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SUMMARY:SOLD OUT: Chamber Annual Meeting 2026
DESCRIPTION:THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT.\n\nFor questions or to be placed on the wait list\, please contact Karlyn Reel at kreel@cookevillechamber.com.\n\n\n\nSave the date for the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber's Annual Meeting! This year's event will showcase the impactful work of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber and the Highlands Economic Partnership. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we honor the 2026 Member Awards and welcome keynote speaker Alfonzo Alexander\, President & CEO of Alexander Success Group. The night kicks off with a hospitality hour\, followed by a delicious sit-down dinner catered by Grade-A Catering\, and concludes with inspiring remarks from our Chamber and community leaders. Don't miss this celebration of collaboration and success!\n \n\n\n2026 Awards\n\nWe will be honoring seven Chamber Members for their commitment to the Putnam County community in 2025 and these businesses will be highlighted at the event on February 10. Below are the categories for review. \n\n\n\nBusiness of the Year - Large Division\n\nThis award is given to the area employer representing our large business community (50+ employees) that has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations and a record of giving back to the community.\n\n\n\nBusiness of the Year - Small Division\n\nThis award is dedicated to recognizing an area employer categorized as a small business (1-49 employees). Please note that 'small business' in this context is defined by the number of employees\, and it includes a diverse range of businesses. The recipient should demonstrate both growth or sustainability in their operations\, maintain strong employee relations\, and exhibit a noteworthy commitment to giving back to the community.\n\n \n\nEconomic Impact\n\nThis business\, organization\, or individual has greatly bolstered Putnam County's economic vitality by fostering job growth\, expanding the tax base\, constructing or renovating structures\, and engaging in other community-enhancing initiatives that benefit local residents.\n\n\n\nFranchise of the Year\n\nRecognizes a franchised business that has demonstrated outstanding success in operations\, customer service\, and community involvement\, setting an example for excellence within the franchise network and the local community.\n\n\n\nLegacy of Excellence\n\nHonors a long-standing business that has consistently contributed to community growth\, culture\, or economic stability over the years.\n\n\n\nNon-Profit of the Year\n\nThis award is given to the non-profit that you believe serves as the example of leadership\, philanthropy or positive impact within our community.\n\n\n\nWorkforce Development Excellence\n\nRecognizes a business that has excelled in workforce training\, development\, or retention\, contributing to a stronger local workforce.\n \n\n \n\nKeynote Speaker\n\n\n\n\n\nAlfonzo Alexander\n\nAlfonzo D. Alexander\, MBA\, CPC\n\n \n\nAlfonzo Alexander is the president & CEO of Alexander Success Group (ASG)\, where he and his team provide leadership development\, strategic business consulting\, inclusive excellence strategy development\, and training services for organizations nationwide. A serial entrepreneur and investor\, Alexander has started\, led\, and advised multiple businesses across industries. He is a popular speaker\, delivering over 50 presentations each year on leadership\, strategy\, ethics\, and diversity to business professionals and college students.\n\nAlexander also serves as president & CEO of the PhD Project\, a national nonprofit supporting academic and business communities for over 30 years. Until retiring in 2024\, he led the NASBA Center for the Public Trust for nearly 20 years and oversaw ethics and diversity at NASBA as chief ethics and diversity officer. He also served as president and board member of MaxxContent\, LLC\, providing digital educational content nationwide.\n\nEarlier in his career\, Alexander held leadership roles at INROADS\, Inc.\, overseeing operations and business development across seven states\, and at the Quaker Oats Company in operations management and human resources.\n\nAlexander earned his business degree from Tennessee Tech University\, an MBA from Lipscomb University\, and completed an Executive Leadership Program at the Wharton School. He is a certified facilitator and professional coach and has received numerous honors. A committed community leader\, Alexander serves on multiple boards and organizations\, including Belmont University\, Tennessee Tech University\, and the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT.
\nFor questions or to be placed on the wait list\, please contact Karlyn Reel at kreel@cookevillechamber.com.
\n
\nSave the date for the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber&rsquo\;s Annual Meeting! This year&rsquo\;s event will showcase the impactful work of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber and the Highlands Economic Partnership. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we honor the 2026 Member Awards and welcome keynote speaker Alfonzo Alexander\, President &\; CEO of Alexander Success Group. The night kicks off with a hospitality hour\, followed by a delicious sit-down dinner catered by Grade-A Catering\, and concludes with inspiring remarks from our Chamber and community leaders. Don&rsquo\;t miss this celebration of collaboration and success!\n \;
\n\n
\n2026 Awards
\nWe will be honoring seven Chamber Members for their commitment to the Putnam County community in 2025 and these businesses will be highlighted at the event on February 10. Below are the categories for review. \;
\n
\nBusiness of the Year - Large Division
\nThis \;award is given to the area employer representing our \;large business community \;(50+ employees) \;that has shown growth or sustainability of their business with strong employee relations and a record of giving back to the community.
\n
\nBusiness of the Year - Small Division
\nThis award is dedicated to recognizing an area employer categorized as a small business \;(1-49 employees). Please note that '\;small business'\; in this context is defined by the number of employees\, and it includes a diverse range of businesses. The recipient should demonstrate both growth or sustainability in their operations\, maintain strong employee relations\, and exhibit a noteworthy commitment to giving back to the community.
\n \;
\n\nEconomic Impact
\nThis business\, organization\, or individual has greatly bolstered Putnam County'\;s economic vitality by fostering job growth\, expanding the tax base\, constructing or renovating structures\, and engaging in other community-enhancing initiatives that benefit local residents.
\n
\nFranchise of the Year
\nRecognizes a franchised business that has demonstrated outstanding success in operations\, customer service\, and community involvement\, setting an example for excellence within the franchise network and the local community.
\n
\nLegacy of Excellence
\nHonors a long-standing business that has consistently contributed to community growth\, culture\, or economic stability over the years.
\n
\nNon-Profit of the Year
\nThis award is given to the non-profit that you believe serves as the example of leadership\, philanthropy or positive impact within our community.
\n
\nWorkforce Development Excellence
\nRecognizes a business that has excelled in workforce training\, development\, or retention\, contributing to a stronger local workforce.
\n \;\n\n
\;\n\n
Keynote Speaker
\n
\n
\nAlfonzo Alexander
\nAlfonzo D. Alexander\, MBA\, CPC
\n \;
\n\n
Alfonzo Alexander is the president &\; CEO of Alexander Success Group (ASG)\, where he and his team provide leadership development\, strategic business consulting\, inclusive excellence strategy development\, and training services for organizations nationwide. A serial entrepreneur and investor\, Alexander has started\, led\, and advised multiple businesses across industries. He is a popular speaker\, delivering over 50 presentations each year on leadership\, strategy\, ethics\, and diversity to business professionals and college students.
\n\n
Alexander also serves as president &\; CEO of the PhD Project\, a national nonprofit supporting academic and business communities for over 30 years. Until retiring in 2024\, he led the NASBA Center for the Public Trust for nearly 20 years and oversaw ethics and diversity at NASBA as chief ethics and diversity officer. He also served as president and board member of MaxxContent\, LLC\, providing digital educational content nationwide.
\n\n
Earlier in his career\, Alexander held leadership roles at INROADS\, Inc.\, overseeing operations and business development across seven states\, and at the Quaker Oats Company in operations management and human resources.
\n\n
Alexander earned his business degree from Tennessee Tech University\, an MBA from Lipscomb University\, and completed an Executive Leadership Program at the Wharton School. He is a certified facilitator and professional coach and has received numerous honors. A committed community leader\, Alexander serves on multiple boards and organizations\, including Belmont University\, Tennessee Tech University\, and the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
\n