New Chamber of Commerce CEO

After a three-month search, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce has chosen a new president and CEO. Ralph Schultz will take the helm of the chamber on November first. The previous president, Mike Neal, resigned in July.

Schultz’s entire career has been spent in non-profit management. He is currently president of Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. During his seven years there, attendance at the hands-on children’s museum has more than doubled.

Schultz says he sees his new position at the chamber as an opportunity to help the community as a whole.

“The mission of the chamber really excites me; it’s a mission of prosperity, it’s a mission of education, it’s a mission of economic development. If we do a good job as a chamber, then everyone in this community is going to benefit. That kind of broad opportunity is something that really appeals to me and really drove me to make this application.”

The chamber conducted a nationwide search for its president. About half of the 70 applicants were from other areas, many with experience leading chambers of commerce. But the Nashville chamber’s search committee voted unanimously to select Schultz, saying his vision and enthusiasm for the city set him apart.