MISSION STATEMENT

Locally Owned Murfreesboro Is A Nonprofit Organization Dedicated To Promoting Independent Businesses And Building A Stronger Local Economy By Joining Together In Marketing, Government Advocacy, And Support For New Businesses.

About Locally Owned Murfreesboro

In early March 2015, local business owner Gretchen Bilbro and downtown resident Leslie Russell Yost attended an event in Nashville where a representative from the American Independent Business Association spoke about the national organization.

AMIBA’s mission of helping communities and local businesses thrive resonated with the pair. They then recruited the original board — Roxann Covington, Cheryl Lisi and Michelle Willard — to help organize a local AMIBA affiliate for Murfreesboro.

From there they recruited charter members and developed a mission statement.

That’s how Locally Owned Murfreesboro became an organization of independent local business owners dedicated to promoting the benefits of shopping locally to the community and building a stronger local economy by joining together in marketing, government advocacy and networking.

To put it simply, LOM was formed Because Murfreesboro Matters.

Executive Board

Missy Lay

PRESIDENT

Missy Lay is a Rutherford County native who believes this is a GREAT place to live, work and raise a family. Lay owns Wild Goose Chase events and specializes in unique events for individuals, team-building and non-profit fundraisers. She believes in our community and loves to support all things local. 

Michelle Willard

VICE PRESIDENT

A Rutherford County native, Michelle Willard is a local journalist who has covered topics in the county from government and schools to business and events. She believes a town’s character can be found in the businesses that make it unique.

Gretchen Bilbro

PAST PRESIDENT

Gretchen Bilbro is the owner and manager of Cultivate Coworking, an independent communal office space in downtown Murfreesboro. Bilbro spearheaded the formation of Locally Owned Murfreesboro because she felt there needs to be a unified group to speak for independent businesses and promote the benefits of supporting your neighbors’ businesses.

Kenzi Keene

SECRETARY

Kenzi Keene is a local Farmers Insurance Agent and a native of Rutherford County. She has been an insurance agent for over 8 years and absolutely loves helping and educating others with their insurance needs. Keene currently serves on the board of RUTHERFORD Cable. She has been married to Michael Keene for 18 years and has two children, 

 

Roxann Covington

TREASURER

Roxann Covington is the director of new business at Contract Management Services, a Murfreesboro-based company that provides administrative and bookkeeping services for independent businesses. Covington works with small businesses on a daily basis and sees the kind of support they need to be successful.

Kayla Miller

TSBDC Liaison

Kayla Miller is the Associate Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center located on he 2nd floor of the Chamber of Commerce building. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and is a Senior Certified Professional, SHRM-SCP. Miller specializes in Human Resources and Communication.

Dr. Joshua Aaron

MTSU Entrepreneurship Liaison

Dr. Joshua R. Aaron is a Professor of Management at Middle Tennessee State University and the holder of the Pam Wright Chair in Entrepreneurship. Dr. Aaron currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Small Business Institute and serves on the Tennessee Small Business Development Center Afvisory Board as well as the advisory council for the MTSU ACE Learning Center. 

Terry Lea

Marketing

Terry Lea is co-owner of Re-Invintage, a cure for the commonplace in a shop filled with unique home furnishings and quality vintage furniture. Originally open in 2017, her store resides on Franklin Road. Lea believes in supporting local and showcases the work of many local vendors. When you shop at Re-Invintage, you are supporting local people and their passion to create.

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