Pat Postma, left, presents the Postma Young Professional Medal to Wade Creswell, chief executive officer of Roane Alliance, during an East Tennessee Economic Council meeting on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. (DOE photo courtesy Lynn Freeny)
Note: This story was updated at 2:25 p.m.
Wade Creswell, president and chief executive officer of Roane Alliance, is leaving his position to begin work with an area business. His last day at the Alliance will be September 21.
The departure was announced Wednesday by Chris Whaley, chair of the Roane Alliance Board of Directors.
Pam May, Roane Alliance vice president, will serve as interim president and CEO until the board decides on the long-term future of the position, a press release said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the great work that Wade has done in his four and a half years leading the Roane Alliance,” Whaley said in a statement sent to the Board of Directors for the Roane Alliance, Chamber of Commerce, and Industrial Development Board. “His passion, vision, and love for Roane County have fueled his tireless work for this county and region, and I sincerely appreciate all he has done.”
Creswell was hired in February 2014 when Leslie Henderson retired after 10 years. During his tenure, there was progress made on several fronts, the press release said. Roane county experienced four straight years of net industrial job growth, with a net increase of 744 new industrial jobs within the last four years, the release said.
“Wade’s visionary leadership and passion for Roane County has been phenomenal,” said Jim Palmer, Industrial Development Board chair. “I know that those attributes will serve him well in your future endeavors.”
“I am going to miss my Chamber-related conversations with Wade and the vision that we both hold for Roane County,” said Marilyn Calfee, Chamber board chair. “I wish only the best for Wade and his family in their new direction. While we will miss him, the Chamber is strong and will continue to carry on.”
May has served in multiple roles at the Alliance for 10 years, including as tourism and marketing director, the release said. Under her guidance, the Alliance rebranded all partner organizations and initiated the county’s first-ever tourism campaign, the press release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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