,” Bryan explained.

Bradshaw went on to say the committee was proud to hire someone local who possessed a heart for the chamber and its membership.  “We had applicants from as far as California to southern Florida. Our local applicants had more to offer and each had a unique interest in the job. Melanie possessed the characteristics we were looking for and had great knowledge of the inter-workings of the chamber. She will do a great job and I look forward to working with her this year and years to come,” he said.

Minter currently serves as Commercial and Fleet Sales Manager at Wilson County Motors, a position she has enjoyed for the past several years. “I appreciate the opportunity the Bone family gave me at Wilson County Motors.  They join me in my excitement as I take on this new role in my community. I am proud to go to work for the Chamber and carry on where Sue (Vanatta) has left off,” she added.

Minter replaces Vanatta after a 23 year career heading up the chamber.  Vanatta retired at year end and is enjoying an extended vacation in Florida with friends.

Minter will be formally introduced at the annual Chamber membership banquet on Thursday, February 5, at the Capital Theater in Lebanon.

Minter has vast retail management experience receiving numerous accolades for her achievements during her tenure in that field. She graduated Cum Laude from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1986 and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is the daughter of Linda and the late J.C.  McDearman of Lebanon.  She and her two daughters are members of the College Hills Church of Christ and they reside in Lebanon.