Chattanooga: Maria Noel named new Chamber director of minority business assistance

Maria Noel, who for 10 years has worked in economic development for The Enterprise Center, has been named minority business assistance director for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.

Noel will be the first person to hold the position, which the Chattanooga Chamber created to lead its newly established Minority Business Assistance Program, according to a news release.

Noel’s economic development experience and community connections are key factors that position her for success in launching this new initiative, Tom Edd Wilson, chamber president and CEO, said in the release.

“The Minority Business Assistance Program can only succeed if area business leaders come together in developing and adopting strategies to foster job creation and positive economic activity among minority-owned companies,” he said in the release. “Maria has a great track record for engaging volunteer leaders in a way that gets things done.”

Noel said she is looking forward to joining the chamber team.

“I look forward to working with both the staff and the business community with a goal of supporting Chattanooga’s minority-owned businesses in making our economy into a national model for diversity and business friendliness,” she said in the release.

Noel’s business experience includes more than 25 years in marketing, public relations, and communications, the news release stated.

She serves on the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise Board, is vice president of programs and special events for the Chattanooga Technology Council Board, and has served on the board of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority.