Ralph Schulz

RALPH SCHULZ, a former president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is to take-up new duties as executive in residence (EIR) within Lipscomb University's College of Leadership and Public Service (CLPS) on July 1.

Lipscomb President Candice McQueen PhD communicated Schulz's appointment and other leadership actions in correspondence to faculty, administration and staff, March 26.

News of Schulz's appointment comes two months after the university launched LUInnovate, and appointed its first innovation officer, as reported here.

Schulz previously led the nationally recognized Chamber for 18 years before passing the Chamber baton to successor Stephanie Coleman, as reported here.

On Schulz's watch, the Chamber played essential roles in creating the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and the Music City Center convention facility, as well as advocating for improved public education and publishing increasingly rigorous business, workforce, econometric and related data of value, regionally and beyond.

Steve Joiner

Queried on Friday VNC, Schulz confirmed his appointment and said refinement of his EIR priorities will begin in earnest July 1, when he begins work with CLPS Dean Steve Joiner.

Schulz added he believes that, going in, his primary responsibilities will include assisting CLPS Dean Joiner in planning for Lipscomb's Institute for Conflict Management, of which Joiner is both professor and executive director.

VNC research suggests Schulz's role could include collaboration with Jerold Givens, who is chief revenue officer (CRO) for both LU and Lipscomb Academy; and, with LU CFO Jeff Baughn, among others.

In addition to other priorities that emerge, Schulz said he is looking forward to serving as a resource for faculty and students engaged in some master's and undergraduate-level studies.

Particularly given its education context, Schulz said he views the EIR job as "an assembly of things that I would probably have done for nothing."

Asked how long the Lipscomb move had been cooking, Schulz said that, while he had long planned to take on projects selectively after departing the Chamber, he had not discussed opportunities within Lipscomb's CLPS prior to his Chamber departure.

His primary contact during early exploration of the EIR role was with the CLPS's Joiner, whom he has known through Chamber circles for years.

Dr. Candice McQueen

Schulz said his enthusiasm for the EIR opportunity is further heightened by the fact that he has long known LU President McQueen, largely as a result of the Chamber's involvement in K-12 education issues and McQueen's earlier roles as Tennessee Commissioner of Education, as dean of the LU College of Education, and as founding executive director of the LU-based Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation.

Prior to joining the Nashville Chamber as CEO in 2006 at age 54, Schulz spent three decades in nonprofit management, marketing and fundraising roles.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Schulz's earlier career in the nonprofit sector began with Junior Achievement (JA) of Nashville, which led to two decades' work with JA, including leading chapters in Dallas, New York City and Jackson, Miss., as well as serving as national JA's executive vice president, based in Colorado Springs.

He returned to Nashville in 1996 for C-level duties with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Before joining the Chamber, he served six years as CEO of Nashville's Adventure Science Center.

Schulz has also held leadership roles with the Adventure Science Center and the National Federation of Independent Business, and has served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards.

He was recently named the 2025 recipient of the Jack B. Turner Regionalism Award by Leadership Middle Tennessee.

His other civic and nonprofit contributions have included service as a member of boards of the Tennessee Business Roundtable and Father Ryan High School, as well as involvement with Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the NashvilleNEXT steering committee, and the Metro Transportation Authority strategic plan advisory committee.

A native Nashvillian, he and his wife have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Earlier VNC coverage of Lipscomb. Prior coverage of Schulz. VNC

last edited 0944 31 March 2025