Tennessee

Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

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.”

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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Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

18 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Tennessee

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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