Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bill Kilbride announced Tuesday the appointment of David Steele as vice president of Policy and Education. Mr. Steele will be involved in the Chamber’s support for Chattanooga 2.0 and initiatives related to workforce development.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dave to our team,” Mr. Kilbride said. “He brings experience and insight to this leadership position at a time when the future of our community will be shaped by the education and policy decisions we make today.”
Mr. Steele spent most of his career at what he calls "the intersection between education and economic development." He says this role is "the perfect fit." Mr. Steele’s career, which started with executive posts in chambers of commerce in the Midwest, includes public policy, economic and workforce development, higher education, public relations and marketing.
"The Chattanooga region's capacity to balance pride in the past while also taking bold steps to shape the future is well-established and this is exactly what draws us here," said Mr. Steele. "The partnerships between the public and private sectors have helped to set the bar for cities across the nation and I'm incredibly excited to help write the next chapter in workforce development and public policy.”
Mr. Steele and his wife, Shannon, a former PR professional and nonprofit executive, will relocate from the Lakeland area of central Florida. Mr. Steele, raised in Georgia, and Mrs. Steele, raised in Alabama, said they consider Chattanooga "the perfect spot."
Mr. Steele begins his new role in March. He holds degrees from Ashland University and the University of Notre Dame.