Author: jmuir

The Dialogue with Charity Patterson

Posted on December 22, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Charity Patterson

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 240th installment visiting with Charity Patterson, owner of Divine Beauty Hair and Nail Salon which offers hair and nail care need for men, women, and children.

Who has helped guide you in your career? My co-workers Donna Kimbrell and Donna Reed have always been by my side through all of my 30 years in the industry. Always pushing me to continue the trade and there anytime I have questions or concerns. My biggest supporter are my clients without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Describe your customers? My customers are amazing and not just customers, they are family. If they ever need anything all they have to do is call we are a community and we help each other.

What are three things you wish you knew when you started? Long-term commitment, patience, and financial planning.

What do you enjoy most about your business? I love the family that I have in this community and the support that they show to me every single day.

RT Lodge welcomes Kelley Harris as general manager

Posted on December 11, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Kelley Harris RT Lodge general manager

RT Lodge announced the retirement of General Manager Gary Doyle, whose leadership has shaped the property for more than two decades. Doyle will remain on RT Lodge’s board of directors but will pass the role of general manager to seasoned hospitality executive and Blount County native Kelley Harris at the end of this month.

RT Lodge, an approachable luxury retreat in Maryville, Tennessee, offers cozy overnight accommodations, MICHELIN Recommended fine dining at The Restaurant at RT Lodge, creative cocktails in the Morningside Room, full-service Carriage House day spa and distinctive meeting spaces. It is located only minutes away from McGhee Tyson Airport, metropolitan Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Doyle joined RT Lodge in 2004 after an already distinguished career that included serving more than 10 years as innkeeper and manager at Blackberry Farm during its formative years in the 1980s and early 1990s. Later, Doyle opened and operated the beloved Bistro by the Tracks. Over his 20 years at RT Lodge, Doyle has guided the property through significant growth and milestones, including the recent addition of the new Carriage House spa and Meeting House gathering space and earning a coveted MICHELIN Recommendation.

“After more than two decades at RT Lodge, this place has become a part of who I am,” Doyle said. “Stepping away is bittersweet, but it brings me such comfort to know the Lodge is entering its next chapter under someone who understands the heart of hospitality. Kelley’s leadership style and passion for hospitality are exactly what this extraordinary property and its remarkable team need.”

Stepping into the role is Harris, a respected figure in regional hospitality with more than 20 years at Blackberry Farm, where she built its renowned event programming and led guest experience departments and world-class spa operations. For the past two years, Harris has served as part of the Oldham Hospitality leadership team, helping the company grow its lodging, food and beverage, and retail businesses. Harris brings a deep understanding of the RT Lodge experience, strong appreciation for its team and shared vision for its next chapter alongside Executive Chef Trevor Stockton.

“It is a true honor to follow in Gary’s footsteps,” Harris said. “His leadership and dedication have shaped RT Lodge into a place beloved by guests, staff and the community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on that legacy. I’m excited to invest myself fully in the continued success and growth of this extraordinary property.

“The team here is exceptional, and I look forward to everything we will accomplish together. I am also deeply grateful for the partnership of owners Beth Holman and David and Annie Colquitt – their vision and genuine passion for hospitality are inspiring, and I’m excited to work alongside them as we guide RT Lodge into its next chapter.” RT Lodge celebrates Doyle’s remarkable contributions and looks forward to welcoming Harris as she helps guide the property into its next chapter of elevated guest experiences and renewed community connection.

The Dialogue with Lindsay Elsten

Posted on December 7, 2025 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 239th installment visiting with Lindsay Elsten, owner of Daisy’s NA Bar & Bottle Shop which creates an inclusive space rooted in East Tennessee heritage. It’s a place where community can gather around innovative non‑alcoholic beverages and comforting bites that spark curiosity and connection.

Lindsay Elsten

Describe more about Daisy’s: By blending Appalachian tradition with playful design and approachable menus, Daisy’s fosters belonging, celebrates local flavor, and builds a sustainable hub for emotional well‑being and lasting community impact.

Daisy’s NA Bar & Bottle Shop offers a curated selection of non‑alcoholic beverages, wellness shots, and simple, comforting bites designed for easy enjoyment. It operates as both a bar and retail space, giving guests the chance to discover innovative drinks while also taking favorites home. With a focus on approachable menus, playful Appalachian design, and streamlined service, Daisy’s provides a welcoming spot for everyday relaxation, special gatherings, and community events.

What was the idea behind a business like this? Daisy’s began as a vision to create a welcoming, alcohol‑free space that reflected both my East Tennessee roots and my passion for community connection. After years of involvement with Sober in Knoxville and hosting inclusive events, I saw the need for a dedicated place where people could gather, celebrate, and enjoy innovative non‑alcoholic options without compromise. Drawing on my background in marketing and event planning, I started shaping Daisy’s with a blend of Appalachian charm, playful branding, and practical operations – turning a personal dream into a community hub for sobriety and shared joy.

Describe your customers: Our customers are a mix of sober-curious explorers, people in recovery, wellness enthusiasts, creative locals, and supportive allies who all value warmth, inclusivity, and the value of conscious living. They’re drawn to our simple menus, functional wellness shots, and welcoming events that foster connection. Instead of rushing in and out, they linger, share their experiences with others, and experiment with new offerings because they trust our curation and feel at home in the space we’ve created.

What do you enjoy about running your business? What I find most rewarding about running our business is the atmosphere we get to create each day. We’ve built a place where people can gather without pressure, explore non-alcoholic options, and feel genuinely welcome. I enjoy watching our customers relax into conversation, try something new, and leave feeling connected. There’s also a creative satisfaction in shaping our menu and branding with Appalachian character – it’s a chance to blend tradition with innovation. More than anything, I appreciate knowing that our work contributes to the sober community and offers everyone a space that feels both comforting and inspiring.

The Dialogue with Jesse Martin

Posted on November 21, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Jesse Martin

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 238th installment visiting with Jesse Martin, Director of Pellissippi State’s Aviation Technology Program which prepares individuals for aviation maintenance careers.

Describe more about what the program does. The Aviation Technology training program is designed to prepare individuals for employment in the aviation maintenance or aviation repair industry. The degree will provide individuals knowledge and skills associated with repair and installation of aviation electronics, aircraft structures, and aircraft mechanical systems.

What skills will a graduate leave with?

I. Interpret and apply written and digital technical documentation to extract relevant procedures and specifications for maintenance tasks.
II. Apply mathematical and physical principles to diagnose and resolve airworthiness discrepancies in aircraft systems.
III. Apply regulatory, safety, and operational guidelines to return aircraft to service.
IV. Demonstrate proper use of specialized equipment and appropriate tools suitable for specific maintenance tasks.

What is your background? I started in aviation in 1997 by getting my private pilot certificate. In pursuit of a career in corporate aviation as a pilot, I earned my A&P certificate along with my Commercial certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. After 9/11, the industry shifted and there was a pilot surplus, but I was able to continue working as an A&P technician.

I started as an aviation maintenance technician apprentice and earned my Airframe certificate through real-world experience. I went back to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to finish my bachelors degree in Aviation Technology – AMT/Flight. Through some twists and turns in life, I changed careers and taught K-12 math and science for eight years and earned licenses in the financial services world. I now have 18 years in aviation maintenance, 8 years in education and 11 years in business and finance.

Describe your students. At PSCC, our aviation technology students are dedicated, invested and diligent. Our first cohort is representing our program and our school well. We look for qualities such as integrity, great work ethic, and life-long learners who master their craft.

What do you enjoy most about the program? I enjoy problem-solving, and growing this program through high functioning practices and well founded procedures. This position has given me the opportunity to build something that will impact our community for generations to come and to create a program that I believe will be the new standard of what it is to train the next generation of aviation professionals.

Downtown Maryville Alliance Receives Multi-Year Grant to Present the Levitt AMP Maryville Music Series

Posted on November 19, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Levitt Award logo

The Downtown Maryville Alliance in partnership with the City of Maryville, the Blount Partnership and the Clayton Center for the Arts announced that it has been awarded a multi-year grant of $36,000 in matching funds to present a free outdoor music series at the Charles West Amphitheater at Jack Greene Park in 2026, 2027, and 2028. The schedule, along with performing artists, will be released in early 2026.

“We are thrilled to bring the Levitt AMP Maryville Music Series to life at Jack Greene Park,” said Amanda Gillooly, Director of the Downtown Maryville Alliance. “This grant allows us to create a vibrant, welcoming space where our community can come together and celebrate the power of live music. It’s more than concerts—it’s about building connections, supporting local culture, and making downtown Maryville a destination for everyone.”

Levitt Music Series Grants are an exciting, multi-year matching grant program bringing the joy of free, live music to towns and cities across the country. Each Levitt Music Series location presents 7-10 free outdoor concerts per year, injecting new life into underused public spaces and creating joyous, welcoming community destinations. Levitt Music Series Grants encompass several grant opportunities, including the Levitt AMP program that the Downtown Maryville Alliance will be presenting as the Levitt AMP Maryville Music Series.

In a first of its kind collaboration, the Levitt Foundation—a national social impact funder supporting the largest free outdoor concert series in America—has partnered with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, with support from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, to award six communities based in Tennessee with multi-year Levitt AMP matching grants, which will bring up to 180 free concerts across the state over three years.

Levitt AMP grants support free, live music in towns and cities with a population of up to 250,000. Levitt AMP concert series reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales to now six locations in Tennessee, the Levitt AMP Music Series is a catalytic opportunity for towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all.

“Since the Levitt AMP Music Series began ten years ago in 2015, we’ve seen dynamic social and economic impact as nonprofits across the nation activate public spaces through the power and joy of free, live music,” said Sharon Yazowski, President & CEO of the Levitt Foundation. “Levitt concert series are community destinations, brought to life when friends, families, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together for a shared experience. Through this exciting partnership with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Levitt Foundation is thrilled to welcome [Your Organization Name] as a new grantee and watch as the Levitt AMP [Your City/Town] Music Series plays a meaningful role in strengthening the social fabric, creating economic vitality, and adding to the cultural vibrancy of your community.”

Including the Downtown Maryville Alliance, the six Tennessee Levitt AMP grantees represent towns and cities from across the state. In addition to presenting artists hailing from around the world and nation, these music series will also feature award-winning performers and musicians drawn from the vibrant music communities of Tennessee.

“Tennessee has always been a place where creativity and innovation flourish. Building on our proud history and tradition of progress, we are expanding the state’s entertainment sector and driving local economic growth and tourism thanks to this partnership with Levitt. This series will bring Tennesseans together to celebrate the extraordinary talent that defines our state,” said Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter.

Combining a total of 34 new and 32 returning grantees, the Levitt Foundation will award over $7 million dollars over the next three years to nonprofits serving towns and cities across the U.S. as part of the Levitt Music Series Grants. Levitt Music Series reach a broad range of communities across America, presenting seasoned, award-winning artists to acclaimed, emerging talent in a wide array of music genres, spanning pop, rock, folk, World music, country, jazz, Latin, children’s shows, blues, and more.

Impact of Tariffs

Posted on November 12, 2025 by - Uncategorized

Tariff sign

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce is assessing the impact of the 2025 tariffs.  We are gathering actionable insights on how tariffs are affecting hiring, investments, supply chains, and more.  Understanding the real-world effects of tariffs is critical to shaping effective advocacy and policy solutions. By leveraging this resource, we can better support our members and contribute to the broader efforts to address these challenges. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.

Tariff Impact Questions

How are tariffs impacting businesses.

How will the 2025 tariffs impact your business this year?
Do you estimate the time frame for passing through tariff cost increases to customers in the next 3 months from now?
Do you estimate the time frame for passing through tariff cost increases to customers in the next 6 months from now?
Compared to six months ago, how did the prices your firm has changed?
Compared to six months ago, how has your firm’s ability to pass price increases on to customers changed?
What share of products or components do you source from outside of the United States?
Do you expect higher tariffs to impact your business this year?
What share of tariff cost increases do you expect to pass through to costumers?
If you are going to pass along the tariff costs, what is your timeframe for increases to customers?