Duncan Williams, interim CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, will help guide the organization during its search for a permanent successor. The chamber has retained executive recruiting firm Jorgenson Pace to lead the national search. (Courtesy Greater Memphis Chamber/Facebook)

The Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for a “visionary leader,” the pro-business nonprofit announced on July 9.

Memphis-based financial executive and part owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, Duncan Williams, is currently filling in as interim leader. No timeline was given for his successor. The hire will be based on the best available candidate.

The hunt for a new leader follows the sudden departure of previous chamber CEO Ted Townsend, who resigned in April.

The chamber has retained recruiting firm Jorgenson Pace to lead the search. The Greensboro, N.C.-based nonprofit began accepting applications on June 9. An executive search committee will make the eventual hire.

Along with foresight, the chamber is seeking candidates that can promote trust between government agencies, the business community and the community at-large. Backgrounds in regional economic development and strategic growth are also must-haves.

At the time of his resignation, Townsend stated he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Ted Townsend, former CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, resigned from the position in April. Townsend’s departure followed more than two years leading the chamber’s economic development and business recruitment efforts. (Courtesy Greater Memphis Chamber/Facebook)

However, the former University of Memphis chief economic development officer’s resignation followed a controversial social media exchange with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith. A March 16, First Take segment by the ESPN personality speculated on a Grizzlies relocation to Nashville.

“F you @stephenasmith You were invited by our mayor to visit and you never did. Tells us enough about your sorry a* takes. You have zero authority to judge and assess Memphis. Go Grizz,” responded Townsend on X.

The pointed missive elicited a local firestorm. Townsend quickly deleted the post and apologized.

Townsend’s departure also invited scrutiny into the chamber’s executive compensation. From 2022-2024, the ex-CEO’s base salary more than doubled from $302,000 to more than $720,000. The boost included a 92% adjustment in 2024.

He wasn’t alone. Overall executive compensation increased by 25%. The raises coincided with increased revenue at the chamber. The pro-business non-profit brought in $10.8 million in 2023.

The recruitment of the controversial xAI (now SpaceAXI) Colossus Supercomputer to Southwest Memphis is largely credited with the spike. Townsend also established a number of public-private partnerships that led to the opening of the University of Memphis Research Foundation Park.