Murfreesboro, Tenn. – The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce has named Lynn Tede as the 2011 Diplomat of the Year, and will honor her at the Chamber’s annual Business at its Best celebration on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center.

Tede, a realtor with Bob Parks, has served in the Chamber’s Diplomat program since 2009, serving as an officer and team leader for the past two years.

“Diplomats are our core volunteers who share the Chamber’s message while working with their own clients,” said Kelli Beam, director of membership for the Chamber. “We have an amazing team of 60 business people, like Lynn, who are an extension of our membership team. I am very proud of this team and of Lynn for all the time and effort they pour into supporting the Chamber and its members. Lynn is very deserving of this award because of her dedication and ability to make others feel welcome into the Chamber’s membership.”

Tede received her Real Estate license in 1993 in California and enjoyed working with buyers and sellers there for almost 10 years. She had the pleasure of working as a member of top producing teams in Southern California and Middle Tennessee as well as an independent agent.

“I’m thankful to have a job that enables me to help families achieve the American dream of owning a home,” said Tede.

Tede is an active volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a member of the Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors public relations committee and serves as the agent council representative for the Bob Parks Smyrna office.

She and her husband, Randy, who live in Murfreesboro, have two children: Michael, who resides in Los Angeles and Jennifer, who lives in Murfreesboro with her husband Brian and their two children, Noah and Hailey.

The Business at its Best reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are $60 for Chamber members and $80 for non-members. To reserve your seat, please contact the Chamber at 615-893-6556 or visit www.rutherfordchamber.org.

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce seeks to promote economic development and a quality of life to benefit all residents of Rutherford County. Programs, events and services are offered to both members and non-members. The Chamber operates out of a main office on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro, and branch offices in Smyrna and La Vergne. Learn more at www.rutherfordchamber.org.

Chuck Smart, Director of Sales for the Clarion Inn & Suites of Murfreesboro, was recently named Diplomat of the Month for January. "Chuck has been amazing to work with since he began at the Clarion Inn," said Kelli Beam, Director of Membership. "He has made every effort to incorporate himself into what is going on in the community. Not only is he an active diplomat, he also participates with the Convention and Visitors Bureau hospitality team." Chuck is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but now calls Murfreesboro home. He is married to Layla and they have a son named Chas. He serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Convention and Visitors Bureau and is active with his son's Cub Scout troop. Chuck can be reached at 890-0046 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Marsha Logue is the Assistant Vice President/Office Manager with Wilson Bank & Trust at the South Church Street location in Murfreesboro and was named Diplomat of the Month for December. 

"Marsha is a behind the scenes person," said Kelli Beam, Director of Membership. “She has done a great job this year of stepping outside her comfort zone and participating in activities and events with the Chamber. Marsha has an ability to make you feel like you are the only person in the room when you speak to her and she does a great job of running her branch along with fitting in all the activities that we have to offer at the Chamber."

Logue is originally from Clay City, Indiana but now calls Murfreesboro home. She is married to Jim and they have two grown children and one granddaugther.  She serves in the community as a Ladies Life Links Small group facilitator, as a member of the Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club, Woman’s Ministry speaker for ladies day events, American Heart Go Red For Women, and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Character Counts Coach.  Also, she has become a panel allocations member for the United Way.

Logue can be reached at 615-904-6370 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jason Jones, Owner and President of Jason Jones, CPA, was named Diplomat of the Month for September.

"When I first met Jason Jones he was actually hesitant about how to really get involved with the Chamber and did not really understand how he could benefit from the Chamber," said Kelli Beam, Director of Membership. "Now I know he knows what the Chamber can do for him and his small business. Jason has such a servant's heart and comes across as a quick witted person. He has been such a blessing to have on our Diplomat Team. He not only believes in what he is participating in at the Chamber - he talks and walks it every day. I have received many compliments on Jason and his professionalism and he shows it in his time as a volunteer and in his business."

Jason participated in the 2010 Membership Event as a runner and a volunteer recruiting new members. Many in attendance will remember him as the "Joker."

Jason is from Augusta, Georgia and now makes his home in Murfreesboro along with his wife Lauren and their daughter, Sarah. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors and Auburn University with his Masters in Accounting. In addition, Jason recently received his Masters of Taxation from University of Tulsa.

Jason Jones is a member of AICPA/TSCPA and is the only Dave Ramsey endorsed CPA in Rutherford County. Jason may be reached at 615-962-7413 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Meagan Flippin,Director of Marketing and Special Events for United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, was named Diplomat of the Month for July.

"This is the first year for Meagan to serve as a diplomat," said Kelli Beam, Director of Membership. "Meagan has a great opportunity in the community to change lives of those the United Way agencies serve. We are so fortunate to have Meagan serving as diplomat this year. She has been able to promote agencies that we as staff and diplomats would never have known about had she not shared their story. She has also been able to share with her agencies the advantages of being involved with the Chamber."

Meagan is from and currently lives in Murfreesboro. She attended MTSU where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and M.P.S. Strategic Leadership.

She also serves as a Big Sister, Ambassador and Ambassador Secretary for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. She is also the Recruitment and Pan-Hellenic Advisor for the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at MTSU.

Meagan can be reached at 893-7303 x 102 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"It is my wish to shine a beacon of hope into the lives of the children served by DreamCatchers by encouraging the belief that we all have a 'significant contribution' to make in this lifetime and every dream be realized," said Dana.

Kay Stroud is a Leasing and Sales Agent for Swanson Companies and was named Diplomat of the Month.

"Kay has done an amazing job this year as a diplomat.  She has stepped up and helped with taking photos at the more than 40 ribbon cuttings the Chamber has had just this year," said Kelli Beam, Director of Membership. "Kay is a very creative person that is using her talents as her contribution to this team."

Kay is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but now calls Murfreesboro home. She enjoys cycling and hiking, and has served on committee’s in North Carolina for Habitat for Humanity and Blue Ridge Adventure Race. She has recently served as a mentor for the Student Athlete Enhancement Center. Kay can be reached at 896-0000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .