Rhett Bentley
Thrive Regional Partnership has welcomed Rhett Bentley to the team as communications manager.
The role is dedicated to establishing a comprehensive communications strategy for the organization, as well as sustaining relationships with regional media to share news and stories of various communities and constituencies across the tri-state region.
Ms. Bentley said, “It’s no small challenge to take hold of the wealth of stories and material our community has to offer and distill it into clear, impactful messages that accurately represent the region while positioning it as a place of national, economic interest. This is a responsibility I embrace.”
A native of Savannah, Ga., Ms. Bentley grew to love the regional landscape while a student at Sewanee, the University of the South. She graduated magna cum laude with a major in English and minors in Spanish and Art History.
Residing in Chattanooga for the last four years, Ms. Bentley has established connections in the city’s vibrant nonprofit sector. She has facilitated communications for organizations such as Southern Lit Alliance and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. Ms. Bentley looks forward to working with Thrive Regional Partnership, which after four years of intensive research for the Thrive 2055 regional planning initiative, has become a reputable thought leader in community development.
"Communicating the compelling vision for our region, the infrastructure challenges we are facing, and the progress made by leaders of the cities and towns throughout our area is a key function of Thrive," said Bridgett Massengill, president and CEO. "We are thrilled to have Rhett join our team and use her skillful talents to help keep the public informed of our tri-state region's successes and its future trajectory."
Ms. Bentley lives in the North Shore neighborhood of Chattanooga with her husband, Rob, and two dogs. Outside of the office she can be found hiking the area’s scenic trails, on her mat at a hot yoga studio, or practicing her fly fishing cast. She enjoys reading and writing about people and places, and maintains a cultivated interest in the various characteristics that compose a community
“As a transplant to Chattanooga, I am constantly impressed by this ever-evolving region, full of lush natural treasures and hardworking, bright people,” Ms. Bentley said. “It’s no wonder that incoming people and businesses find this area attractive. While welcoming progress and change, Thrive seeks to preserve all that we, as citizens, love about this place we call home — a mission that resonates with me personally, as well as countless others.”
Thrive Regional Partnership implements and sustains a vision of responsible and inspired growth across the greater Chattanooga tri-state area. By convening and collaborating with diverse regional partners, and employing analytics and innovation, Thrive catalyzes community development opportunities while protecting the natural landscapes that define this special place, and preparing the bright young men and women that will carry this region into the future.