The last month of each quarter, the Hartsville-Trousdale Chamber of Commerce hosts an evening meeting for members that are unable to attend the monthly day meeting.
The evening meeting is just one of many additions the Chamber has made to accommodate members and the community under the leadership of Executive Director Brittany Johnson and the Chamber’s Board.
But as the Chamber grows in membership and showcases the county’s local assets and opportunities, supports local employers and small businesses, Johnson and the board members have found their operational capacity increasingly strained.
As a result, conversations began about forming committees to help with the chamber's work.
At Tuesday's meeting, Regina Waller and Jule Pawelzik shared their plans to lead two new committees aimed at boosting the Chamber’s service to the community.
After serving on the Trousdale County Board of Education for 16 years, Regina Waller is taking the lead with the Community Spirit Committee.
The Community Spirit Committee will seek to build on the woven social fabric built on face-to-face interactions and connections, shared community traditions with some new ones joining in, and rallying community support for when needed.
A lifelong resident of Trousdale County, Waller and her husband have been married for 40 years and own a farm in the county. She has one son and a daughter-in-law. With a career in healthcare in nursing home settings, a love for youth and animals, Waller describes herself as having a “spirit led heart.”
Waller recently sought reelection to the school board and hosted the Red, White & Blue Bingo Bash at the Community Center with all the 4th of July festivities presented by the Chamber and local businesses.
“What I learned from those events is that I really missed serving in my community,” said Waller.
Waller is considering an event for the community to celebrate Thanksgiving. As an event and activities director in her job, her creative wheels are turning to consider what that event might look like.
Following her husband’s retirement from the military, Jules Pawelzik’s family relocated to Trousdale County in June from Arizona. According to Johnson, she’s "already making a big impact."
“I believe people are placed in our paths for a reason,” said Johnson. “I met Jules at an event and we just hit it off. She’s excited and ready to serve in her new community.”
With a background as a public health professional with grant writing skills, Pawelzik founded a community clinic in her town in Arizona.
“I’m excited to use the talents and skills that I have been gifted to serve my new community,” said Pawelzik.
She is the lead of a new Community Outreach Committee that will allow the Chamber to better serve the community by asking members of the community what it needs to grow and thrive.
Pawelzik, along with community leaders, created a community survey designed to gather important information about the needs within Trousdale County. She and her family set up a display table at the Trousdale County Fair to encourage survey participation.
Completing the survey, participants earned an entry into a drawing for a gift basket valued at over $750. She will share the results of the survey with the Trousdale County Health Council on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The information gleaned from the survey analysis will help the committee set goals for the community and expand their reach for supporting and serving the community in these areas of need. The committee will also partner with other organizations within the county with common interests.
As the Chamber continues to grow, and these two committees begin serving the community, Johnson anticipates the creation of two more committees to begin at the first of the year.
Johnson’s personal goal for the Chamber was to add 100 businesses to the chamber’s roster, and as of last Tuesday, 20 new members are all that is needed to meet that goal by the end of 2026.
Johnson will be attending the 2026 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, Sept. 16-18 in Gatlinburg. The conference will highlight educational seminars, networking events and awards.
If you are looking to join the chamber, as an individual or a business owner, visit gettothehart.com. The next Chamber meeting will be held at noon, Tuesday, Oct. 12 at the Hartsville–Trousdale Community Center, 301 E. Main St.