Walker Talks

This week on Walker Talks, we highlight a big week for economic leadership and growth in Walker County.

Hosts Lacey Smith and Pastor Ashley Mew begin by recapping the Walker County Chamber’s Annual Luncheon, where regional leaders gathered to celebrate progress and discuss the future of our community.

The luncheon featured April Cameron, President & CEO of the Chattanooga Airport, who shared valuable insight on leadership, collaboration, and the importance of regional partnerships.

The event also marked a significant leadership transition for the Chamber as Ashley Mew completed his term as Board Chair and passed the role to Elijah Parker of Peach State Federal Credit Union.

Then the conversation turns to a major development for Walker County.

Guest Johnny Tubbs from Pilgrim’s joins the show to talk about the new Pilgrim’s facility currently under construction in Walker County. When fully operational, the facility is expected to bring more than 630 jobs to the area while producing prepared foods for national brands.

This episode is a great example of how the Walker County Chamber connects leadership, industry, and community to help drive economic opportunity in our region.

In this episode of Walker Talks, host Lacey Smith welcomes Wendy Ingram, LaFayette Downtown Development Director and Main Street Manager, for a conversation about how collaboration drives economic strength in Walker County.

From downtown revitalization efforts to Chamber partnerships and shared community initiatives, Wendy explains how working together creates opportunities for local businesses to thrive. This episode highlights the power of alignment between city leadership, business owners, and community organizations — and why shared success benefits everyone.

Whether you’re a local entrepreneur, civic leader, or invested resident, this episode offers insight into how partnerships shape the future of Walker County.

Walker Talks is the official podcast of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, featuring conversations that connect business, leadership, and community across Northwest Georgia.

Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/@walkercountychamber/videos

Visit Us Online: www.walkercochamber.com

In this episode of Walker Talks, the Walker County Chamber of Commerce explores why relationships remain at the heart of local business growth.

Hosts Lacey Smith and Ashley Mew are joined by Courtney McIlvane with Southern Shadows, a Walker County Chamber member who offers history and walking tours in Chickamauga. Courtney shares her story of finding her way to Walker County and how meaningful relationships helped her build both community connection and business success.

The conversation highlights how trust, consistency, and showing up still matter — especially for businesses growing in a local, relationship-driven economy. From Chamber involvement to referral-based growth, this episode offers insight into how businesses thrive when they invest in people first.

Walker Talks is the official podcast of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, sharing conversations that connect business, leadership, and community across Walker County.

Welcome to the very first episode of Walker Talks, a new podcast created to connect the Walker County Chamber of Commerce with the people, businesses, and organizations that make our community thrive.

In this inaugural episode, hosts Lacey Smith and Ashley Mew sit down with special guest Evitte Parrish, local business owner and Chamber board member, to share the heart behind the Chamber and why involvement matters more than ever.

This conversation explores:

- Why Chamber membership is valuable for businesses, churches, and nonprofits

- How LEADS groups create real connections, referrals, and collaboration

- The impact of leadership programs and school partnerships in Walker County

- The Chamber’s role as a nonprofit organization advocating for local business

- How collaboration between cities, schools, churches, and businesses strengthens the entire community

As the Walker County Chamber of Commerce celebrates 35 years of service, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Chamber works, why community connection matters, and how getting involved can help businesses—and people—grow together.

Whether you are a business owner, nonprofit leader, church, or someone who simply loves Walker County, this episode is an invitation to get connected and be part of something bigger.

Ready to get involved?

Become a member of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and start building meaningful connections today:

👉 https://www.walkercochamber.com/join-now