Rotaract of Chattanooga has selected its 2018–2019 board of directors to lead the organization into its sixth year and announced the appointment of President Caroline Walker. “I am honored to serve as this year’s Rotaract president. We have such a motivated, passionate and diverse group of people in this club who are always looking for ways connect others, personally and professionally, and have a common interest in professional and community development for the city of Chattanooga.” President Walker said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to seeing our membership continue to grow and serve the city of Chattanooga”.
The following community leaders were chosen:
Caroline Walker- president- VP of Commercial Banking at BB&T
Joey Greer- vice president- business sales executive, EPB Fiber Optics
Honor Hostetler- past-president - director of membership, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Betsy Kramer- secretary- portfolio administrator at Patten and Patten, Inc.
Chris Sislo- treasurer - wealth manager at HHM Wealth Advisors, LLC.
Joel DeFoor- service chair- healthcare lending portfolio manager, Millennium Bank
Andrew Anderson- senior credit officer, SBA Division, Synovous
Tripp Stanford- communications chair- digital marketing director at Papercut Interactive
Elizabeth Hammitt- programs chair- director of environmental stewardship & community at EPB
Zach Hurst- asst. programs chair- relationship manager, The Trust Company
Matt Wayne- social chair- attorney at law at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C.
Spencer Klein- asst. social chair- associate project manager at Tennessee Valley Authority
Dhonielle Toussaint- membership chair- accountant at Baylor School
Amy Donahue- asst. membership chair- director of marketing and communications at River City Company
"The Rotaract Club of Chattanooga consists of talented young business leaders who are service minded and exhibiting a genuine interest in putting others above self. Rotaract of Chattanooga offers its members a forum to better understand and promote the characteristics of responsible citizenship and effective leadership. We accomplish this by interacting with our community's business, government and civic leaders, networking with other like minded individuals, and addressing community service needs of our local area and beyond.
"Rotaract of Chattanooga is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young women and men ages 22 to 35 whose mission is to provide a service above self which can create an enhanced environment for our members and our Chattanooga community.
Rotaract has formed a strategic partnership with Lookout Mountain Conservancy’s Howard Intern Program by mentoring and tutoring these students. Connecting with the students through land conservation creates a perfect opportunity for building relationships, establishing trust and mutual respect.
Lookout Mountain Conservancy’s Howard Intern Program is a cause close to our hearts. The Lookout Mountain Conservancy (LMC) employs students from Howard High School to preserve and protect Chattanooga’s natural resources. The students learn about nature, conservation, teamwork and trust by establishing lasting relationships with LMC’s leaders and other students in the program. More importantly, the program provides a unique opportunity for inner city students to have a safe work environment, provide supportive income for their families, and learn people and professional skills to succeed in life.
"Since the creation of the internship program in 2013, Howard High School reports that participating students have become leaders in their class and set examples for other students. Their grades and attendance are improving with promising plans for attending secondary education upon graduating, a first in the family for many.
"LMC is receiving national attention from land trusts around the country for establishing a unique program that connects inner city youth with a community’s natural resources.
"Rotaract of Chattanooga is directly affiliated with the Downtown Chattanooga Rotary; however, we are a separate organization from the Rotary with an independent board and budget," officials said.