Feb. 13, 2013 — Michelle Wilhoit is tiny, but fierce.
The Carter County native is quick to laugh, has a smile and a wave for everyone, and spends most of her time helping others.
Wilhoit is an East Carter grad with a passion for Grayson. In addition to being the business development officer and assistant vice president of the First National Bank of Grayson, she also is also the new president of the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce.
She started going to Chamber meetings in 2004 but didn't really plug connect until 2007 when she became co-chair of Funtoberfest.
“It was so much fun to see that we could put something together that people could enjoy, and its free,” Wilhoit told the Journal-Times. “That’s when I realized that I wanted to be more involved in the community.”
She became the Chamber’s vice president in 2009 and again in 2011. Now, as president, she is excited about the next two years.
“I am very passionate about working with the youth of the community,” Wilhoit said. “I will be focusing a lot of my energy on a new program for the leaders of tomorrow.”
Like most women in the business world, Wilhoit is wearing several different hats. As a person that tries to see the sunny side of everything, Wilhoit said her positive outlook is the key to her success.
“I’m a hyper person and I like to be busy or I feel like I’m not being productive,” Wilhoit said. “I'd love to be an organized person. I love it when things are really well organized. I just wish I had the time to do it.”
She credits her personal growth in part to her husband, attorney Will Wilhoit, who calls himself her “executive assistant.”
“I don’t like to say ‘no’ when people ask me to do things for the community and sometimes I take on too much,” Wilhoit admitted. “I like a challenge and I want to get things done and Will really helps me with that.”
Wilhoit has a passion for music, a hobby and talent she gets to use weekly at Gregoryville Christian Church where she helps her husband with praise and worship.
“I've been singing since I was a little girl,” Wilhoit said. “I don’t know that I am good at it but I love singing all types of music.”
And with big ideas in her head and a song in her heart, Wilhoit says she is ready to take on the challenge of helping her hometown grow.
Leeann Akers can be reached at lakers@journal-times.com or by phone at 474-5101.
