Rigsby tabbed as new Chamber president
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The announcement of Rigsby’s selection was made by Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Jeff McKinley. Rigsby comes to the local chamber after holding the same position in neighboring DeKalb County for over two years.
“We’re very excited to have someone like Don join our organization,” said McKinley. “His background and qualifications made him a natural fit. We look forward to working with him as he begins the task of growing our membership and positive presence in the community.”
During his tenure as executive director of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, the membership rolls increased from 92 to more than 200 members. He moved the chamber there from the basement of the courthouse to a location on the square and organized numerous fund-raising activities, including an annual golf tournament at the new Riverwatch course. He organized a plant managers group which met monthly and was voted “Mr. DeKalb County” by the readers of the Smithville Review newspaper. He was also selected “Business Person of the Year” by the DeKalb County High School Future Business Leaders of America.
Rigsby began his professional career in 1969 as a disbursement accounting and general accounting specialist with the United States Air Force. He moved to the private sector in 1970 when he accepted the position of bookkeeping manager for First National Bank in McMinnville. Two years later he accepted a similar position with the Van Buren County Board of Education.
He returned to the military field in 1974 as an accounting and finance supervisor for the Tennessee Air National Guard in Nashville. He was later elevated to recruiting and retention superintendent and remained with the Guard until accepting the Smithville chamber position in 1999.
Rigsby is an ordained minister and has been a community volunteer. He was the original organizer of DeKalb West School Junior Pro Basketball League, served for a number of years as a Little League Baseball and Junior Pro Football coach, and chaired the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life program at Greenbrook Park in Smithville. He also organized “DeKalb Rallies of America” program following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Rigsby holds membership in the boards of the American Cancer Society, WCTE-TV, the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association and the United Way of DeKalb County.
“I am very honored to be chosen for this position,” Rigsby said. “With the help of the membership, there is no reason this cannot be one of the top chamber organizations in the state. I’m looking forward to serving this community.”
Rigsby will begin his job immediately with the Chamber. As reported earlier, Rigsby does have an interest in the Economic Developer’s position. Chamber officials say they will allow Rigsby to entertain any considerations he may be presented in regard to that interest.