Welcome New Members!

We are so honored that you have joined the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce!

Thank you so much,

Shelia

Jefferson Nail Bar

Ernie’s Package Store

Sublime K9 Training & Boarding, LLC

Rescue 180

Snowbird Mountain Coffee Co

Hometown Health Direct Primary Care

Sheds365

Matt Bradley

Sherwin Williams Paint Company

Premier Bookkeeping and Consulting Services, LLC

Heard and Held

Alex DeRusha

Southern Ground Boutique

The Bloom Foundation

Message from our President, Shelia Wiggins

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer

Attention all Chamber members!

Our PO Box will no longer be a valid mailing address for the Chamber going forward. We will be using our new office address as our mailing address so please send all correspondence here:

205 Milestone Commons, Suite 2

Dandridge, TN 37725

Thank you!

We’re also so excited to make our conference room available for Chamber members and people in the community! The cost to members will be $50 and non-members $100.

Please call the Chamber office to reserve the conference room at (865) 397-9642 or email mboudreau@jeffersoncountytennessee.com

Tennessee Small Business Development Center is hosting business classes at the Jefferson City Public Library!

The first class will be “How to Start & Grow a Business in Jefferson County” on March 24th from 1-3pm.

There will be additional classes through the year:

May 26th

July 28th

September 22nd

TSBDC will be available to meet with individual clients after the classes to provide one on one counseling and assistance, whether that is start up assistance, access to capital, marketing etc. To learn more about the services they provide, please visit their website https://tsbdc.org/

Leadership East Tennessee Announces New Executive Director

MARYVILLE, Tennessee – Leadership East Tennessee is ringing in the new year with new leadership.

The regional leadership program, which represents 16 East Tennessee counties, announced that Trevis Gardner began his role as executive director Jan. 1. Gardner is a Blount County resident and an alumnus of the organization’s 2018 class.

Leadership East Tennessee is a nonprofit leadership program that offers structured opportunities for leaders to connect, learn about key regional issues and build networks for collaboration across sectors.

Gardner succeeds Monty Ross, who retired at the end of last year after 12 years of service, including the past eight as executive director.

Scott Schroeder, who chaired the organization’s board of directors and search committee, said the decision to hire Gardner was unanimous.

“While we had some strong candidates, Trevis really impressed each and every one of us with his leadership skills, nonprofit experience and clear passion for our organization,” Schroeder said.

Gardner says he plans to bring a deep commitment to community engagement and regional collaboration to the role and views leadership as a lifelong journey. His first short term goal is to engage the class of 2026 with a responsibility of purpose and impact for their investment of time committed to the program and to their communities in supporting their development as leaders.

He adds that he intends to guide the class with a simple theme of: “Connect. Unite. Challenge.”

“I’m excited to learn from the incoming class, the alumni and the broader Leadership East Tennessee community,” Gardner said. “I’m committed to creating opportunities where people feel heard, valued and united in purpose.”

Leadership East Tennessee’s programs focus on providing a regional approach to addressing key issues affecting East Tennessee, promoting available resources to improve the region and developing recommendations for constructive action. Its curriculum includes monthly leadership classes and networking opportunities designed to strengthen cross-community understanding and collaboration.

Gardner says he aims to strengthen the network of nearly 800 alumni and support the incoming class as they become catalysts for positive change across the region.

“I believe in fostering meaningful relationships across sectors, listening deeply to diverse perspectives and cultivating leaders who are equipped to address the region’s most pressing challenges,” Gardner said.

Gardner retired in 2022 as vice president of operations for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority after 31 years of service. He later founded Blockhouse Services Group, a business and organizational advisory consulting firm, and has continued to volunteer and serve in leadership roles with area nonprofits.

He said he steps into the role with deep respect for the foundation established by previous leaders.

“The organization’s growth and impact are a testament to years of dedicated leadership,” Gardner said. “I’m committed to building upon that legacy with humility, gratitude and trust.”

Gardner added that he views himself as a steward of Leadership East Tennessee’s legacy and said his approach aligns closely with the organization’s mission to unite, understand and lead.

About Leadership East Tennessee:

Started in 1999, Leadership East Tennessee is a registered 501c3 with the mission of uniting existing and emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to increase their understanding of community issues, broaden their vision, and enhance their individual and collective ability to lead, while at all times championing its values of service, diversity, inclusion and openness to change.

Leadership East Tennessee represents the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union.

Please visit leadershipetn.com for more information.

Chamber Golf Classic – Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Legislative Luncheon – Thursday, July 30th, 2026

Jefferson County Sampler – Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

Jefferson City Public Library calendar

The Shepard Inn’s menu

Rental space for lease!

Located at 680 Suite A, East Meeting St, Dandridge, TN

Space includes Lobby area, 2 offices, Restroom, and storage closet

Water, Sewer, Gas and Electric is included.

12 month lease minimum at $1,500.00/month, with 1 month lease & damage deposit up front.

To view, call 865-607-3822

CARE 2026 Board Meeting Dates

Rescue Squad Building, Dandridge at 5:30pm

March 19

April 16

May 21

June 18

July 16

August 20

September 17

October 15

November 19

Tennova Healthcare’s Fourth Annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Will Support Local Communities by Fighting Hunger in East Tennessee

Jefferson City, TN (March 9, 2026) – Tennova Healthcare – Jefferson Memorial Hospital is working to fight hunger in the community by collecting peanut butter to donate to The Mobile Lifehouse. The fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive will run until March 20th with collection locations at Jefferson Memorial Hospital’s front registration desk. 

Tennova Healthcare collects peanut butter because it is one of the least donated items even though it is high in nutritional value and is shelf stable. 

“Every year, Tennova Healthcare makes it a priority to give back to our community, and Jars of Love is one of our favorite ways to show that we care,” said Shane Watson, CEO, Tennova Healthcare – Jefferson Memorial Hospital. “In our community, more than 213,900 East Tennesseans experience hunger and don’t have access to enough food, which can contribute to poor health. The Mobile Lifehouse is working to address hunger in our area, and we are proud to support their efforts, one jar of peanut butter at a time.” 

This year, Tennova Healthcare has a goal to collect more than 5,000 jars of peanut butter and other nut butters for local food banks and non-profits.

Mobile Lifehouse Ministries will have a free food distribution

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Starting at 9:00 am

Jefferson Middle School, 361 W Broadway Blvd, Jefferson City.

First come first serve.

Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies is a poverty relief ministry in partnership with the community. We provide shelter for the homeless (Samaritan House), a food pantry for the hungry, a clothing ministry, educational programs, and home repairs for those living in sub-standard conditions. Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies has been a vital part of the community for more than 41 years. Throughout his 19 years of service with Carson-Newman University, Dr. Tom Cronan blessed this ministry with his support and friendship.

On April 24th, 2026, Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies will host its twentieth annual Golf Classic in his memory at Patriot Hills Golf Club. 

7:30 a.m. Registration, 8:45 a.m. Welcome, 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

The Golf Classic will be a four-person scramble format. The four team members compete as a team for the lowest score. Each member will tee off and the best shot of the four is selected as the location for each member’s next shot. Process followed for each shot until hole is completed. Team records one score and moves to next hole. We will have 3 flights and will award prizes for the winners of each flight. We also have prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive.

Sponsors and golfers can register online or mail in their registration to:

511 Municipal Drive

Jefferson City, TN 37760

Email questions to amos@cn.edu or call 865-475-5611. 

Rural Medical Services is OPEN in Jefferson City!

We’re Open in JEFFERSON CITY!

We’re excited to announce the opening of our Jefferson City Clinic! Our friendly, professional staff is here to provide compassionate care for you and your family — we also offer bilingual services!

We accept ALL insurance plans, including TennCare.

Call now to schedule your new patient appointment to 865-471-5525

We are so happy to welcome Dr. Singh to the Tennova team!

Now OPEN and taking reservations!

Click here to visit The Lodge website!

Dena Watkins

New York Life agent

m (865) 806-9710

dfwatkins@ft.newyorklife.com

265 Brookview Centre Way

Suite 102

Knoxville, TN 37919

New York Life

Insurance Company

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

[865.397.9642] [www.jeffersoncountytennessee.com]