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Yes, I am leaving the fulltime employment of TCCa to start my own consulting company (for those of you who haven’t heard the news, read this first).
But I’m not going anywhere.
Since “What? … Oh no! … Why? … Congratulations!” seems to be the first four things I here from everyone in the last few days (not always in that order :-), I thought I would help you get them out of the way so I can talk a little about where TCCi has been, where it is now and where it is going.
Settled down yet? Ok. First, as I have oft stated, my job has always been to work my way out of my job. Simply put, the idea, then and now, for “The Creative Coast” is big. REAL big. At a fundamental level, it is bigger than all of us, our region, our town, our community and absolutely bigger than a single organization and especially bigger than any one person. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have been involved, and if it isn’t, then we should think about finding a new idea.
If this idea of a creating a fertile foundation for, and nourishing the essential elements of a higher-wage, innovation-led economy makes any sense at all, it has to be sustainable. In the end, that’s the only thing that counts (pun intended for those of you reading carefully). Simply put; sustainability just means doing those things that make life better, over time, in a way that allows you to continue doing things better.
By definition, anything remotely claiming to be sustainable has to be able to deliver success beyond the political, economic, cultural, organizational and personal lifecycles. My role in the TCCi lifecycle was to articulate a vision, suggest the idea, propose a solution, formulate a plan, execute the initial plan, demonstrate effective results and then hand the baton off to the next runner who has the skills and the stamina to run the next lap faster.
Since TCCi is THE economic sustainability program in Savannah, that is exactly what we did. I did my job, now it is up to Savannah leadership, residents, businesses and organizations, all, to do yours. Your job is to examine the idea, compare it to the results, decide if this is useful and then move forward, backward or sideways depending on your assessment.
Your turn to bat. 
I am quite proud of our accomplishments over the short 48 months of my stewardship. With the support of hundreds of you and a small but very sharp staff, that included Fitz Haile, Angel Ratcliffe and Leigh Lawless, we demonstrated how a new form of innovation-led economic development could create a dynamic community of small, smart businesses that could unlock the higher-wage economic potential in Savannah. By leveraging existing regional assets and creating a collaborative network that included dozens of community partners, we helped to create a new brand for Savannah and an image of the region that positions it to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.
During our brief project span, in addition to…..
- hosting 23 major events
- organizing 20 educational events
- taking on 12 community projects
- completing 16 major initiatives
- and launching one of the region’s busiest web portals and job board…..
TCCi also assisted the attraction, creation and growth of……
- over 25 businesses
- creating more than 200 higher-wage jobs
- generating more than $11.2 million new annual wages into the regional economy.
(a more complete list of projects and activities can be found here)
(180,000+ emails, 2400+ meetings and 1600+ events later) …….. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your enthusiastic support and the faith the community placed in me during the initial launch and development of TCCi over the last 4 years. It has been a wild ride. There is no way any of the incredible success or traction TCCi has had would have been remotely possible without the staunch support and wide latitude you gave me to build something so new, that has had so much positive impact on Savannah. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the community for allowing me to focus exclusively on making Savannah better through higher-wage job creation.
At this point I could go on forever with a list of everyone who has helped (I am eternally grateful to you all and you know who you are) but at least allow me to point out some exceptional individuals without whose support and assistance, TCCi and TCCa just simply would never have happened. First and foremost to Howard Morrison, Rick Winger, Chris Morrill, Steve Stephens, David Frost and Pat Monahan, who formed the TCCi Executive Committee and provided wise counsel and unlimited support.
Mayor Otis Johnson and Pete Liakakis deserve huge kudos for their vision and leadership, as well as the entire City Council and County Commission for their ability to see and willingness to act. Among many others who have offered advice, support and vision, please applaud Brooks Stillwell, Jennifer Abshire, Cora Bett Thomas, Marjorie Young, Brynn Grant, Harvey Ray, Helen Downing, Zelda Tenenbaum, Gordon Mathews, Walter & Linda Evans, Gordon Varnedoe, Tom Kohler, Tom Jones, Jim Bradford, Jim Sanders, Peggy Jolley, Orjan Issacson, Letty Shearer, Paul Pressly, Becky Williams, Page Siplon, Brian Murphy, Sean Brandon, Joe Pasquale, Beth Deering, Robbie Harrison and the entire SEDA Board, and at least 50 others.
And lastly, to those by whose own efforts created the “proof of the pudding”, I include: Bob Franklin, Len Cripe, David Meredith, Hannah Meurer, Susan Issacs, Blake Ellis, Jason Burr, Kirt Witte, Murray Wilson, Peter Kusak, Yvonne Jouffrault, Stratton Leopold, Brian Foster, Tommy Hester, Russ Moore, Jim Emery, Tommy Linstroth, Don Waters, Victor Ermoli, Johan Gustafson, Elizabeth Patterson, Jeff Notrica, Michelle Hunter, Scott Center, Martin Melaver, Tony & Davena Jordon, Christian Sottile, Claude Gallipeault, Shannon James, Scott Tobin, Sam Cook, Sarahlyn Argrow, Jon Kolko, Kelli Pearson & Kristin Russell, Ruel Joyner, Phil Sellers, Katherine Oxnard, Charles Gray, Ken Carter, Michael Brooks, Murem and Tom Sharpe, Harley Lingerfelt, Jerry Cornish, Jim Eckler, and at least 500 others!
The idea remains an exceptional one and is certainly larger than any one person (if it isn’t then you need to get a bigger idea :-). Chuck Stallworth, who will now be heading up the new TCCa organization, is a good friend and an exceptionally talented manager and will bring the skills needed to take TCCa to the next level. I will continue to support and assist Chuck and the great team around him to pursue the goals of a making Savannah safe for smart biz.
With all that said, my own plans are to tackle some new and different projects with the launch of my own consulting business in January. We will specialize in strategic-foresight and planning, to assist communities, businesses and organizations with development of sustainable economic, social & environmental strategies that can adapt to a rapidly changing and increasingly global economy. If you know anyone who could benefit from new thinking, please feel free to send them my way.
While I will be taking on a variety of new projects, I will still be engaged with TCCa as a client and as a partner in ways that all serve to make Savannah better. Special thanks to Chuck and his team of Jamie, Fitz, Angel, and Leigh for keeping the vision alive and moving it forward.
I will look forward to staying in touch with each of you and am happy to help you with any projects or problems you may have where my skills would prove useful. As the baton passes and TCCa moves into the next phase, please give Chuck and his team the same support you gave to me and team TCCi.
Signing out for now.
Your turn to bat.
Arrrrr,
-Chris
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26 Responses to “Yes, I’m leaving…but not going anywhere.”
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Chris,
Congrats on you past and future accomplishments. I am happy you are charging forward to new adventures.
Diana
Chris,
Keep charging forward. The work that you and the rest of TCCi have done to date have been a great asset to our community. Plus, now that you work for yourself you don’t have to wear a tie to work :-)
Chris,
You breathed new life into something that hadn’t quite realized it was dying. For that I will be indebted to you for giving our Savannah wings and the courage to step from the nest in hopes of eventually soaring. Yes, it took a combined effort of many but you were impetus and the catalyst. I look forward being around for your next chapter as the characters are always most engaging!
Cheers my friend,
Meg
Thanks for believing the savannah community could awaken to develop her potential. good luck.
Thanks, Chris. I can now focus on growing my business here, instead of just getting it started so I can move “somewhere better.” And don’t worry, we’ll keep the ball rolling. This is our home.
I wish the best for you in your new endeavors.
Congratulations!
Agree with all of the above…congrats are in order and I for one am genuinely honored and very grateful to have been a part of something so cool for so long. I’m also very excited about being a part of the next step.
But I’m just wondering, when do we get to roast you? Comedy Central presents, the Roast of Chris Miller.
I have some good material. (Hint: Among other things, dilapidated Nokia 8290’s and stone-age palm pilots would be involved.)
Yes! A Roast!
We’ll invite General Oglethorpe, wearing his earbuds and iPod, listening to the most widely circulated podcast in Savannah history… The Chris Miller Interview outside the Gallery Espresso.
http://www.itoursavannah.com/news/podcast/itour_savannah_special_chris_m.php
Aw shucks you folks. Thanx for the kind words and witty riposte. I had waaaay too much fun with this and it was truely an honor to serve at the behest of the best interests of the coolest city in the U.S. How cool is that!
A roast huh? I’m game for anything that involves 8290’s and Vx’s (prefer working models if you can find them).
Phil S. - Wow! That’s an oldie! I had long ago forgotten about that one. Now I’m scared. God only knows what other embarassing audio and video evidence might be lurking out there.
At the end of the day, Savannah only rocks because you all do. Keepin’ it quirky is what its all about and I know for certain I can’t count on you all to keep it strange.
A true inspiration and rain maker! Who started the rumor that Savannah never changes? We have seen many positive with you at the helm. Onward and upward. All the best, Cathy
It’s been an exciting experience to work with Chris, even if briefly. And it’s going to be exciting being part of TCCa as it continues to evolve. It is great to know that we all will continue to benefit from Chris doing what he does best - preaching the coolness, quirkyness, beauty and brains of Savannah to any who will listen!
Cheers!
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Rock on Miller.
In regards to the roast…
Mr. Miller & Mr. Haile, I have a signed and dated document (8/2/05 - yes, I file everything) concerning Data-preneur… Hmmm, need I say more??
A toast to owning your own business! Congratulations Chris Miller -
Thank you Meg, for pointing out my superior fortune-telling skills.
Dude, I believe you owe me a laptop. My powerbook is getting rusty, so I think I’d like another one of those.
And don’t try to get skimpy. I want 2GB of RAM.
Chris - You are THE Man! In a town that doesn’t like a lot of change, you really helped make things change for the better. Congratulations on all your hard work and we’re all looking forward to your new endevours in Savannah! So glad you’re staying here!
De Colores!
Chris,
Thank you for your friendship (you make everyone feel like a friend). My family and I enjoyed our times in Savannah and one day I’ll be able to walk to my office in Savannah and greet Chris on my way there.
I will continue to promote Savannah as a hi-tech destination.
All the best,
Carel — still stuck in Atlanta traffic
I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you Mr. Miller, but I’ve heard enough to form a very positive impression.
Plus, anyone who wears flip-flops with black tie is cool in my book.
Chris, you’re a “way-shower”, a pioneer, a door-opener just to see what’s on the other side! I can hardly wait to see what’s on the other side of the next door - doors - that you open! And being on your own is the ONLY way to be!
Just don’t leave us out of it! We all want to be able to keep up with your thinking, your projects, yur ideas, and be inspired by your passion!
Go for it!
Bon Voyage! I am glad to hear you are sailing off to new adventures. Thank you for all that you have done for south Georgia.
My goodness. If I had only known the news when we were having Coronation at the Mansion and snapped your pic. Well, at least we got the Crown image and photo op.
Best, erica
Kudos to you and your never-waning creative vision - bringing what Savannah is all about, the past and future - to light for essentially the whole world to see. Right out of SCAD almost 10 years ago, I wondered if it was “cool” to stick around here as a creative. With a visionary like you believing in “us”, it has reassured me that darn right it is! Thanks for giving Savannah your best - and now have fun with the biz!
Go home yankee dog!
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