Connection and collaboration vital for new Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce director

Cheryl Hyde emphasizes strong relationships as building blocks of unified community

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 6, 2025

Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cheryl Hyde, hired last February by the nonprofit organization, is focusing on connection and collaboration in her new role. Photo by Fred McCormick

Conversations are easy for Cheryl Hyde. The Georgia native’s relaxed and engaging demeanor encourages clear and open communication.

That skill set, one of many Hyde brings to her new position as executive director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, plays a prominent role in Hyde’s plan to strengthen the between the nonprofit organization and the community it serves.

The former membership director and event coordinator with the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce stepped into the office, Feb. 24. Hyde is the third person to lead the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber since August of 2023, following the Jan. 27 departure of her predecessor, Melinda Hester, who held the position for one year.

While Hyde moved to the area two years ago to be closer to her parents, she had long been familiar with the Swannanoa Valley.

“This has been my favorite place my whole life,” she said. “My family had a place in Montreat when I was a kid, and we were up here every chance we had, whether it was weekends, summers or vacations.”

The opportunity to lead the local chamber of commerce represents the alignment of two passions, according to Hyde.

“I love the Swannanoa Valley and I love chamber work,” she said. “When I was told this position was open, I knew it would be perfect.”

At the request of the chamber board, Hyde stepped in to “steer the ship” when the director’s office was vacant. She was hired to fill the position permanently the following month.

“The board knew I had history doing this kind of work, and I’ve also served as a volunteer at other chambers, so I have a few different perspectives,” she said. “The most important job I have right now is to be on what I call a listening tour. I’m already meeting with multiple people everyday and finding out what they want from the chamber, what they wish we already had and what we can do better.”

Establishing a vision for the chamber will require a multi-step process informed by direct feedback from local stakeholders, according to Hyde.

“It’s so important to learn what’s really needed here,” she said. “I’m not interested in bringing in my own way of doing things, and I don’t want to be perceived as a person who comes here and tells people how things need to be done. Instead, I want to hear from as many people as possible and learn how to best support them.”

Welcoming honest feedback from chamber members and non-members is a priority for the director.

“I’m looking for opportunities to talk to anybody, whether they love or hate the chamber,” she said. “I need to hear what people have to say to truly understand their expectations.”

Under the director’s leadership, the chamber is creating new networking opportunities like the Business Club, which meets in the Visitor Center every Wednesday from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. The weekly gatherings are designed to connect like-minded business owners and representatives in a structured, collaborative environment.

The organization will continue to present Business After Hours on the fourth Thursday of each month. The event includes giveaways and refreshments, and returns from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 27, when it will be hosted by Sneed & Stearns Attorneys at Law.

A volunteer ambassador program, which maintains consistent communication with local businesses, is among the initiatives being introduced by Hyde. The ultimate goal is to reinvigorate and nurture a business community that thrives through collaboration.

“I’m looking forward to, probably a year down the road, figuring out what everyone wants and needs, and being able to find the right connections for them,” Hyde said. “I want to help people make the right connections that help the community, as a whole.”

That includes exploring opportunities to increase support in Swannanoa, following Tropical Storm Helene.

“We want to be sure both communities, Black Mountain and Swananoa, are thriving because of the neighboring community,” Hyde said. “The tagline I use is ‘unity in the community.’ It’s kind of cheesy, but it is exactly what we need. We have all these diverse businesses in the Swannanoa Valley, and building that bridge between them is something a chamber should do.”