Class X
2023-2024
48 individuals have been named to its 2023–2024 Signature Program Class X. The cohort includes representatives from 14 Tennessee counties with diverse professional experience in the business, government, education and nonprofit sectors. Class X will kick off their program year at RT Lodge in Maryville, TN in August of 2023 and will conclude their program in June of 2024.
Titles and organizations listed are reflective of positions held during program participation.
Carroll County
Joseph Butler, Mayor, Carroll County
Carter County
Patty Woodby, Mayor, Carter County
Davidson County
Adrienne Battle, Superintendent, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Stephen Bland, Chief Executive Officer, WeGo Public Transit
Jennifer Brantley, Managing Partner, MP&F Strategic Communications
Teresa Broyles-Aplin, CEO, Nashville Electric Service
David Steele Ewing, CEO, Nashville History On Tour
Shan Foster, Co-Founder/CEO, Fostering Healthy Solutions, Executive Director, AMEND Together
Charlane Oliver, District 19 State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly
Margie Quin, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Brian Straessle, Executive Director, The Sycamore Institute
Deborah Hennessee Thomas, Executive Vice President, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Troy White, Executive Director, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency
Hamilton County
Demetrus Coonrod, Councilwoman, City of Chattanooga
Cory Gearrin, Deputy Mayor, Hamilton County
Lynda Hood, Executive Director, Chattanooga Bar Association
Aaron Melda, SVP Transmission and Power Supply, TVA
Todd Ray, SVP Government Programs, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Shalin Tejani, President/Managing Director/CEO; Ribbon and Bows Oh My, Horizon
Hospitality Capital, Legacy Dental Group
Johnson County
Scott Andrew, CEO, Retail Service Systems; CEO and Co-founder, Rugged American Spirits/Tennessee Hills, Rugged Holdings
Knox County
Gabriel Bolas, President and CEO, Knoxville Utilities Board
Amy Cathey, Associate Dean, Graduate and Executive Education, Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee Knoxville
David Colquitt, Owner, The Swag
Becky Hancock, Executive Director, Historic Tennessee Theatre
Larsen Jay, Commissioner, Knox County Commission
Renee Kelly, Director of Boundless, Clayton Homes
Parinda Khatri, CEO, Cherokee Health Systems
David Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, University of Tennessee System
Madison County
Edward Jackson, District 25 State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly
Mandy White, Chief Economic Development Officer, Greater Jackson Chamber
McMinn County
Tyler Forrest, President, Tennessee Wesleyan University
Montgomery County
Wes Golden, Mayor, Montgomery County
Walt Lord, Vice President for Military and Veterans Affairs, Austin Peay State University
Putnam County
Konstantin Yepifantsev, CEO, Home Caregivers
Rhea County
John Bamber, Executive Director, Rhea Economic and Tourism Council, Inc.
Shelby County
Trevia Chatman, President, Bank of America Memphis
Holly Coleman, Program Director for High Quality Education, Hyde Family Foundation
La Sonya Hall, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Shelby County Government
Russell Ingram, Chief Operating Officer, Epicenter Memphis
Dan Springer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, City of Memphis
Ignacio Vincentelli, Chief Counsel North American Container, International Paper Company
Sullivan County
Beth Rhinehart, President and CEO, Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce
Darla Scott, EVP and CFO, Bank of Tennessee
Subhashini Vashisth, Group Leader, Corporate Innovation, Eastman Chemical Company
Williamson County
Noni Ellison, SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Tractor Supply Company
Laquita Stribling, Vice President, Randstad USA
Burton Williams, CEO, The Ayers Foundation
Mark Yancy, Chief Executive Officer, NashvilleHealth