LEADERSHIP TENNESSEE NEWSLETTER
10/05/23

Signature Program Update

Class X (“The PERFECT 10”) of Leadership Tennessee’s Signature Program kicked off their program year in Maryville, TN, at the RT Lodge for their Opening Retreat. Class X, the largest class ever, has 48 class members and represents 14 counties across our state. You can read about Class X here and access Leadership Tennessee’s directory by joining as an Annual Member or join our Lifetime Membership Hall of Fame. LT Signature - LT NEXT - Donations

Class X visited the Appalachian Highlands for a 24-hour immersive experience which began on September 24th. This visit was special because Class X visited Jonesborough, TN – the oldest town in Tennessee and the Storytelling Capital of the World! They had a quick tour of Jonesborough before heading to Kingsport (Bays Mountain, Eastman Chemical Company) for context setting for the region. Next, they visited Johnson City for select programming and dinner at the Tennessee Hills Brewstillery with private chef and culinary artist, Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire. Monday’s session began with a visit to Bristol Motor Speedway for the “BMS Experience” and track laps! Their final stop was select programming and lunch at Milligan University. You can view the Instagram reel here.

Many thanks to the Appalachian Highlands planning committee members and alumni for participating in the programming: Scott Andrew, Class X; Vanessa Bennett, Class IX; Miles Burdine, Class V; Jerry Caldwell, Class IV; Andy Dietrich, Class IX; Bill Greer, Class IV; David Golden, LT Board Chair, LT Class III; Kimberly McCorkle, Class IX; Brian Noland, Class III; Rob Pack, Class VIII; Beth Rhinehart, Class X; Lottie Ryans, Class VII; Aundrea Salyer, Class VI; Darla Scott, Class X; Patty Woodby, Class X.

Next stop is Memphis, TN, on November 12th-13th for Session II of their program year.

Subhashini Vashisth, SP Class X

Subhashini is a proud mother of two daughters and Group Leader, Corporate Innovation, where she leads Polymer Synthesis and Applications group to initiate and execute projects to fill the innovation pipeline and support the polymer-based technology platforms within Eastman. She joined Eastman in 2015 as Senior Chemical Engineer in Kingsport, TN.

Subhashini received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Delhi. She has received numerous awards for teaching excellence and has authored more than 40 professional publications with more than 2200+ citations. As a dedicated advocate for women in engineering, Subhashini has presented at numerous international conferences and symposiums. For her passion, dedication and work, she was awarded “Paradigm for Parity, Women on the Rise award, Catalysts International Org, 2021.

What is one thing you're working on that you'd like our membership to know about?

American Institute of Chemical Engineering Society (AIChE) (since 2018) and Science and Engineering Judge - MATE -ROV Competition (2021): I am an active member of AIChE Rising Star Women Engineers Leadership program, which is a part of the AIChE all for good program aimed at advancing women in engineering. I also volunteer as a Science and Engineering Judge for the MATE ROV competition, a global student underwater robotics with regional contestants across different parts of the world involving educational institutions and organizations.

What are you hopeful about in regard to Tennessee's future?

Eastman’s circular economy: Eastman is on the verge of launching the world’s largest material-to-material molecular recycling facility at our Kingsport, Tennessee, manufacturing site. We have qualified more than 100 sources of waste, primarily within a 150-mile radius to adopt localized approach and reduce the carbon-footprint. By utilizing over 110 KMT of plastic waste as a feedstock, we are preventing it from being disposed of in landfills, being incinerated, or ending up in the environment.  This equates to approximately 11 billion water bottles, 790 million polyester shirts, or 2.7 billion shampoo bottles.

Eastman’s Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) Strategy: The I&D strategy is centered on four strategic pillars: mitigating unconscious bias, fostering an inclusive culture, building inclusive teams, and accelerating diversity in leadership. Each pillar has target objectives designed to build an inclusive, diverse, and high-performing organization.

Roan Regional Leadership Program (since 2017): I serve on the Roan Regional interview committee, which identifies and develops students with exceptional leadership potential for the Roan Scholars Leadership program at East Tennessee State University. I have the opportunity to read the stories of talented students, conduct interview and participate in the selection process.

Lead Undivided:  I am the chair of the new initiative from Kingsport Chamber aiming to create a safe and welcoming community by advocating for fair treatment, resources and opportunities for everyone. It focuses on activating diversity, promotion equity and leading inclusively. 

Kevin Adelsberger, LTN Class IV

Kevin Adelsberger is the founder and managing partner of Adelsberger Marketing where they make creative work that grows their clients’ businesses in a culture that values their team and community of Jackson, Tennessee. Kevin is also a Cofounder of Our Jackson Home and serves on the board of theCO, and an advisory committee for Leadership Tennessee NEXT and previously was the president of the board for Madison County CASA. In 2019 Adelsberger Marketing sold a portion of ownership to ATA CPAs & Advisors., and became a member of their Family of Firms. 

In 2015, Kevin graduated from the Jackson Chamber’s Leadership Jackson program. In 2016, Kevin was recognized as an emerging leader by Leadership Jackson. In 2017, Adelsberger Marketing was named the Emerging Business of the Year by the Jackson Chamber.  In 2020, Union University gave Kevin recognition for Distinguished Achievement in Arts and media. In 2022 Kevin graduated from Leadership Tennessee NEXT and UT Martin’s WestStar leadership program. 

Kevin lives in Jackson with his wife and business partner Renae and their children. They are involved members of First Baptist Church, Jackson. They are also some of the few to cheer on the Minnesota Vikings from below the Mason-Dixon line.

What is one thing you're working on that you'd like our membership to know about?

We are having three free webinars this fall and the topics are time management, brainstorming, and a 90 day content plan. (https://kadelsberger.com/webinars/)

What are you hopeful about in regards to Tennessee's future?

That our continued economic growth will translate into better lives for all Tennesseans.