Jan Martin, second from left, and Ellie Southern, third from left, met with Senator Bill Hagerty and Senator Marsha Blackburn during their visit to the nation’s capital in September.
In September, Domtar representatives joined the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce for a two-day fly-in to Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies supporting the local business community.
“The visit was an invaluable experience for Ellie (Southern) and me,” said Jan Martin, Domtar’s director of U.S. public affairs. “It provided us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the issues affecting the business community in Kingsport. Engaging directly with our legislators, especially Senator (Marsha) Blackburn and Senator (Bill) Hagerty, helps strengthen our community’s voice on the national stage.”
The event, organized by the Kingsport Chamber in collaboration with other chambers from across Tennessee, enabled participants to connect with Tennessee’s U.S. Senate and House delegation, as well as influential national policy organizations.
Throughout the fly-in, participants met with key legislative decision-makers, including the senators’ chiefs of staff. These meetings allowed Martin and Southern, human resources generalist at the Kingsport Mill, to voice the concerns of the city’s local businesses and industries.
During the visit, the group also attended briefings with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Chemistry Council and the National Association of Manufacturers.
