LARISA MYERS BRASS, once a journalist with Knoxville News Sentinel and The Oak Ridger, has been named director of innovation of the Knoxville Chamber, in that city, according to her updated LinkedIn profile.

VNC understands she'll play a pivotal role, reporting to Vice President of Regional Enhancement Amy Nolan.

The appointment, following months of Chamber role-definition and recruitment efforts, doubtless signals fursther momentum in the Chamber's execution on its projected five-year "strategic vision," via its Prosperity Through Innovation (PTI) initiative. A PTI brief is cached here.

VP Amy Nolan

Within the Regional Enhancement bailiwick, key PTI initiative roles posted in February include:

• Developing and implementing a regional workforce strategy (read)
• Developing and implementing a regional talent retention and attraction strategy (read)
• Developing and implementing a community infrastructure strategy (read)
• Developing and implementing a regional access-to-capital strategy (read)
• Executing a local business-focused economic development strategy
• Developing and executing a brand strategy to market the City of Knoxville and Knox County

In addition to Brass's full-time newspaper journalism roles during 1998-2006, and occasional freelance reporting or mentions in VentureNashville, Brass, 52, has served in communications and marketing roles with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Provision Healthcare, as well as serving as a case manager with state government, and as director of development and community outreach for Knoxville's Bridge Refugee Sponsorship Services Inc., according to her profile.

She earned her master's in Public Health from Loma Linda (Calif.) University in 2014 and her bachelor's at Southern Adventist College, Collegedale, Tenn., in 1996.

Her public service has included serving as a board member of Knoxville WUOT Public Radio 91.9fm, and as chair and board member of Loudon County Health Improvement Council, among other nonprofit efforts.

She is a native of Woodbury, Tenn., and her husband, Matt Brass, is, among other pursuits, founder of Smokyoutfitters. They have lived in the Knoxville area nearly 30 years and have a large family.

The Chamber's previously posted recruitment notice provided an overview of the position, portions of which read:

"The director of innovation is responsible for overseeing the chamber’s regional innovation efforts including the areas of technology transfer and commercialization, patent exposure, innovation infrastructure, access to capital, entrepreneurship, and more. The role designs opportunities that will lead to a more robust innovation ecosystem which will eventually increase the City of Knoxville and Knox County’s average annual pay. The director of innovation will work regularly with key partners including chamber investors, private businesses, academic institutions, city, county, and state government representatives, state and regional entrepreneurial organizations, and community stakeholders."

That same recruitment posting cited these expectations:

• Engage with external ecosystems, such as private businesses, including startups, research institutions, and other partners, to source and implement novel solutions
• Conduct research and analyze best practices and tactics to support strategic goals
• Identify emerging trends and develop initiatives and programming that advance them
• Willingness to be flexible, adaptable, and proactive in a constantly changing environment
• Provide strategic counsel and expertise to the vice president of regional enhancement on matters of innovation
• Create and foster relationships with key partners across the region, state, and country
• Communicate pertinent business information to other chamber departments
• Work with the vice chair of innovation to operate the innovation council

The Knoxville Chamber--a dba for Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, according to state records online--was first registered with the state in October 1911, according to records online. Predecessor boards existed as early as 1869.

Innovation perspective: In 1911, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office listed Utility Patent No. 1 Million. In June 2024, USPTO issued patent No. 12 million.  

This story will be updated, as warranted. VNC

.last edited 1214 CDT 1314 EDT 5 August 2026