 F. Whitfield Addicks
Partner
Addicks CPA Firm, LLP
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., Master of Accountancy, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Chairman of board of deacons, young adult minister pastor nominating cmte., Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church; board member, treasurer, president, Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding; treasurer, Rotary Club of Knoxville; board member, president, The Wellness Community – East TN; board member, Helen Ross McNabb Center Foundation; member, Nucleus Knoxville; classroom volunteer, Junior Achievement
Awards/Honors: Four Way Test Rotarian of the Year, 2004
 Foster Arnett
Knox County Clerk
Knox County
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Chair, deacon, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church; unit commissioner, Boy Scouts of America; board member, Sertoma Center; president, Knoxville News Sentinel Charities; founder, president, National Information Officer’s Assoc.; board Chair, Ijams Nature Center; member, Partners In Education- Sequoyah Elementary School
Awards/Honors: Unit Commissioner, Boy Scouts of America
 Virginia Babb
Branch Director
East Tennessee Arthritis Foundation
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Education: B.A., Arch. History, University of Virginia; M.B.A., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, SEF treasurer, chair-Annual Benefit, Sequoyah Elementary Foundation; executive cmte., Ways & Means chair, Partners in Education chair, Coupon Book chair, Spoleto chair, room mother, Sequoyah Elementary PTA; volunteer, Introduction Knoxville; Parenting Center chair, treasurer, board of directors, financial director, Advisory Board chair, Junior League of Knoxville; Talahi Plant Sale chair, Garden Study Club; sunday school teacher, Sequoyah Presbyterian Church; Vacation Bible School chair, Flower Guild, St. John’s Cathedral
 Wendy Besmann
President/Owner
Melton Hill Media, LLC
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Education: B.S., San Francisco State University
Community/Professional Affiliations: President, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Knoxville; steering cmte., Knox Youth Transition Council; member, State Mental Health Planning & Policy Council; outreach, website, special event cmte., Heska Amuna Synagogue; board member, Knoxville Jewish Alliance; member, Autism Society of America (East TN Chapter)
Awards/Honors: Fred Sackleh Personal Courage Award, NAMI Tennessee, 2008; Radical Parenting.com’s 50 Best Parenting Books, 2009
 Jeremy Biggs
Chief Administrative Officer
Mercy Health Partners
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S. Business, The University of Tennessee; M.D., Medical College of Virginia
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, United Way of Greater Knoxville; board member, Wellness Community; member, Powell Business & Professional Assoc.; board member, American Heart Assoc.; volunteer, Junior Achievement
Awards/Honors: Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; “40 under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal
 Jerry Burgess
President/CEO
HealthCare 21 Business Coalition
Hometown: Hartselle, AL
Education: B.A., Grace Bible College; B.S., University of Memphis; A.S., State Technical Institute, Memphis; M.B.A, University of Cincinnati
Community/Professional Affiliations: Cmte. chair, St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church; board of governors, executive cmte., National Business Coalition on Health; United Way of Greater Knoxville; guest lecturer, The University of Tennessee; board member, Interfaith Health Clinic; member, Rotary Club of Knoxville; elder, Fellowship Evangelical Church
Awards/Honors: Leadership Award, South Carolina Business Coalition; Leadership Award, Florida HealthCare Coalition
 David Butler
Executive Director
Knoxville Museum of Art
Hometown: Rockledge, FL
Education: B.A., M.A., Florida State University; Ph.D., Washington University, St. Louis
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, Arts & Culture Alliance; museum assessment program and accreditation program, peer reviewer, 2008 annual meeting program cmte., American Assoc. of Museums; board secretary, Assoc. of College and University Museums and Galleries
Awards/Honors: Excellence In Peer Review Service Award, 2004
 Deanene Catani
Director of Marketing
Knoxville News Sentinel
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., Carson Newman College
Community/Professional Affiliations: Executive director, Empty Stocking Fund, Milk Fund, Free Flu Shot Saturday-Knox News Sentinel Charities; board of directors, Knoxville American Marketing Assoc.; business advisory council, Knoxville Area Urban League; vice president of publicity, board of directors, Knoxville Opera Guild; co-chair, Knoxville Opera Ball; chair, Knoxville American Marketing Assoc. Gala; RCIA sponsor, Immaculate Conception Church
 John Fawaz
President
Financial Partners of TN, LLC
Hometown: Lebanon
Education: Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, past president, Arab American Club of Knoxville; president, East TN Financial Planning Assoc.; secretary, Jellico Hospital Foundation
Awards/Honors: DI Master, Mass Mutual, 2008 ; 2009 National Top Disability Insurance Producer; Million Dollar Roundtable, 2005-2009; Leaders Conference, Mass Mutual, 2005-2009; Ironman 70.3 Florida Finisher, 2008
 Elizabeth Ferrerira-Alves
Director of Middle Schools
Knox County Schools
Hometown: Miami, FL
Education: B.A., Florida University; M.S., University of Miami; Ed.D., Florida University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Peer Review team chair, Southern Assoc. of Colleges and Schools; executive board member, TN Assoc. of Middle Schools
 Bill Garibay
President/CEO
ES&H, Inc.
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Murray State University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, forum moderator, president, EO; Fall Festival chairman, St. Mary’s Catholic Church; membership cmte., ETEBA; volunteer, Hispanic Chamber; volunteer, Knoxville Chamber
Awards/Honors: Environmental Business Journal, Business Achievement Award – Gold Medal – Small Business, 2005; Finalist Pinnacle Business Award – Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership, 2005; “Fast 50” Ranked #11 Business TN Magazine, 2006; Hispanic Business 500 Largest Hispanic Owned Companies in the US, 2006; Hispanic Business 100 Fastest Growing companies in the US Ranked #11, 2006; Inc. 5000 Top 100 Companies in Construction Ranked #22, 2007; Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies Ranked #536, 2007; Hispanic Enterprise Top 100 Latino Entrepreneurs, 2008; Winner of Minority Business Excellence Award – Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Business Awards, 2008; Hispanic Business 500 Largest Hispanic Owned Companies in the US Ranked #463, 2008; Business TN Magazine – Business TN’s Hot 100, 2008; Hispanic Business Magazine – Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year – Green Category
 Lourdes Garza
Director of Hispanic Ministry Office
Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Education: A.A., Pasadena City College; Pastoral Studies, Loyola University; Ecclesial Minister, Diocese of Knoxville
Community/Professional Affiliations: Chair, board member, CEDnet; chair, member, Latino Task Force; chair of the board, Centro Hispano of East TN; board member, Centro Hispano Magnolia; organization representative, Rapid Response Team; religious activities chair, Catholic Cmte. on Scouting; cmte. chair, St. John Neumann Church Parish Council
Awards/Honors: Latino Hero Award, Latino Task Force, 2008; Long Haul Award, Tennessee Alliance for Progress, 2008; Best of Knoxville, Outreach Ministries, 2008
 David Gerkin
Medical Doctor, Medical Director, Waiver Surgeon
Tennessee Valley Eye Center, Tennessee Medicine, United States Army Recruiting Command
Hometown: French Lick, Indiana
Education: A.B., Cum Laude, Indiana State University; M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, vice president, Interfaith Health Clinic; board member, past president, TN Medical Foundation; vice president, Innovation Valley Health Information Network; editor, TN Medicine; board member, past president, Physicians Medical Education and Research Foundation; board of directors, TN Physicians Health Program; emergency medical responder, State of TN
Awards/Honors: Member of Society Consultants to the Armed Forces, 2004; Medical Director of the Year, American Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, 2005; Vice Chair, AMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws, 2007
 Kim Greene
CFO/EVP
TVA
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., The University of Tennessee; M.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham; M.B.A., Samford University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Chancellor’s associates, advisory council for College of Engineering, advisory council for Finance Department, The University of Tennessee, F.I.R.S.T; Brock School of Business Advisory Board, Samford University; United Way of Greater Knoxville; F.C. Alliance
Awards/Honors: Keynote speaker, Women’s Leadership Conference, Georgia Tech, 2005; “40 under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2005, 2006; 25 Power Women to Watch, Atlanta Woman Magazine, 2005; commencement speaker, The University of Tennessee College of Engineering, 2009
 Harry Gross
Executive Vice President/Region Manager, Commercial Real Estate
SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Education: B.S., The University of Tennessee; M.B.A., Vanderbilt University (Owen School)
Community/Professional Affiliations: Investment cmte. member, United Way of Greater Knoxville; co-chair, real estate industry cmte., March of Dimes, East TN; guest lecturer, The University of Tennessee, College of Business; Toqua district chairman, Boy Scouts of America, Friends of Scouting; chair, finance cmte., Central Baptist Church, chair, property cmte., Central Baptist Church
Awards/Honors: SunTrust Commercial Real Estate Region of Excellence Award, Top in Central Group, 2004; SunTrust University Management School (with honors), 2004
 Janet Gurwitch
Assistant District Attorney
Knox County D.A. – 6th Judicial District
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Education: B.A., University of Alabama; M.A., University of Alabama; J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law
Community/Professional Affiliations: Past president, chair nominations, ad. Board, president of the board, board member, VAP cmte. member, YWCA; planning/grant cmte., representative to board of directors, Family Justice Center; board member, Community Mediation Center; chair of taskforce, planning/development, board member, chair, Community Coalition on Family Violence; cmte. serving meals at VM, Heska Amuna
Awards/Honors: Anita Gregg Award, Community Coalition on Family Violence, 2003
 Kimberly Dixon-Hamilton
President and Principal Broker
Downtown Realty, Inc.
Hometown: Manassas, VA
Education: B.A., University of Virginia
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board of directors, Downtown YMCA; Board of directors, Market Square District Assoc.; member, Rotary Club of Knoxville; board of directors, Tennessee Theater; board of directors, City People; member, Nucleus Knoxville
Awards/Honors: “40 under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2008
 Shannon Hampson
Administrator
Abercrombie Radiology
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Education: : B.S. Business, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: President, Kappa Delta Housing Corporation; Large Practice Executive Council; President, Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Assoc.; Co-President, Whittington Creek Swim Team; Treasurer, President, Knoxville Area Medical Group Management Assoc.; Founding Member, President, TN Radiology Business Management Assoc.; Southern Director, Radiology Business Management Assoc.; Board of Directors, Healthcare 21; Fundraising Chairperson, Treasurer, Mini-grants Chair, Blue Grass Elementary School; Secretary, West Valley Middle School; Board Member, Bearden High School Foundation; Board of Directors, Heart Gala, American Heart Assoc.
Awards/Honors: Lifetime Member 2007, Blue Grass PTA
 Sharon Hoover
Owner
CoachingWorks
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Education: B.S. Education, Otterbein College; M.A., Ohio University; Doctoral Studies, The University of Tennessee; Graduate, Coach University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board of directors, international fund development coordinator, international advanced course coordinator, More To Live Foundation; co-founder, chair, executive cmte., mastery program teacher, program director, More To Life Center; board of directors, chair, fund development cmte., board development cmte., chair, board of directors, Race Relations Center of East TN; chair, education awards cmte.; district conference cmte., personnel cmte., board of directors, Rotary Club; founding member, president, East TN Coaches Assoc.; founding member, chair, Small Business Cmte., Knoxville Chamber; member, coach, Family Business Institute of East TN; East TN Civil Rights Working Group; cmte. member, The Edward J. and Carolyn P. Boling Endowment Cmte.
Awards/Honors: Professional Certified Coach, International Coach Federation
 Tim Howell
CEO
Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service, Inc.
Hometown: Woodbury, TN
Education: B.A. Accounting, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Member, West End Church of Christ, president, TN Assoc. of Homemaker Service Providers; member, Downtown Knoxville Rotary Club; member, National Council on Aging; member, TN Assoc. of Homes and Services for the Aging
Awards/Honors: Certificate for completing Non-profit Management Continuing Education Courses, The University of Tennessee; participated and completed Non-profit Management Courses; Harvard University
 Lisa Hurst
Executive Vice President
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., East Tennessee State University; M.A.T, Carson Newman College
Community/Professional Affiliations: Secretary/chair, Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Diversity Council; liaison, Boys & Girls Clubs of America in TN; director in charge, Rotary Club of Knoxville; volunteer, American Red Cross; board member, Knox County Parks & Recreation, 2002 - 2005.
Awards/Honors: Southeast Professional of the Year, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 2004; Women and Youth Award, Boys and Girls Club of America, 2008
 Tom Jensen
City Executive and Senior Vice President
Mountain Commerce Bank
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, chairman of operation cmte./treasurer, executive cmte. member, United Way; board member, Second Harvest; chairman, church council finance cmte., Fountain City United Methodist Church; board member, Dogwood Arts Festival; board member, Knoxville Quarterback Club; former board member, American Cancer Society; past volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Awards/Honors: “Best of the Best”, 2005-2007; #2 Ranked Banker for Corporation – SunTrust Bank, 2006; Million Dollar Producer, 2004-2006
 Tammy Kaousias
President
Kaousias Law, PLLC
Hometown: Johnson City, TN
Education: : B.A., Economics/Political Science, The University of Tennessee; J.D., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board chair, Tennessee Archive of Moving Images and Sound; volunteer, 2008 Voter Protection Effort in Knox County; volunteer, 2009 Knox County Voter Restoration Project; adjunct professor, TU College of Law; member, 2008 Volunteers for Obama Steering Committee
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 David Keith
Director of Development and Lobbyist
National Association to Protect Children
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board, Holston Home for Children; former board, Tennessee Film Commission; regional ambassador, ChildHelp USA; deputy sheriff, Blount; alumni, FBI Citizens Academy
Awards/Honors: Two golden globe nominations and Hollywood Press Award for An Officer and a Gentleman 1982; Directors Citizens Achievement Award, FBI Citizens Academy, 2008; recognized at a Tennessee Colonel
 Andy Lorenz
Vice President
Messer Construction Company
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Education: B.S. Construction Mgmt. University of Cincinnati; M.B.A., Xavier University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board of trustees, Pellissippi State T.C.C. Foundation; board of directors, treasurer/secretary, Associated General Contractors of TN; board of trustees, Episcopal School of Knoxville
 Gay Lyons
Professor of Political Science
Pellissippi State Technical Community College
Associate Editor
Knoxville Magazine
Freelance Writer
Knoxville News Sentinel
Hometown: Loudon County, TN
Education: B.A. English, Pfeiffer College, Certification, National Center for Paralegal Training, Atlanta, GA; M.A. English, Ph.D. Political Science, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations:Board of directors, co-chair, special events cmte., co-chair, chair, summer suppers; cmtes.: development, cocktails at the stations, Knox Heritage; co-chair, Dogwood gala, chair, fundraising cookbook cmte., Dogwood Arts Festival; chair, fundraising cookbook cmte., Akima Club of Knoxville; chef recruitment cmte., judge, signature chefs auctions, March of Dimes; board member, National Kidney Foundation; member, foster care review board, Knox County Charter Review Commission
Awards/Honors: Tennessee Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Distance Education, 2005; Akima Club of Knoxville New Members of the Year, 2004
 Kendra Mansur
Attorney
Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Hometown: Clinton/Oak Ridge, TN
Education: B.S., Cornell University; M.A., School of Industrial and Labor Relations, J.D., Northeastern University, School of Law
Community/Professional Affiliations: Children’s volunteer, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; school board, St. Joseph Catholic School Board; member, TN Bar Assoc.; member, Knoxville Bar Assoc.; member, East TN Layers Assoc. for Women; advisory board, Knoxville Area Urban League; board member, Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities; member, Knoxville/Knox County Homeless Coalition; member, Statewide Domestic Violence Coordinating Council; chair, Statewide Order of Protection Cmte. of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council; advisory board member, Family Crisis Center; member, United Way of Greater Knoxville Alliance for Financial Independence
Awards/Honors: Tennessee Bar Association Law Leadership Class, 2008; Community Action Commission Knoxville Leadership Class, 2008-2009
 Tom Maryanski
Director of Operations
CVS Caremark
Hometown: Bristol, TN
Education: B.B.A. Marketing, East Tennessee State University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Sponsor, Thompson Cancer Survival Center, volunteer, Love Kitchen; volunteer, Angel Tree Program; sponsor, Girls on the Run; volunteer, Park Ridge Harbor; guest instructor, Knoxville Area Urban League; participant, Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team
Awards/Honors: Finalist, Knox Chamber Pinnacle Impact Award, 2007, 2009
 Hugh Nystrom
Director of Program Operations
Childhelp Tennessee
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: : B.S. Finance, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: State Board, TN Alliance for Children and Families; executive cmte., Family Justice Center; Center for Communities Program, Knoxville Leadership Foundation; Dream Team member, Reach Them to Teach Them; Nucleus Knoxville; Downtown Civitan Club
 Mike Parton
Principal
Coulter & Justus, PC
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S. Business Admin., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Knoxville Rotary Club; Knoxville Track Club. Knoxville Chapter TSCPA, Knoxville Chapter of ACFE, TN Chapter of HFMA. Awards/Honors: Master Rainmaker, Enterprise Network, 2005, Certified Fraud Examiner, 2004; Certified in Financial Forensics, 2008
 Sylvia Peters
President
Independent Educational Consultant
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Education: National Louis University; Roosevelt University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Trustee, chair-Artscapes, chair-Artist on Location, Knoxville Museum of Art; volunteer, Knoxville Area Urban League; leader, Green Magnet School, educational consultant, Knox County Schools; speaker, Leadership Knoxville; chair, Gardening/Whittington Creek; member, WUOT Board
Awards/Honors: Nashville Urban Educational Speaker Award, N.A.A.C.P. 2008; Modern Red Schoolhouse Educator of the Year, Tampa, FL, 2005
 Dean Rice
Partner and Vice President
Pratt, Pratt and Rice, Inc.
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.A. Speech Comm., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Treasurer, Duncan for Congress; adjunct faculty, The University of Tennessee; board of visitors chair-College of Communication & Information, The University of Tennessee; missions cmte. member, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church; board of visitors member-College of Communication & Information, The University of Tennessee; board of visitors member-College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tennessee; board member, William Blount Mansion Assoc.; East TN economic council; guest political analyst for WVLT News, Knoxville
Awards/Honors: Statesman of the Year, Tennessee Republican Party 2006; Excellence in Teaching Award, Phi Eta Sigma, The University of Tennessee 2004
 Billy Rivet
Partner/CEO
Bluegill Creative
Hometown: Gretna, LA
Education: B.A. Advertising Design, University of Louisiana, Lafayette; M.S., Instructional Design, The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Board member, KAMA; loaned executive, United Way of Greater Knoxville; allocations cmte., United Way of Greater Knoxville; volunteer, Habitat for Humanity; planning cmte. and volunteer, Knox Heritage; graphic and communications assistance, Knoxville Opera; volunteer, Hurricane Katrina
Awards/Honors: KAMA Volunteer of the Year Award, 2007; KAMA Locander Extraordinary Service Award, 2008
 Sheryl Rollins
President
NAACP - Knoxville Branch
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.A., English/Technical Writing, The University of Tennessee; J.D., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Member, State NAACP President’s Advisory Team; member, The University of Tennessee College of Law Advisory Council; president, NAACP/National Civil Rights Organization; chair-personnel cmte., Knox County 911,; president, Orchid Hills Neighborhood Assoc.; Alpha Kappa Sorority; Societas Docta
Awards/Honors: Soror of the Year, Psi Zeta Omega Chapter, AKA Sorority; finalist, YWCA Tribute to Women; participant, Harvard University Symposium on W.E.B. DuBois, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
 Jon Rysewyk
Executive Prinicpal
Fulton High School
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.S., Psychology, M.S., Education, The University of Tennessee; Educator Specialist, Tennessee Technological University; Ph.D., Education, East Tennessee State University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Vice president, Knox County Assoc. of Secondary School Principals; volunteer/partner, Emerald Youth Foundation; volunteer/active member, Fellowship Evangelical Free Church; member, North Knox business Assoc.
Awards/Honors: Milken National Educator Award, State of Tennessee, 2008
 Shannon Sapp
Corporate Secretary
Merit Construction, Inc.
Hometown: Warner Robins, GA
Education: B.S. Building Construction, Auburn University
Community/Professional Affiliations: LEED accredited professional; member, Nucleus Knoxville; volunteer, American Heart Assoc.; volunteer, Habitat for Humanity; volunteer, Salvation Army; co-chair, national steering cmte., construction leadership council, treasurer, director, chair and co-chair-branch steering cmte., Assoc. of General Contractors; chair, finance chair, member, Westside Branch Board of Directors YMCA of East TN; property acquisition task force, chair, co-chair, member-properties & insurance cmte., member, facilities master planning cmte., member sanctuary renovation cmte., member gifts based team ministry cmte., Sunday school teacher, deacon, Central Baptist Church of Bearden
Awards/Honors: “40 under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2007
 Ann Short-Bowers
Attorney
The Bosch Law Firm, PC
Hometown: Shelbyville, TN
Education: B.A. Political Science & Economics, Centre College of Kentucky; J.D., The University of Tennessee College of Law
Community/Professional Affiliations: member, board of trustees, Webb School of Bell Buckle; member, advisory board, Salvation Army Knoxville Area Command; 1st female president, life member, TN Assoc. of Criminal Defense Attorneys; sustainer member, Junior League of Knoxville
Awards/Honors: City View Top Attorneys: Appellate Practice, 2007; City View Law Firm Profile & Top Attorney: Appellate Practice, 2008
 Don Sproles
Owner/Operator
Lunchbox, Inc.
Hometown: Kingsport, TN
Education: B.S. Political Science, The University of Tennessee; J.D., The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: VSave Our Future volunteer, Knoxville Chamber; treasurer, board of directors, Episcopal Diocese of East TN; development cmte., board of directors, Volunteer Ministry Center; chair, Knoxville Transportation Authority; chair, Habitat for Humanity
Awards/Honors: Nominee, 2009 Pinnacle Award
 Janet Testerman
Editor
Skirt! Magazine
Executive Editor
Knoxville Magazine
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.A., Southern Methodist University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Volunteer, co-chair, Human Animal Bond in TN; board member, Champions For a Cause; board member, Appalachian Ballet Company; board member, Special Spaces; street rep, Forest Heights Housing Assoc.; volunteer, Knox Heritage
Awards/Honors: Membership, Executive Women’s Association; featured speaker, Shirley Dumont Art Week 2008
 John Trotter
President
Trotter Incorporated
Hometown: Maryville, TN
Education: B.A., Maryville College
Community/Professional Affiliations: Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church; board of directors, Maryville College National Alumni Assoc.; Maryville College’s Calvin Duncan Society; Maryville College’s President Circle; board of directors, chairman of the board, executive cmte., Greater East TN Better Business Bureau; board of directors, chairman of the board, Joy of Music; board of directors, Saving Little Hearts; volunteer, Knox County One Question; volunteer, Knox Charter Petition; volunteer, Young Professionals Knoxville
Awards/Honors: Certified Commercial Investment Manager, 2000; Certified Real Estate Broker; Knox Heritage’s Fantastic Fifteen, 2008
 Chris Van Beke
Founder/COO
Voices Heard Media, Inc.
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: B.A., University of Pennsylvania; M.B.A., Duke University
Community/Professional Affiliations: Partner, UT MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program; board president, Random Acts of Flowers; member, Nucleus Knoxville; leadership cmtes., Westminster Presbyterian Church; principal, Tennetic Angel Group/Knoxville Angels; deliverer, FISH; member, Innovation Valley Technology Council; participant, Introduction Knoxville; judge, Global Venture Challenge; judge, Maryville College ‘Marketplace Simulation’; screening cmte., TN Valley Venture Challenge; vice president, Wrights Ferry Landing Homeowners; member, UT MS/MBA Advisory Board
Awards/Honors: Pinnacle Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 2008; “40 under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2007; nominee for Pinnacle Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 2007
 Russ Watkins
President
Partners Development
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Education: The University of Tennessee
Community/Professional Affiliations: Development chair, Knoxville Symphony; environmental cmte., Downtown Rotary Club; member, East TN Economic Council; member, Nucleus Knoxville; member, Knoxville Chamber Partnership; member American Institute of Architects; member, East TN Quality Growth; member, National Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council.
 Larry D. Wright
President/CEO
The Wright Group L-A, LLC
Hometown: Dixie, GA
Education: B.S., Tusculum College; M.B.A., Franklin University; Spanish Bilingual Certificate, California State University Dominguez Hills
Community/Professional Affiliations: President, board member, officer, Kiwanis; chairman, 100 Black Men of Greater Knoxville; National Black MBA Assoc.; board member, Athens-McMinn YMCA; producer, Knoxville Deserving Family; author, Million Dollar Lane
Awards/Honors: Service Award, YMCA, 2005; Service Award, Athens Kiwanis President’s Award, 2008
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