Economic Development Presentation by the Chamber of Commerce

Carlie Vowell serves as Director of Economic Development for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. The economic development team focuses on the execution of the Nashville region’s five-year economic development strategy, Partnership 2030. The Partnership is a public-private initiative that aims to create job growth and economic development throughout a ten-county region. In her role, Carlie is responsible for promoting Middle Tennessee as a prime location for talent and business investment. Her focus is on corporate office and life sciences clients seeking to expand or relocate into the Nashville region. Carlie works with economic development partners throughout the ten-county area and at the State of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority to grow Nashville’s economy. She serves as Chair of NAIOP Nashville’s Developing Leaders Committee and is an active member of ULI Nashville. Carlie also serves as past-president on the board of the Rotaract Club of Nashville, the young professional’s version of the Rotary Club. Carlie graduated from the University of Mississippi with degrees in international studies and German. She mentors International Studies students at her alma mater and is fine tuning her Italian and working to learn French.

Tim Hird is executive vice president of enterprise optimization for Robert Half and Protiviti. In his role, Hird enhances combined Robert Half-Protiviti offerings to help businesses create functions and processes, address performance issues, and drive improvement in finance and accounting. Hird most recently served as executive director of the management resources practice, beginning in 2012. He joined Robert Half in 2000, working in the management resources practice and helped launch the division’s London office. He assumed leadership roles to expand the business throughout the UK, European and Asia-Pacific regions. In 2007, he relocated to Singapore and directed operations for multiple Robert Half business units in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. He is now based out of the company’s headquarters in California. Tim is a noted speaker, author and commentator on issues impacting finance and accounting professionals, such as evolving labor models, career and workplace management, employment trends, regulatory reform, and employee mobility. He has worked with leading professional associations – including Financial Executives International, CFO Leadership Council, The Institute of Internal Auditors, American Institute of CPAs, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – on initiatives ranging from thought leadership and national-conference presentations to chapter building.