Class VIII
2021-2022
The longest class to date, Class VIII was selected in June of 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Class VIII kicked off their class year with a series of virtual engagement opportunities before gathering together at the Sewanee Inn in August of 2021. Class VIII’s program year will complete in June of 2022.
Class VIII consists of 36 leaders from various industry sectors across Tennessee. The new class members represent each Grand Division. See below for the extended list of Class VIII members.
Titles and organizations listed are reflective of positions held during program participation.
Jacky akbari
Managing Principal
Worthington Advisory
Nashville
michael banks
Attorney
Haywood County and City of Brownsville Attorney
Brownsville
Julie Bennett
Vice President and General Counsel
Bristol Motor Speedway, LLC
Kingsport
Jerri bryant
Chancellor
State of Tennessee
Athens
latanya channel
State Director
US Small Business Administration
Old Hickory
marshall crawford
President & CEO
The Housing Fund
Nashville
Adam Dickson
Director
Langston Centre, City of Johnson City
Jonesborough
tracy guarino
CEO
Guarino Advisors
Nashville
ryan hughes
Executive Director
Tennessee Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee
Knoxville
jim lancaster
Market Medical Executive
Cigna
Franklin
linda latimer
ETSU Chair of Board of Trustees
Johnson City
linda martin
Vice President - Academic Affairs & Student Success
The University of Tennessee System
Knoxville
KeeKee mathis
Senior Leader, Supplier Sustainability and Diversity
Trane Industries
Chattanooga
Jeannette mills
Executive Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer
Tennessee Valley Authority
Knoxville
sara morrison
Executive Director
Tennessee State Board of Education
Nashville
Jennifer Nichols
Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
Nashville
Rob pack
Professor, Associate Dean & Center Director
ETSU College of Public Health
Johnson City
Carey Parker
CEO
LHP Capital
Knoxville
Mandy pellegrin
Policy Director
The Sycamore Institute
Nashville
Reginald porter, jr.
SVP, Corporate Social Responsibility/Chief Diversity Officer
ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis
David roddy
Retired Chief of Police
Chattanooga Police Department
Chattanooga
jason schmitt
CEO
Old Time Pottery
Murfreesboro
james shamiyeh
Senior Vice-President and Chief Quality Officer
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Knoxville
jonathan skrmetti
Chief Deputy Attorney General
Tennessee Attorney General's Office
Nashville
laura smith
Vice President - General Counsel
Nashville Electric Service
Nashville
zulfat suara
Executive Director/ Councilmember at Large
Meharry Medical College/Metro Council of Nashville & Davidson County
Nashville
Deniece Thomas
Deputy Commissioner
State of Tennessee
Mount Juliet
john tolsma
CEO
Knowledge Launch
Knoxville
brad turner
Commissioner
Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Smyrna
nancy vanreece
Councilmember | VP Public Affairs & Biz Dev
Nashville & Davidson Co | Roots Productions, LLC
Nashville
Kevin Vaughan
Founder
Township Development Services
Collierville
laura ward
Senior Vice President, Talent Development
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Nashville
Bo Watson
Senator
Tennessee General Assembly
Hixson
Craig Weiss
Tower Ventures
Memphis
andrea willis
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Chattanooga
joe woolley
CEO
Nashville LGBT Chamber
Nashville