New Chamber executive named

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Oct. 9, 2008)—Gary Farlow will assume the responsibilities of president and chief executive officer for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 1.

Farlow accepts the position vacated by the retirement of Jerry Bohannon on July 31. The announcement comes after an intensive national search.

“When I look at all the exciting things that are happening or are about to happen in our community and see the role of the Chamber in all of this, it was critical that we find an outstanding individual to follow the previous CEO of our chamber, Jerry Bohannon,” said Dr. Carl Hite, president of Cleveland State Community College, who chaired the search committee. “I do want to thank all of the people who were involved in the search but in particular the members of the search committee—Cameron Fisher, Tom Wheeler, Brenda Lawson, Bob Hardin and Allison Pierce.”

Cameron Fisher, chairman of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce board of directors and a member of the selection committee said that Gary Farlow’s leadership “will come at a critical time for our region. For the past six years he has been an advocate for the economic growth of Cleveland and Bradley County. He has cultivated vital relationships with key players, not just locally, but in the state and around the globe. His promotion to president of the Chamber can only enhance his ability to negotiate and be a positive influence as we enter an uncharted but exciting economic future.”

Hite noted, “The search process was thorough, and a great deal of time was spent in gathering information on all of the candidates. We had an opportunity to compare Gary with other CEOs of chambers, and he came out on top. Because of the impact of this Chamber in Cleveland and Bradley County, it was critical we hire the best, and I think we did that."

Hite noted that Farlow brings “years of experience to our Chamber, as well as his stellar record since he joined the staff six years ago.” The new Chamber executive steps into the position with more than 28 years of diversified planning experience, including 19 years of Chamber management. He currently serves as vice president for economic development for the local Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since 2002. As economic development vice president, Farlow provided staff support to the Chamber’s 33-member Economic Development Council and was responsible for the formation and staffing of the joint city and county Bradley/Cleveland Industrial Development Board.

He has been responsible for all aspects of the Chamber’s economic development program and budget, including industry recruiting and existing industry services. Among new industry recruits are the Eastern Lighting Distribution Center, the first tenant in the Hiwassee River Industrial Park and the $12 million Canadian-owned Starplex Scientific manufacturing facility in the Cleveland/Bradley Industrial Park.

He is already slated to participate in the trade mission to Germany with Gov. Phil Bredesen to meet with suppliers for Volkswagen.

“As the incoming chairman of the board for the Chamber, I am looking forward to working with Gary and the chamber and this community as we move forward in a very exciting time in the history of our community,” Hite added.

Farlow quickly acknowledged the confidence of the Chamber’s board of directors indicated by the decision.

“I appreciate the confidence placed in me by the search committee and the board of directors,” he said. “I am thrilled to accept this new position with the Chamber, especially at this exciting time in our community’s history.”

He continued, “It has been a privilege to serve the Chamber and this community the past six years, and I look forward to serving our membership and Cleveland and Bradley County in this new capacity. We have an outstanding staff, strong leadership on the board and on our various committees, a committed group of volunteers, and dedicated community leaders. I believe we can reach new goals by working together.”

Before coming to Cleveland six years ago, Farlow was president of the Greene County (Tenn.) Partnership where he reported to a 45-member board of directors with a 10-member executive committee. During his tenure, he instituted a formalized economic development marketing plan and an existing industry services program, introduced a newly organized Chamber Ambassadors program, and formed a new Tourism Task Force charged with developing and implementing a tourism marketing plan.

Prior to presiding over the Green County Partnership, the new CEO was executive vice president for industrial development for the Blount County (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce. While there, he administered the $1.4 million budget and finances of the Industrial Development Board; developed, managed and marketed five public industrial parks; worked with the board’s attorney on leases, land sales agreements and other legal documents; and other related duties.

In addition, he participated in industrial recruitment throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Asia via trade shows, trade missions and advertising with Tennessee’s Resource Valley. He has extensive experience with a wide range of federal, state and regional industrial grant and loan programs.

Before becoming executive vice president of industrial development, Farlow served Blount County as director of planning for their Planning Commission and director of the Blount County Technology Corridor Development Authority.

Farlow, a certified economic developer, holds a master’s degree in planning from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in geography and regional planning from Salisbury (Md.) State University. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and Leadership Cleveland. The new CEO also has completed continuing education studies in AEDC Back Office Industry Attraction, AEDC Working With Foreign Prospects, NDC Economic Development Financing, NDC Real Estate Financing and CDFA IRB Financing.

His current professional affiliations include membership in the American Economic Development Council and Tennessee Economic Development Council.

Locally, he serves on the boards of MainStreet Cleveland and Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Cleveland. He volunteers with United Way of Bradley County and Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region. He is also a member of Kiwanis of Cleveland and is a Vestry member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Farlow and his wife, Sandy, a teacher at Cleveland Middle School, have two children: Bryan, who lives in Cleveland, and Claire, who lives in Eugene, Ore., with her husband, Robert Sperry.

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