Staff

Having lived in Johnson City for over 20 years, Bob is a true community advocate. He has served as President/CEO since 2019, bringing with him a vast background in business and hospitality. In his role, Bob manages the daily activities and future planning initiatives for The Chamber and Chamber Foundation. Bob wholeheartedly believes that a Chamber should reflect the value of a business community, and he hopes the Johnson City Chamber adds value to our region. In his free time, you can find Bob attending a concert, traveling in his Airstream camper or spending time with his family, including his first grandchild, Harper.

Serving as our Director of Leadership & Engagement, Elisa has worked at The Chamber for 30+ years! An incredible asset, the Johnson City native is responsible for administrative and clerical tasks, including drafting memos, running reports and coordinating other office needs. Elisa also organizes The Chamber’s Leadership Johnson City, 3D Youth Leadership and C.A.R.E. programs, helping professionals of all ages build their skills and capabilities. Outside of the office, Elisa loves to whip something up in the kitchen, serve in her children’s ministry and relax with her family.

Gabe has lived in Johnson City since 2013 and has worked at The Chamber since 2022. As the Director of Membership & Business Development, Gabe coordinates membership events and initiatives not only to attract and retain members but also to provide them with opportunities to develop their businesses. His background in the restaurant industry has made him passionate about supporting small businesses. His favorite part of his job is collaborating with Chamber partners like TSBDC, FoundersForge and the ETSU CBAT. When he’s not engaging with the business community, Gabe enjoys cooking, a round of golf and playing video games.

With an accounting degree from Tennessee Tech and an MBA from ETSU, Lauri brings unparalleled knowledge and acumen to her role as Director of Finance. Lauri is the keeper of paper trails and handles all things financial for The Chamber and Chamber Foundation. Although she has lived in Johnson City since 1986, one of Lauri’s favorite parts of working at The Chamber is getting to meet new people and learn new things about the area. Never far from her 10-key, Lauri spends her free time pedaling down a bike path, spending time with her family or playing just about any card game ever invented.

From intern to full-time, Cooper started his career at the Chamber. A proud graduate of ETSU, Cooper brings a wealth of marketing experience and public relations know-how to his role as Director of Marketing & Communications. Day to day, he manages all internal and external communications, as well as events like The Chamber’s membership breakfasts and The State of the City/County/Town. Cooper also leads The Chamber’s Governmental Relations efforts and the Move To Johnson City relocation initiative. The Johnson City native sits on numerous city and non-profit boards, and he is certified in Adobe Photoshop, Google Ads and DMI digital marketing. Outside of the office, Cooper loves cheering on the ETSU Bucs, going for a scenic run or going on a new adventure with his girlfriend.

As the Director of Young Professional Development, McKenzie directs the Young Professionals of Johnson City program, the Bob Owens Community Leadership Fund projects and the TEDxJohnsonCity event. Each program McKenzie oversees provides networking, leadership opportunities and personal growth to members and attendees. The inaugural program director has a heart for community and a passion for serving the Appalachian Highlands. When she’s not working, you can find the Gate City native rocking to concerts, hiking the Appalachian Trail or traveling to new cities.