Contact: Colby Sledge | Sledge Strategies

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TLACC ANNOUNCES JESSIE GARCIA KNOWLES AS FIRST-EVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Longtime Nashvillian returns to lead state’s premier Latino-owned business organization

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday the hiring of its first-ever executive director, Jessie Garcia Knowles.

The position marks a return to Nashville for Garcia Knowles, who previously served as an assistant dean of students at Lipscomb University and as director of Latino Achievers with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. She officially starts as TLACC executive director on Jan. 2.

“Our board decided this year to hire our first executive director, and our timing could not have been better with Jessie’s return to Nashville,” said Victor Berrios, TLACC board president. “We are very fortunate to have such a strong leader with deep local roots in this position.”

Garcia Knowles’ primary responsibilities will include membership growth and strengthening ties between Latino business owners, the Middle Tennessee business community, and the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Government. She also will focus on increasing partnership opportunities with TLACC alliance partners, such as FUTURO, a program for Latino college students, and E.L.L.A., a mentorship program for Latina entrepreneurs.

“The TLACC board has an amazing vision of what’s to come in 2020 and beyond for the Latino business community, and I’m excited to put that vision to work,” said Garcia Knowles. “Our members are a vital part of Middle Tennessee’s economic growth. As the Latino population grows in our state, so does the number of Latino-owned businesses, and TLACC is leading the way in supporting and connecting those businesses to partners, audiences and resources.”

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TLACC provides leadership and support to Latino and non-Latino-owned companies, entrepreneurs, professionals and students in Middle Tennessee willing to engage with growing Latino markets. For more information, visit TLACC.org.