Molly Blankenship, vice president of talent initiatives for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, has been officially named executive director of Chattanooga 2.0.
Blankenship has served as interim executive director since March, but it was announced Tuesday that her position will be permanent.
Molly BlankenshipChattanooga 2.0, formed in 2015, was formerly led by Jared Bigham. The education coalition of Chattanooga was launched by the Chamber of Commerce, the Benwood Foundation, Hamilton County Schools and the Public Education Foundation.
Bigham left his post in March to join the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry as senior adviser for workforce and rural initiatives.
The announcement also solidifies the chamber’s growing influence on Chattanooga 2.0, as Blankenship will continue to serve on a “limited, part-time basis” as vice president of talent initiatives. The chamber will create a new senior-level position to take on talent division duties, but that position will continue under Blankenship’s leadership, according to a news release.