VIP Profile: Julie Milam

Story By: Amelia Bowen

There are certain people in a community who seem to know everyone, connect everything and quietly make things better wherever they go. Julie Milam is one of those people. But her story did not begin that way. Growing up in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Julie learned early on to observe more than she spoke. She became someone who listened closely and paid attention to the world around her, an instinct that would later shape her career in unexpected ways. It was not until she began working in a record store that something shifted. For the first time, people were asking for her opinion, what to listen to, what mattered and what was next. That experience gave her a voice. And once she found it, she never stopped using it. Julie’s early career took her into the music industry, where she worked with major record labels in roles focused on marketing, media and radio promotion. It was a fast paced world built on relationships and storytelling, something that would become a constant throughout her career. She found herself drawn to the behind the scenes work, bringing people together and helping ideas take shape. When Julie and her former husband were deciding where to bring their business, Pool and Spa Depot, Bowling Green stood out for its growth, location and opportunity. Starting fresh in a new city came with challenges, but Julie leaned into the community early, getting involved with the Chamber and connecting with other business owners. “I knew if I wanted to understand this community, I had to be part of it,” she said. That approach quickly became central to how she does business. Julie believes strongly that what you put into something is what you get out of it. “Anything you invest in, the more you give, the more you get,” she said. In Bowling Green, she found a community where that philosophy holds true. Collaboration and connection are part of what makes the city unique, something she now hopes to strengthen even further. Julie’s career eventually led her into media, where she spent 18 years with WNKY News 40, helping local businesses grow through strategy and relationships she had built over time. At the time, the station had no local news presence, and Julie recognized the gap, helping push forward the creation of local news. “I go places where there’s a need,” she said. That drive to build, strengthen and elevate has defined her career. Now, in her role with the Chamber, Julie is stepping into what she sees as one of the most meaningful opportunities of her career. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in a simple idea. People matter. “Every person matters. Every perspective matters,” she said. Julie believes leadership is not one size fits all. Each individual brings something different, and understanding that is key to building strong teams. She also recognizes that people carry more than just their professional responsibilities, which is why she leads with both empathy and accountability. “We win together and we lose together. We are a team and when you work with me, you’re never alone.” For Julie, this role represents a natural next step. She understands what it feels like to be a business owner trying to grow, build connections and find support, and that perspective is shaping how she leads. “I want to be the chamber that fights for every business owner that’s here today and every business that’s planning to come here in the future,” she said. At the center of everything Julie has built is her family. Between her and her husband, Vince, they share a large, blended family with eight children and eight grandchildren, a constant source of support, perspective and joy. Through every transition and opportunity, they have grounded her in what matters most, building a life rooted in connection, purpose and impact. That same sense of responsibility carries into how she shows up for the community she serves. As Bowling Green continues to grow, Julie sees both opportunity and responsibility. With more people and businesses entering the community, she believes the role of the Chamber is more important than ever, to connect, support and advocate. Julie has spent her career stepping into spaces where something needed to be built or strengthened. Now, she is doing that on a larger scale, helping shape the future of a community she has invested in for years. And if her path so far is any indication, she will continue doing what she has always done, showing up, bringing people together and making things better