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Opinion | It’s time to show appreciation to a true leader and community treasure | Otis Sanford

ABC24 political analyst and commentator Otis Sanford shared his point of view on changes in leadership at the Greater Memphis Chamber.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — You’ve heard the old saying, all good things must come to an end. Well, when it comes to Beverly Robertson, it’s true.

It was a good thing that Robertson took over in 2018 as president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber following the senseless murder of Phil Trenary. But Robertson’s tenure will come to an end when she officially steps down at years end.

She will be succeeded by the chamber’s chief economic development officer Ted Townsend, who was the chamber board’s unanimous choice to move up to the top spot.

But for now, the focus rightfully is on Robertson, who has done a phenomenal job taking over at a clearly difficult moment for the organization. Her work speaks for itself. She has been a champion for small and minority business development and for improving public education to grow a workforce that can take advantage of high-tech jobs. Robertson, along with Townsend, also played a key role in helping the state land the Ford Blue Oval City truck assembly plant in nearby Haywood County.

Before joining the chamber, Robertson led the National Civil Rights Museum to unprecedented growth and international acclaim. So as I said, Beverly Robertson, the pride of Orange Mound and Melrose High School, has been good – no great – for Memphis. And it’s only fitting that we spend the next six months showing appreciation to a true leader and community treasure.

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