Sybil TopelSybil Topel has been named vice president of communications for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce as the business group continues to focus on recruitment, job creation and member initiatives.
Bill Kilbride, the Chamber’s president, said Tuesday that Topel led branding and digital communications strategy for more than five years for a Nashville-based architecture firm.
Earlier in her career, she worked with Dallas-based Spaeth Communications, providing communications training and consulting for FedEx, AIG, Alcan and several health care clients.
“She brings fresh insight and extensive communications leadership experience to our community, as well as a lifelong commitment to continuous education and community service,” Kilbride said.
She replaces J.Ed. Marston, who earlier this year joined EPB as its vice president of marketing.
Topel, who completed her master’s in fine arts degree in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta this year, said she writes regularly for an international career blog based in Singapore, interviewing international executives from St. Louis, London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
In August of this year, the Lillian E. Smith Center awarded her a writers’ residency at its Clayton, Ga., location.
“I’m delighted to join the Chamber team that shares the great Chattanooga story,” said Topel, who begins her work at the business group immediately.
She has served as president of two professional organizations: CABLE, a Nashville-based business networking organization with more than 500 members, and the Society of Marketing Professional Services’ Nashville chapter.
She began her career as a reporter and editor for United Press International after completing her undergraduate degree in communications at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.