WestStar Class of 2016 Bios

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1 Whit Ashe WestStar Class of 2016 Bios Hardin County Ashe is the project manager at F & M Consulting. He is a graduate of UT Martin with a MS in Agriculture and BS in Animal Science. Ashe is a Leadership Hardin graduate and West TN Ag Star graduate. He was the 2005 PRCA South Eastern Circuit Rookie of the Year and has made the RAM South Eastern Circuit Finals Rodeo finals on eight occasions in multiple events. Ashe says that participating in WestStar will help gain useful knowledge about the west Tennessee area and help him get involved with the betterment of the area. Kelly Codega Shelby County Codega serves as director of marketing/communication & physician services for Baptist Medical Groups and Baptist Cancer Centers. Currently, she serves on the Ronald McDonald House Clays for Kids, the American Heart Association and The American Cancer Society Gala Committees. She has served on the American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team and the 2014 American Heart Association Heart Walk Board. Codega also served as Senior Major Gifts Officer for Park Nicollet Foundation and was successful in spearheading a community campaign that raised $2.1 million to build a new cancer center. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and the National Association of Professional Women. Codega is a Leadership graduate of the Lauderdale and Tipton County Leadership Classes. She has been the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award and was nominated for Tennessee Hospital Association Meritorious Service Award of Excellence as well as Tennessee Hospital Community Service Award of Excellence. Codega says that participating in WestStar will help her gain a better understanding of all challenges and needs that our local communities face daily, along with developing a network of professionals to work together to shape the future of West Tennessee. Donna Craig Henry County Craig is the county clerk of Henry County. Currently, she serves on the Paris-Henry County Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber Executive Committee, Vice President of Membership Development and Training, and the County Official s Association of TN Board of Directors. She has served on the Rotary Board of Directors and served as Secretary/Treasurer of The West Tennessee County Clerk s Association. Craig is a leadership Henry County graduate. Craig says that participating in WestStar will help network and build relationships with others in the program for assistance she may need in the future. She hopes to gain insight and knowledge for exposure to what has and has not been effective in other communities in West Tennessee so she can convey ideas to Henry County. Joseph Crone Shelby County Crone is a licensed, practicing attorney in both Tennessee and Mississippi as a general legal practitioner. He has recently served as president of the Memphis Chapter of the Rhodes College Alumni Association. Crone says that participation in WestStar will be a catalyst in his drive to be a more effective leader and business entrepreneur in West Tennessee and beyond. 1

2 Greg Dozier Obion County Dozier is the business development manager of Leaders Credit Union, Union City. Currently, he serves on the boards of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Adult Leadership Obion County and Obion County Joint Economic Development Council. Dozier is a Leadership Obion County graduate. He has been a recipient of the Obion County Chamber Board Member of the Year. Dozier says that participating in WestStar will help strengthen his professional network base while gaining knowledge from other area leaders for the betterment of his community. Shawn Francisco Weakley County Francisco is the director of finance for Weakley County Government. Currently, she serves on the State of TN Insurance Committee, Weakley County Emergency Communication 911 Board, Northwest Tennessee Development District Audit Committee, and Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association program committee. She has served on the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport board as a charter member. Francisco is a Leadership Weakley graduate. She has been a recipient of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service Local Government Leadership Program and has received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Francisco says that participating in WestStar will provide her a larger network of West Tennesseans to draw upon in hopes of making our entire area more unified in working towards the promotion and retention of our West Tennessee assets. Maurice Gaines Lauderdale County Gaines is the county mayor for Lauderdale County. Currently, he serves on the HTL Advantage board as vice-chair, Memphis Area Association of Governments executive board, Delta Human Resources executive board, Lauderdale County Chamber of commerce, Ripley Planning Commission as chair, DEVCO. He has served as a Regions bank advisory board member, Tennessee Oil Marketers, and Tennessee Propane Gas Association. Gaines has received various awards over his career. He says that participating in WestStar will be a valuable experience and provide a greater understanding of the different concerns and attributes in the West Tennessee area. Ron Gant Fayette County Gant is the president of Insurance Associates of Tennessee. Currently, he serves on the Liberty Mutual Insurance Advisory Board and as Chairman of Rossville Christian Academy s board of directors. He is a former county commissioner of Fayette County. He has received the H.K. Dent Society Award numerous times for his leadership and performance in the insurance industry. Gant says that participating in WestStar will allow him to be part of one of the premier leadership programs in the US and will help him develop new relationships across the state that are key in assisting communities in solving problems and maximizing potential. 2

3 Carlton Gerrell, II Henry County Gerrell is the mayor of Paris, Tennessee and also the administrator/executive pastor of Tennessee Valley Community Church. Currently, he serves on the Paris City Commission, the Paris Regional Planning Commission and the Paris-Henry County Food Bank Board in which he serves as the chairman. In the past, he has served on the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce as board member; president, tourism committee, Leadership Henry County; The Be Local Initiative as founder/chair. He also served in the Boy Scouts of America as scoutmaster, district commissioner and National Youth Leadership Training Director Gerrell is a Leadership Paris- Henry County graduate. He was the Paris-Henry County Person of the Year in Gerrell says that by participating in WestStar he hopes that he can learn more from the rich diversity of West Tennessee so that he can continue to make Paris and Henry County a better place for all that live and visit. Jason Griggs Gibson County Griggs is the city recorder/finance officer of Milan, Tennessee. Currently, he serves as an appointed official of the City of Milan, a member of the Milan Industrial Development Board, a member of the Economic Development & Recruitment team, secretary of the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders, and secretary of the Gibson County Joint Economic & Community Development Board. He served as president of the Greater Gibson County Chamber of Commerce; member of the Dyer Industrial Development Board and the Oakwood Cemetery Board. Griggs is a graduate of Gibson County Leadership. He has been a recipient of the 2014 City Clerk of the Year Award for all of Tennessee. Griggs says that participating in WestStar will broaden his network of Leadership professionals in West Tennessee and provide a greater depth of knowledge in the diversity of West Tennessee s assets. Justin Hanson Tipton County Hanson is the mayor of Covington, Tennessee. He manages six departments and oversees a 22 million dollar budget. A native of Covington, Hanson is grateful to serve as mayor and works hard to do what is right and in the best interest of all citizens. He was most recently voted Best of the Best Elected Official in Tipton County by readers of The Leader. Currently, Hanson serves on the Board of Directors for HTL Advantage and is a member of the Covington Lions Club. Hanson says that participating in WestStar will help him better understand the dynamics of West Tennessee through interaction with other elected officials and business leaders. He s eager to build new relationships and create new ideas that will enhance the quality of life in Covington/Tipton County and the region. Prior to his election, Justin worked as a reporter and anchor at WMC Action News Five, the NBC affiliate in Memphis. He traveled all over the Mid-South meeting thousands of people and hearing their stories. During his tenure at WMC, he was nominated for an Emmy award. Also Hanson is an accomplished musician, and he serves on the music staff at Covington First United Methodist Church. 3

4 Shannon Haynes Crockett County Haynes is the director of client development for Emmaus Consulting, LLC, a healthcare consulting firm serving medical practices across the state of Tennessee. Shannon is a manager with Beautycounter, a company with a mission to get safe personal care products in the hands of everyone. Shannon serves as the Tennessee Legislative Network as a part of her membership on the Alamo City School Board, State Executive Committeewoman for the Tennessee Republican Party for the 27 th Senate District (Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, and Madison counties), treasurer of the Tennessee Young Republican Federation, and is the Ambassador Constituent Team lead for the US TN 8 th Congressional District for American Cancer Society s Cancer Action Network. Shannon is an alumna of Christian Brothers University where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity and received her MBA from Union University. Mrs. Haynes is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Crockett County. Shannon was a nominee of Woman of the Year for 2015 by the Crockett County Chamber of Commerce and was selected by the Jackson Sun to be in the Forty Under 40 Class of Shannon was also recognized for her service to the American Cancer Society as the Community Volunteer of the Year in the Mid-South Division for She is excited to participate in WestStar and prays that this experience gives her an even greater understanding of West Tennessee and how she can continue to work to make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family in the state of Tennessee. John Holden Dyer County Holden is the mayor of the City of Dyersburg first elected in In 1994, He was elected to the Dyer County Legislative Body and served for a total of 12 years, including three years as budget committee chairman and seven years as education committee chairman. Mayor Holden is a member of the board of directors of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce, on the board of trustees for the Dyersburg Regional Medical Center and a member of the West Tennessee s Mayors Association, a member of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) currently serving as 1 st Vice President, a member and past president of the Dyersburg Noon Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, past President of the YMCA of Dyer County and the Dyersburg State Community College Alumni Association. Mayor Holden stated that participating in WestStar will help him gain additional knowledge from leaders across West Tennessee and be able to take ideas back to Dyersburg. Joel Howard Tipton County Howard is the area director for USDA Rural Development, Union City Area office. A native of Covington, Tennessee, he graduated from UT Martin in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. Howard is a 2013 graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute, a yearlong executive leadership experience of the Delta Regional Authority. Currently, he is a member of the Delta Leadership Network for Tennessee. He has been the recipient of various awards within USDA-Rural Development as well as receiving an award for his participation in the further development of the Savannah-Hardin County Airport. Howard says that participating in WestStar will allow him to build on his personal leadership abilities, network with local officials, and further promote economic development in rural areas of West Tennessee. 4

5 Achana Jarrett Haywood County Jarrett is the executive director of the Brownsville-Haywood County Arts Council and is the Cultural Arts Supervisor for Haywood County. Currently, she serves on the Clay Evans Scholarship Foundation, Incorporated Board of Directors; Haywood County Vision Board of Directors, Haywood County Vision Board Resource Committee; Brownsville-Haywood County Relay For Life Committee; Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee (TAST) Board; City of Brownsville Christmas Parade Committee; Tina Turner Heritage Days Planning Committee; Acts of Kindness Board; and the Hatchie Fall Fest Planning Committee. She has served as a participant of the UT Extension Haywood County C3 Program and the Tennessee Arts Commission Community Learning Grant Panel. Jarrett is a Leadership Haywood County graduate. Jarrett says that participating in WestStar will afford her an opportunity to develop and enhance leadership skills that will assist in creating a robust and thriving community, through relationship building and networking. Erric Kellum Kellum is the superintendent of instruments & controls for Jackson Energy Authority. Currently, he serves as board member for the Women s Rape and Resource Assistance Program and he serves on the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association Board. He serves on the Wellness and United Way Committees at Jackson Energy Authority. He has served on the Cultural Diversity and Health & Benefit Committees at Jackson Energy Authority. Kellum is a Leadership Jackson graduate. Kellum says that participating in WestStar will provide him with the skills and knowledge to make a difference, serve in his local community and region, while connecting him with fellow members and resources to become a better servant leader. Carrie Ann Knox Knox is the community outreach coordinator and marketer for the Kirkland Cancer Center, a service of Jackson General Hospital. She also is a licensed registered nurse with over 20 plus years experience. Currently, she actively serves as co-chair for the Tennessee Cancer Coalition in the Jackson region. She is on the leadership team for the American Cancer Society s #1 Relay for Life event in Tennessee. Knox also serves on the NAACP Health Committee to help combat the health disparities in the community and to improve the overall health for its citizens. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Jackson. Knox says that participating in WestStar will afford her a hands-on education and appreciation of the 21 counties in West Tennessee, develop relationships that will broaden her insight on important issues facing our community, and to use these opportunities to become a better servant leader. Tommy Legins Weakley County Legins is the executive vice president and CFO for Savant Learning Systems, Inc. in Martin, TN. Currently he serves as a board member for the Weakley County Carl Perkins Center, treasurer of the Martin Library Foundation Board, finance chair for the Martin First United Methodist Church, Treasurer of the Housing Corporation Board for Tennessee Tau Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and member the City of Martin Public Works Committee. He is a Paul Harris Fellow sustaining member, past president of Martin Rotary Club and past president of the Martin Business Association. Legins is a Leadership Weakley County graduate. He has been a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award of Rotary International. Legins says participating in WestStar will broaden his knowledge of West Tennessee to further assist him to help with leadership and growth in West Tennessee. 5

6 Dr. Brock Martin Carroll County Martin is the doctor/owner of Southern Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Huntingdon. Currently, he serves on the Huntingdon Industrial Board, Tennessee Chiropractic Association Board of Directors, Vice President of the Huntingdon Lions Club, several Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Boards, and is a Tennessee Promise Mentor. Martin has successfully completed the Henry and Carrol County Leadership programs. Martin says that participating in WestStar will allow him to engage with other West Tennessee professionals and gather valuable insight that can help Carrol County continue progressing forward in the future. Shelley Matthews Matthews is the director of the Southwest Tennessee Development District s Area Agency on Aging and Disability. Currently, she serves as the secretary of the Southwest Tennessee Inter-Agency Council for aging service professionals, the community leader for the Connected Transitions Coalition, and serves on the Tennessee Federation on Aging Council. She has served as a volunteer for the State Health Insurance Program for five years and was an Alzheimer s Walk team captain for five years. She has been a recipient of the Dale Carnegie Honor Award, Southwest Tennessee Development District s Employee of the Year, Exemplary Service Recognition by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Special Exemplary Project Award by the Rural Health Association of Tennessee and a member of the Jackson Sun s Forty under Forty Class of Matthews says that participating in WestStar will provide her the opportunity to meet other leaders within West Tennessee and gain valuable strategic planning and problem solving skills. Brooks McDonald Shelby County McDonald is the president of McDonald Insurance and Financial Services. Currently, he serves as the vice-chair of the Bartlett Station Commission and as board member for the Bartlett Education Foundation. He is also the past chairman of the Bartlett Chamber Foundation. Brooks is a Leadership Bartlett graduate. He has been the recipient of Best Insurance Agency in Bartlett Award, Nationwide Community Service Award, Memphis Top 25 Insurance Agencies, Million Dollar Round Table, and Nationwide Insurance Presidents Club Award. Brooks says that participating in WestStar will give him a greater connection to fellow leaders in West Tennessee and a great platform for service in the great state of Tennessee. Ross Mitchell McNairy County Ross Mitchell is an attorney practicing in the law firm of Ross Mitchell, Attorney at Law, PLLC. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for Arts in McNairy as well as the board of directors of McNairy County Development services. Mitchell is a Leadership McNairy graduate. Mitchell says that participating in WestStar will give him an even deeper appreciation for the people and the resources that West Tennessee has to offer. 6

7 Michael Overbey Overbey is the general manager of Central Distributors, Inc. in Jackson. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Merchants and Planters Bank in Bolivar; Leadership Jackson Alumni Association; and United Way of West Tennessee. Overbey is a Leadership Jackson graduate. He has been a recipient of the Leadership Jackson Diamond Award and is a member of St. Mary s Catholic Church. Overbey says that participating in WestStar will enhance his leadership skills and help him to become more involved to help West Tennessee prosper while building new friendships throughout all of West Tennessee. Beth Parnell Beth Parnell is the interim director of marketing and communications. West Tennessee Healthcare. Currently, she serves on the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Jackson Region Network Board, tnachieves Advisory Council and the Carl Perkins Exchange Club for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and Blue Suede Dinner and Auction Committee. She has volunteered with the Alzheimer s Association Walk to End Alzheimer s, American Cancer Society, Downtown Dogs Group Bone Appétit Two, Jackson Service League, and Imagination Library. Parnell is a Leadership Jackson graduate. She has been a recipient of The Jackson Sun s Forty under 40 Class of 2015, Leadership Jackson Jewel Award and 2010 DAR Chapter s Award for Excellence in Broadcast Media. Parnell says that participating in WestStar will be a great opportunity to increase her awareness of both vital issues and assets within our region in order to be a more effective employee and engaged community member. Elizabeth Pritchett Obion County Pritchett is the director of sales & marketing at Center Point Business Solutions. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for the TN Soybean Festival and Leadership Weakley County. She has also served as a board member and treasurer for the Martin Business Association. Pritchett is a Leadership Weakley County graduate. She has been a recipient of the TN Soybean Festival Service award. Pritchett says that participating in WestStar will help her learn more about West TN, improve her leadership skills, and build better relationships. With the skills she will obtain through participation in WestStar, Pritchett hopes to improve her leadership footprint and contribution in West TN. Mary Ann Sharpe Haywood County Sharpe is the executive director of Main Street Brownsville. Currently, she serves on the finance committee of the First Methodist Church, Certified Local Government Coordinator for the City of Brownsville, Tennessee, Hemophilia & Bleeding Disorders Foundation Volunteer, and First United Methodist Church Preschool Leader on Wednesday nights. She has served on the Relay for Life Team, and Senior Circle Coordinator at Haywood Park Community Hospital. She has been a recipient of the Employee of the Quarter at Haywood Park Community Hospital and recognized for outstanding credentials by Joint Commission in the Quality Department of Haywood Park Community Hospital. Sharpe says that participating in WestStar is an honor and she is looking to gather a wealth of information and contacts that will enable Main Street Brownsville to be successful. She also believes this program is a great way to 7

8 enhance her leadership skills. She is confident that the WestStar program will equip her with the skills and training to be successful. Art Sparks Obion County Sparks is a partner in the accounting firm of Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC. Currently, he serves on the board of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants where he is Past Chair, the council (ruling body) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the National Peer Review Committee of the AICPA, the Peer Review Committee of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the board of Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the board of the Joint Economic Development Council for Obion County where he serves as Chair, the board of the Community Foundation of Obion County, Inc., and the board of Discovery Park of America. Sparks is a Leadership Obion County graduate. He has been a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from The University of Tennessee at Martin and named by the Business TN magazine as Accounting s Finest. Sparks says that participating in WestStar will further his education about the region that he calls home. He points out that the regional concept of jobs creation and working synergies is important to the future of our area. Jennifer Travis Henderson County Travis is the president of Modern Medical Management, Inc. Currently, she serves on the United Healthcare Long Term Care Member Advocate Committee. She has served on the Henderson County United Way Advisory Board, West Tennessee Medical Advisory Council, and as a Tennessee Nurses Association, District 6 Representative. Travis is a Leadership Henderson County graduate. She has been a recipient of certifications in Case Management, as a Rural Health Care Provider, and Master Beef Producer. Travis says that participating in WestStar will enhance her leadership skills and network base which will assist to support and guide her efforts to improve the quality of life in Tennessee. Bobby Williams Fayette County Williams is the director of Architecture & Construction for Focused Service Conversions, US and Canada, Hilton Worldwide. He is an active member of Hilton Worldwide Community Committee, helping to meet the needs of non-profit organizations around the greater Memphis area. Currently, he serves on the city council as alderman and on the Planning & Zoning Board for the town of Rossville, TN. Williams says that participating in WestStar will provide him with the opportunity to network with other leaders and organizations to work together in bringing about sustainable success and unity in West Tennessee communities. Chris Young Dyer County Young is the mayor of Dyer County. He serves on the Northwest Tennessee Development District Board, Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board, and various boards with Dyer County Government. He has served Mayor of Trimble from , as a Dyer County commissioner from , as a Trimble alderman from and from Young is a graduate of the 1991 Dyer County Leadership class. He has received the Small Business of the year award in 1993 and has received numerous awards for being the pinnacle dealer. Young says that 8

9 participating in WestStar will give him the opportunity to meet new leaders throughout West Tennessee and explore problem solving with each of them. 9