Tennessee Arts Commission
Commission Members
Ellen Hays
Chair
Term - 2007 / 2012
District - 03
Ellen M. Hays has worked in government, for nonprofit organizations, and in the private sector over the past 30 years as a fundraiser, lobbyist, public relations specialist and events coordinator.
As director of external affairs at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Hays oversaw the public relations, marketing, fiscal development, membership campaigns, and facility rental programs for the newly rebuilt and reprogrammed facility. This position was a reflection of her lifelong interest of utilizing art to transform and revitalize community. She was able to further build upon this on a national scale through her work on the “Transforming Community Through the Arts” program, sponsored by the Bruner Loeb Forum, a partnership of the Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Bruner Foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In addition to the Arts Commission, Hays currently serves as chair of the Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies, and on the boards of the Public Education Foundation and the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University, and has completed coursework at George Washington University in their masters of public administration program.
Kurt Winstead
Vice Chair
Term - 2007 / 2012
District - 07
Kurt Winstead has been an attorney for 20 years, and is a partner in the firm of Rudy, Wood, Winstead, and Williams, PLLC in Nashville. His law practice is concentrated in the areas of business law and civil litigation. Since 2000, he has served as Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator. He also serves in the Tennessee Army National Guard (1990-present) and is currently at rank of Colonel serving in position of Deputy Command Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters in Tennessee. He was deployed overseas to Iraq in 2005, earning the Meritorious Service Medal as a senior Judge Advocate.
Winstead’s appreciation of the arts goes back to his family background. His mother, who after formal training on the piano, was a high school band director, music instrument store owner, and public school music teacher before her retirement.
Winstead’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of Trustees for Battle Ground Academy in Franklin. He is Admissions Chair of the Centre College Alumni Club in Nashville, and is a member of Nashville City Club, and Temple Hills Club.
Winstead received his bachelor’s degree in economics and management from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and his law degree from the University of Richmond, School of Law in Virginia. He is also a graduate of the United States Army War College with a master's degree in strategic studies. He resides in Franklin with his wife Beth and daughters, Bridget and Mary Hannah.
Bob Wormsley
Secretary
Term - 2008 / 2013
District - 04
Bob Wormsley, a native of Campbell County, is president/CEO of the Local Government Insurance Pool. Prior to assuming that position, Wormsley served as executive director of the Tennessee County Services Association (TCSA) form 1993-2003. He continues to serve that Association in the role of consultant.
Wormsley previously served as executive director of the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service, and was employed by the Tennessee Department of Revenue before joining U.T. While with the Department of Revenue, he took a military leave of absence and served in the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam War attaining the rank of Captain. During that period of service, he received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Wormsley is a graduate of Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where he received a bachelor's degree in accounting and sociology. He is a member of the Board of Directors of County Reinsurance Limited and the TCSA Loan Program, and is active in several state and national organizations which address local government issues. He served for 17 years on the State Insurance Committee, served a 10 year term on the Board of Trustees of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, a four year term on the state's Water Quality Control Board, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Local Government Data Processing Corporation.
Wormsley and his wife, Janet, reside in Caryville. They have one married daughter and enjoy traveling and attending performing arts events.
Gale Jones Carson
Term - 2008 / 2013
District - 08
Gale Jones Carson is currently the director of corporate communications for Memphis Light, Gas and Water. She is responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of employee and public communication programs. Carson joined MLGW in 2007, after working as executive assistant and chief spokesperson for Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton for almost seven years. Prior to working for the Mayor, she worked for 16 years in Corporate Communications at FedEx. A public relations veteran, Carson has more than three decades of journalism/public relations experience which includes freelance writing for a weekly publication. Carson also served as the producer and host of the local cablevision program, Memphis Style Politics, for nearly 10 years.
Carson currently serves on the Memphis/Shelby County Film and Tape Commission, and the United States Selective Service Commission. In addition to her professional and civic affiliations, She is involved with the Democratic Party on the state and national level. A native of Memphis, Carson is a graduate of the Leadership Memphis Class of 1998, and the University of Memphis where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.
Donna Chase
Term - 2010 / 2015
District - 02
Donna Chase is president of Lord & Chase, a Knoxville-based interior design firm, and is a design and construction consultant to hospitality and residential clients throughout the country. In recent years, she has been involved with school and youth sports activities while also operating a retail antique and furnishings business in Knoxville. She received her bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Chase is married to Michael Chase, president/CEO of Copper Cellar Corporation. The company operates 17 popular Tennessee restaurants and has been recognized as one the nation’s top multi-concept restaurant companies. They reside in Knoxville and have two daughters.
Rhea Condra
Term - 2009 / 2014
District - 06
Rhea Condra is a life long resident of Gallatin and has served as a volunteer in Gallatin and Middle Tennessee organizations for 35 years. Much of her volunteer focus has been with organizations serving women, children, and families including TRAC House, CASA, Department of Human Services Child Abuse Team, and the American Cancer Society. Condra was also a founding member of the Gallatin Junior Service League and for the past 10 years has been a member of the Sumner County Library Board. She has also been a member of the Warioto Regional Library Board and currently serves as a member of the executive board of the Gallatin Downtown Library Committee. She had her own fashion consulting business for 15 years.
Condra is married to Dennis L. Condra and has two grown sons and five grandchildren. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and gardening.
Lanis "Lanny" Cope
Term - 2009 / 2014
District - 02
Lanis “Lanny” Cope is an architect who founded Cope Associates, Inc. in 1983. Under his direction, Cope Associates, Inc. has achieved honored distinction in commercial, institutional, and historical preservation works. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Cope will represent the second congressional district.
Cope’s community involvement is broad and extensive. He is the founding president of University Area Sertoma Club; former board member and vice-president of Knoxville Montessori School; member of the University of Tennessee President’s Club; founding board member of United States Green Building Counsel, East Tennessee Chapter; member of the American Institute of Architects and National Roundtable of Architects; and Knoxville Heritage member.
His hobbies include boating, fishing, and golf. He also enjoys creating jewelry and crafts, photography, gardening, and working in his repair shop. He is married to Lisa Cope and they have three daughters.
Ed Gerace
Term - 2010 / 2015
District - 01
Ed Gerace is an investment vice president of UBS Financial Services in Johnson City, and is a former partner with J.C. Bradford Company. Gerace has been in the investment business for over 40 years. He serves as chairman of the Steering Committee of the Tanasi Center of Northeast Tennessee. He has served as co-chair for the Fundraising Committee for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, the Tennessee State Museum Committee, and on the Finance Committee for St. Mary’s Church in Johnson City. Gerace previously served as chair of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, former chair of the Johnson City Development Authority, and is a past board member of Birthplace of Country Music. He received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from East Tennessee State University.
Gerace enjoys travel and fly-fishing. He resides in Johnson City with his wife, Jennie. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Lucia Gilliland
Term - 2008 / 2013
District - 09
Lucia Gilliland previously worked in the Washington Office of Vice President Al Gore, where she served as an advisor to Al and Tipper Gore. She served in that capacity from 1993 through 2000. She served on the staff of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter from 1987-1993, and was a regional representative for West Tennessee. Gilliland currently serves on the Boards of the Riverfront Development Corporation and the National Civil Rights Museum. She received her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
Gilliland’s interest in the arts in Memphis started over 30 years ago when she was involved in saving the Orpheum Theatre from being torn down. She worked toward its extensive renovation and served as its first chairman of the Board of Directors.
Gilliland was a founder of the Grant Center, and previously served as chair of the Center City Commission and Memphis Development Foundation. She is past president of the Junior League of Memphis. She has been married to Jim Gilliland for 44 years and they have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Chancellor Carol L. McCoy
Term - 2010 / 2015
District - 05
Carol L. McCoy serves as Chancellor for the Davidson County Chancery Court, Part II. She was previously a partner in the law firm of Davies, Cantrell, Humphreys & McCoy in Nashville, and early in her career, a partner in Farrell & McCoy in Nashville. She worked as a staff attorney with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. She will represent the Fifth Congressional District.
Chancellor McCoy received her bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of South Florida, and her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Chancellor McCoy has many civic commitments and interests. She is a trustee for Watkins College of Art and Design, and previously served as a trustee for United Way of Middle Tennessee. She is currently a member of the Nashville Foreign Relations Committee, CABLE and the Nashville Women’s Political Caucus. She is an alumnus of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and Leadership Nashville. Chancellor McCoy was the recipient of the 1999 Athena Award and the 2004 YWCA Academy for Women of Achievement. She is married to Judge Roger Page.
Carol Prentiss
Term - 2009 / 2014
District - 09
Carol W. Prentiss was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and lived there until moving to Memphis in 1985. She has since dedicated much of her time, talent and resources to community involvement in Memphis. Prentiss will represent the ninth congressional district.
She has been actively involved with Advent Presbyterian Church, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association’s Heart Gala, Ballet Memphis, Brooks Museum of Art, Josephine Circle, Memphis Botanic Gardens, Memphis Child Advocacy center, Memphis Food Bank, Memphis Zoological Society, Pink Palace Museum, Senior Services, Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, and United Way of the Mid-South.
As part of her work with the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Prentiss served as chairman of the board for three years, and chaired the Chef Celebrity Gala for 20 years. In 1992, she chaired the Capital Fund Campaign to renovate the old Four Flames Restaurant into the Center’s headquarters, and later helped raise funds for an addition to the center. She received the Legacy Award from the CAC in 2007.
Prentiss served as chairman of the board for four years at the Memphis Zoological Society. She chaired the Zoo Rendezvous for nine years and chaired the Development Committee to raise funds for expansion of the zoo. She chaired a capital campaign for Memphis Botanic Garden to build Hardin Hall.
Prentiss received the 1996 National Volunteer of the Year award for National Net work Children Advocacy Centers. She also received the Crystal Award in 1996 given by NSFRE as the outstanding Volunteer Fund raiser. In 1996, Carol, and her late husband Jim, were the first couple to receive the Alexis deTocqueville of the Mid-South Award. In 1998, she was selected as one of 50 Women Who Make A Difference in the Mid-South. In November of 1998, Carol and Jim received the NSFRE Crystal Award for Philanthropy.
Barry Scott
Term - 2007 / 2012
District - 05
Barry Scott is widely known for his successes as an actor, writer, producer, director, motivational speaker and voice over artist. The founder and producing artistic director of the American Negro Playwright Theatre at Tennessee State University, where his parents and grandparents graduated, Scott has become one of the leading theatre artists in his home town, on top of his impressive acting credits nationwide, including television’s I’ll Fly Away and In the Heat of the Night.
An authority on the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Scott wrote and starred in Ain’t Got Long to Stay Here as a tribute to Dr. King and continues to teach a generation of students about one of America’s most violent and inspiring times, and the man who literally changed the entire nation. He has performed excerpts of King’s speeches for the Humanitarian Awards Ceremony honoring President Jimmy Carter and was recorded on the March On album benefiting the National Civil Rights Museum.
Scott created the Living With Theatre program – a forum to discuss important social issues with school aged children. He was the moderator for the Let Me Speak and Be Heard program for the Metropolitan Nashville School system. He also wrote and directed the video series, Stones of Promise, an inspirational teaching tool celebrating the black family for United Methodist Communications. He wrote Oh Freedom a play with music that starred Scott and Grammy award winner Patti Austin along with the Nashville Symphony. Scott was recognized for his altruistic work by being named Nashvillian of the Year in 1993.
He is a member of the Nashville Entertainment Association, The Nashville Film and Video Association, The NAACP, the Actor’s Equity Guild, the Actor’s Equity Association, and The American Film, Radio and Television Association. He serves on the board of the Nashville Film Advisory Commission and Nashville Public Television.
Waymon L. Hickman
Term - 2011 / 2016
District - 04
Waymon L. Hickman is senior chairman of the Board of First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Columbia, Tennessee. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and the Graduate School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University. He represents the fourth Congressional District.
Hickman has served on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, and currently serves as Trustee of Columbia State and Martin Methodist College. He has served as president of the Columbia Kiwanis Club, Maury County Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Tennessee Maury County Alumni Association. Active in the Boy Scouts organization, Hickman has served as president of the 39 county Middle Tennessee Council, and currently serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Board.
Hickman is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Bankers Association. He is past state vice president and member of the Community Bank Council of the American Bankers Association; and past president of the Tennessee Bankers Association. Hickman is a former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and served as chairman of the Audit Committee. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees and past president of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He presently serves as a member of the Banker’s Advisory Board to the Conference of state Bank Supervisors in Washington, D.C., member of the University of Tennessee Investment, Audit Committee, Development Council, and Chairman of Board of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation.
Hickman is an active member of the First United Methodist Church.
Ann Smith
Term - 2011 / 2016
District - 01
Ann Smith, a resident of Johnson City for over 30 years, previously served on the Tennessee Arts Commission from 1998 to 2002. She was reappointed to the Commission by Governor Haslam. She represents the First Congressional District. She has served on the Johnson City Area Arts Council, and was previously a member of the Tennessee State Museum Committee.
Smith’s community involvement is extensive. She was named Volunteer of the Year by the Mountain States Health Alliance in 1999, and served as chair of the Johnson City Country Club Ladies Golf Association, 1997-1998. She was organizer and chair of the Roan Valley Women’s Celebrity Golf Classic in 1997. She was president of Our Savior Lutheran Church Women, 1996-1997. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Johnson City Medical Center Foundation, and is a member of the Chancel Choir, Altar Guild, and Communion Assistant with her church.
Her professional experience includes serving as Interim Regional Representative for former Gov. Don Sundquist. She is a member of the Tennessee Republican Party, National Republican Committee, and the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women. She has also served as president of Washington County Republican Women.
Smith’s hobbies include bridge, golf, music, singing, and traveling. She also enjoys attending arts events, and specifically enjoys the symphony.
Connie S. Weathers
Term - 2011 / 2016
District - 03
Connie Weathers grew up in South Georgia and South Carolina textile towns. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts from Middle Tennessee State University. She represents the Third Congressional District.
As a child she was able to capitalize on small textile town opportunities. Large textile companies like Callaway Mills offered many opportunities for cultural enrichment to employee children. Her early childhood exposure to the performing arts of ballet and tap dance left a lasting impression. She has, over her small town life, participated in several theatrical fundraisers.
Weathers has always been active in her community. She has been a Girl Scout
leader, camp director and a Red Cross volunteer. She has served as president of the American Cancer Society of Hamilton County and served on the Tennessee State Board of the American Cancer Society. She received the ‘Patient Quality of Life Award’ for her decade of dedication to the Societies’ C.I.T.E (Cancer Isn’t the End) counseling program as well starting the “Look-good, Feel Better Program” in Hamilton County. Weathers has been a member of the Memorial Auditorium Board of Directors, recognized by the Hamilton County Commission as a “Distinguished Citizen,” served as vice-chairman and chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party.
Connie Weathers and her husband John Weathers, CFO of Heatmax, Inc. reside in Chattanooga. Her hobbies are reading, cooking, gardening, and antiquing.