The Gallatin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is immensely proud to announce that our CEO, Kim Baker, has been honored with the 2024 Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) Executive of the Year Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates Kim's exceptional leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the Gallatin community, qualities that have set her apart as a leader in our field.

The TCCE Executive of the Year Award identifies the most effective chamber professional in Tennessee, one who has profoundly impacted their local community. This award is a testament to Kim’s professional experience, ethical conduct, leadership, and her relentless pursuit of advancing the profession of chamber management. Her dedication to these principles has not only elevated the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce but also the entire Gallatin community.

Since assuming the CEO role in 2015, Kim has consistently embodied the essence of a Chamber CEO. Her visionary leadership has driven innovative projects such as "The Station," a landmark revitalization initiative that will serve as a cornerstone for commerce and community engagement in Gallatin. This transformative project, made possible by a $1,000,000 Capital Campaign that Kim spearheaded, highlights her ability to unite local government, businesses, schools, and nonprofits to achieve shared goals.

Under Kim’s guidance, the Gallatin Chamber has seen extraordinary growth. Our annual budget has grown from $303,000 to over $987,000 in just nine years, a reflection of Kim's commitment to the Chamber’s financial sustainability and its mission to serve our members and the wider community. Through her leadership, Gallatin has been positioned as a standout community, earning accolades such as Reader’s Digest's "Nicest Place in America" in 2017.

“Kim’s impact on our Chamber and our community has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Michael Lajoie, Chair of the Gallatin Chamber Board of Directors. “Her servant leadership, generosity, resourcefulness, and professional competency have truly elevated Gallatin and the Chamber to new heights. We are fortunate to have her at the helm, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts.”

As the Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kim Baker on this exceptional achievement. We are confident that under her leadership, the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce will continue to thrive, fostering growth and prosperity for our community.