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Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants

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1 year ago

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Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants


Leadership Tennessee announced the participants in the 11th class of its yearly program, which brings together leaders from around the state to address concerns Tennessee faces.

Leadership Tennessee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying leaders from throughout the state to address critical issues and in a constructive and nonpartisan way. The 2024-2025 Signature Program Class XI consists of 48 people from 14 different counties across Tennessee, each representing distinct organizations and professional experiences.

The cohort will spend 10 months traveling the state to study the challenges Tennessee faces and work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities to improve.

“We are proud to challenge our cohorts to think critically about advancing our state in a variety of areas,” Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, said in a news release. “This class in particular will experience the program at the height of this year’s election. This will no doubt lead to even deeper and more thoughtful dialogue as state and federal discourse will be spiking in this moment.”

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Leadership Tennessee’s 2024-2025 Signature Program Class XI participants

The following are listed alphabetically by county.

Davidson County

  • Jill Ayers, Judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
  • Monty Burks, Deputy Director of Governors Faith Based and Community Initiative, Office of the Governor
  • Clay Bright, CEO, Megasite Authority of West Tennessee
  • Nikki Burdine, News Anchor, WKRN
  • Brooxie Carlton, Assistant Commissioner, Community and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
  • Joe Carrico, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Kate Chinn, Partner, MP&F
  • Natalie Cooper, President and CEO, Wellpoint TN
  • Steven Gentile, Executive Director, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
  • Erin Hafkenschiel, President, ThinkTennessee
  • Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director, ONE Community and Titans Foundation, Tennessee Titans
  • Bert McCarter, Attorney, McCarter East PLLC
  • Martesha Johnson Moore, Chief Public Defender, Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender’s Office
  • Karl Sprules, Chief Operating Officer, AllianceBernstein
  • Carey Whitworth, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, University of Tennessee System
  • Russell Ziecker, Executive Vice President, Head of Global TV Music, LIONSGATE and STARZ

Gibson County

  • Tina Prescott, Chief Operating Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare

Hamilton County

  • Casey Dungan, President and CEO, BlueCare Tennessee
  • Evann Freeman, Vice President, Government and Community Relations, EPB Chattanooga
  • Ian Leavy, Assistant General Counsel, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Joe Riley, Founder/Owner, Patriot Family Homes and Quail Run Farm
  • Mina Sartipi, Professor, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Knox County

  • Ben Bentley, CEO, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
  • Jan Brown, VP, Talent and Culture, Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Clarice Phelps, Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Grant Rosenberg, Chief Operating Officer, City of Knoxville
  • Tammy White, President/CEO, Leadership Knoxville

Madison County

  • Monte Cooper, President and CEO, Jackson Energy Authority
  • Carol Rothstein, President, Jackson State Community College

Montgomery County

  • Lee Harrell, Chief of Staff, Montgomery County
  • Kimberly Wiggins, County Trustee, Montgomery County Government

Roane County

  • Bob Eby, Chairman, Tennessee State Board of Education

Robertson County

  • Zane Seals, Chief Financial Officer, Division of TennCare

Rutherford County

  • Dawn White, District 13 State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly

Shelby County

  • Kemp Conrad, Principal, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Advisors, LLC
  • Michalyn Easter-Thomas, Memphis City Councilwoman, City of Memphis
  • Michael Fulton, Director of Government Affairs and Business Diversity Development, Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority
  • Tiffany Legington Graham, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, National Civil Rights Museum
  • Phillip May, President (Memphis), Pinnacle Financial Partners
  • Johnny Moore, Jr., Tennessee Regional President, Truist Financial
  • Chandell Ryan, President and CEO, Downtown Memphis Commission
  • Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis

Smith County

  • Bryan Wright, Executive Vice President, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Sullivan County

  • Carla Karst, Principal and Founder, Landstar and Workforce Homes Foundation
  • Frank Lett, President and Chief Tourism Officer, Visit Kingsport

Sumner County

  • Chassen Haynes, Regional Manager, U.S. State and Local Government Affairs, Ford Motor Company

Williamson County

  • Matt Largen, President and CEO, Williamson, Inc.
  • Mia McNeil, State Director, AARP Tennessee



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LIVE: KSR’s Rapid Reaction after Kentucky’s rout of Tennessee Tech

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18 hours ago

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November 15, 2025

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LIVE: KSR’s Rapid Reaction after Kentucky’s rout of Tennessee Tech


That was fun. Kentucky took care of business on Senior Day in a big way, beating Tennessee Tech 42-10. Nick Roush and Adam Luckett are live outside Kroger Field to talk about it on another happy KSR Rapid Reaction.

There was a lot to like from today’s win, but I imagine Nick and Adam will start with Cutter Boley’s play. The redshirt freshman quarterback was spectacular, finishing 18-21 for 236 yards and a passing touchdown and another touchdown on the ground on a 30-yard scramble. Cutter’s quarterback rating today was 195.8. Yes, that was against an FCS squad, but you couldn’t ask for much more from him or the Cats today. Kentucky is now 5-5 with road games at No. 14 Vanderbilt and No. 20 Louisville to close the season.

That’s enough from me. Hear more about the win from Nick and Adam below.

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More Postgame Content on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.



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East Tennessee high school football playoff scoreboard | Scores & highlights from round two

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1 day ago

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November 15, 2025

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East Tennessee high school football playoff scoreboard | Scores & highlights from round two


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Round two of the high school football playoffs is in the books. Check out scores from across East Tennessee by classification below.

Highlights from every game our Varsity All Access cameras were at are also posted below.

Watch Varsity All Access each Friday at 11:00 all season long on WVLT.

CLASS 6A

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Maryville 47, Riverdale 18

Riverdale at Maryville

CLASS 5A

Sevier County 42, Walker Valley 7

Halls 42, Lawrence County 14

Lincoln County 39, Powell 37

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Lincoln County at Powell

Central 38, Columbia 28

CLASS 4A

Greeneville 35, White County 0

White County at Greeneville

Anderson County 44, Stone Memorial 14

Stone Memorial at Anderson County

Red Bank 34, Gibbs 7

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Gibbs at Red Bank

Alcoa 49, Upperman 28

CLASS 3A

Gatlinburg-Pittman 35, Forrest 14

CLASS 2A

Eagleton 17, Grundy County 6

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Grundy County at Eagleton

Marion County 35, South Greene 0

Gordonsville 21, Oneida 6

CLASS 1A

Coalfield 39, Jo Byrns 14

Sale Creek 22, Rockwood 14

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South Pittsburg 49, Oliver Springs 0

Clay County 52, Midway 21

DIVISION II-AAA

Baylor 35, Knoxville Catholic 7

Knoxville Catholic at Baylor

DIVISION II-AA

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Battle Ground Academy 42, Grace Christian Academy 14

BGA at GCA

Lausanne 35, CAK 6

Copyright 2025 WVLT. All rights reserved.



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What Nashville’s top ‘Emerging Trends’ ranking means for the city’s growth | Opinion

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2 days ago

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November 14, 2025

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What Nashville’s top ‘Emerging Trends’ ranking means for the city’s growth | Opinion


People want to move to Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and the region continues to experience rapid growth. But challenges remain, along with the opportunity to shape its development.

Jennifer Carlat
 |  Guest Columnist

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  • Nashville ranked sixth in the nation among “markets to watch” in the latest Emerging Trends in Real Estate® report.
  • A welcoming regulatory environment, trained workforce, and strong domestic migration contribute to Nashville’s high ranking.
  • Continued growth creates jobs and funds public services, but also requires addressing housing and infrastructure needs.

The Urban Land Institute and PwC recently released the 47th annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate® report and for the eleventh year, Nashville made the top ten “markets to watch” this year at number six.  

Nashvillians don’t need a report to alert them that Nashville and Middle Tennessee continue to grow and develop at an astonishing rate, for an incredibly long run. We see the cranes, carefully make our way through construction zones, meet new neighbors and co-workers, and marvel (and sometimes mutter) at new offices, residential developments, hotels, retail and restaurants. 

The challenges that come with Nashville’s continued growth 

So, what does the Emerging Trends Report tell us? 

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First, while Nashville’s growth may appear to be going like gangbusters, there is significant uncertainty facing those who invest in development, as well as the architects, engineers, developers, construction workers, and many others involved in creating new development. The report notes several issues. All of which are present in Nashville, including the following: 

  • Economic and financial issues, such as interest rates and the cost of capital, concerns about job and income growth, and, of course, inflation. 
  • Issues specific to development, including the cost and availability of labor; federal, state and local regulations and where they conflict; and increasing operating costs driven by tariffs and inflation. 
  • Finally, social and political issues impacting development include immigration policy, which affects both the workforce and demand for new development; the cost and availability of housing; and the divide between political parties. 

What Nashville and Middle Tennessee have going for them

Second, the report highlights why Nashville again made the top ten — what trends, decisions and investments we have going for us. As the report notes, demand for new homes, offices, industrial and retail spaces is driven by demographics, immigration and domestic migration.  

The Sun Belt, and Nashville in particular, continues to be welcoming for jobs and residents. While many Sun Belt cities have seen their 2021-2022 migration slow significantly, Nashville and Middle Tennessee continue to experience strong domestic migration.   

Why?  

Opinion: From espresso to sweet tea, and why I traded Italy for Tennessee

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Nashville and Middle Tennessee are known for having both a moderate climate and a welcoming regulatory and tax environment. We boast access to the Southeast and the country. We have a trained workforce and a number of colleges and universities educating the next generation. We’re also known for valuing creativity and being welcoming. For all these reasons and more, we continue to draw new residents, which drives growth. 

We know, then, that Nashville and Middle Tennessee continuously rank highly for both investment and development, and we have some ideas on why.  

The connection between growth and quality of life 

But what does this mean for our city? 

Investment, development and growth impact all Nashvillians and Middle Tennesseans. On a very basic level, these are jobs. Jobs in investing, building, using and re-using buildings. Each of these jobs pays our neighbors, who invest their wages back into Nashville through restaurants, stores, services and other local businesses, creating even more jobs.  

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Growth leads to quality of life, but not only in a physical way. 

Do you like the building? Does it feel welcoming? Does it add to the neighborhood?  

But growth also improves quality of life as it circulates wages, creates demand for new jobs, and adds to the city’s coffers to buy services such as parks, libraries, fire stations and police departments that we value. 

Meanwhile, how we undertake investment, development and growth also impacts each of us. Our city has had recent, sometimes tough, conversations on investing in transportation and transit. We’ve discussed whether to allow new types of housing to address our housing shortage. We’ve considered how to invest in aging infrastructure as we serve current residents and accommodate new residents and businesses.  

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What Nashville’s ranking really means and the work ahead 

As the executive director of ULI Nashville, representing our 1,100+ members in all disciplines related to land use and development, I am thrilled that Nashville once again made the top ten “markets to watch” across the US in the Emerging Trends in Real Estate®. I’m happy about what it signals for our members, especially in a moment like 2025, when there is a lot of uncertainty.  

But I am more focused on what the ranking means — what Nashville’s strength means — for how ULI Nashville, our partners and Nashvillians can work together to harness and shape growth in our city.   

Opinion: Tennessee has a housing problem. Here’s how you can help

A high ranking feels validating, but we all know that maintaining this pace of growth — while trying to preserve our welcoming culture, watch out for our neighbors and consider what changes are coming and how we can prepare — is a challenge.  

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ULI Nashville and its members are here to be partner. We want to connect, inspire and lead. We are bringing our perspective to the tough conversations about how we grow and strengthen Nashville. The Emerging Trends in Real Estate® report is just the beginning. The real work is in conversations on mobility, housing, infrastructure and creating places Nashvillians deserve. 

Jennifer Carlat is the executive director of ULI Nashville, A trusted convener, collaborator communicator and educator of best practices on all aspects of city building. 



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