Skip to Content

Board Members

The State Board of Education is composed of nine members—one from each of Tennessee's congressional districts, plus a student member. Dr. Gary Nixon serves as Executive Director of the Board. All members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. Board members serve a nine-year term; the student member serves a one-year term. The Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Dr. Richard G. Rhoda, is an ex- officio, nonvoting member.

Mr. B. Fielding Rolston, Chairman
Represents: 1st Congressional District

Resides: Arrowhead Trail; Kingsport, TN 37664
Education: B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, M.B.A., American University
Occupation: Retired; Former Vice-President, Human Resources and Communications, Eastman Chemical Company.
Appointed 1996; Reappointed 2008; current term: 2008-2013

 

Mr. Richard E. Ray
Represents: 2nd Congressional District

Resides: 1660 St. Ives Blvd., Alcoa, TN 37701
Education: B.S., University of Alabama
Occupation: Retired; Former Operations Manager, Aluminum Company of America-Tennessee.
Appointed 1984; Reappointed 2002; current term: 2002-2011

 

Ms. Vernita B. Justice
Represents: 3rd Congressional District

Resides: 306 Glenwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Education: B.S., Tennessee State University
Occupation: Teacher, Hamilton County Schools
Appointed 2008; current term: 2008-2013

Mr. Flavius Barker
Represents: 4th Congressional District

Mailing Address: Tennessee Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38205
Education: Sequatchie County High School
Occupation: President, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation; also has farming operation in Sequatchie County
Appointed April 2002; current term, 2002-2011

 

Ms. Carolyn Pearre, Vice-Chair
Represents: 5th Congressional District

Resides: 427 Prestwick Court, Nashville, TN 37205
Education: B.S., M.S., University of Tennessee-Knoxville Occupation: Retired educator; Former Executive Director Tech Prep Programs, Tennessee Board of Regents
 Appointed April 2002; current term: 2002-2011

 

Dr. Jean Anne Rogers
Represents: 6th Congressional District

Resides: 2631 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Education: B.S., O.D., Southern College of Optometry
Occupation: Doctor of Optometry
Appointed 2005; current term, 2005-2014


Mr. James W. Ayers
Represents: 7th Congressional District

Mailing Address: First Bank, 200 4th Ave. North, Nashville TN  37219
Education: B.S., Memphis State University
Occupation: Chairman, First Bank
Appointed 2004; Reappointed 2005; current term 2005-2014

 

Dr. Melvin Wright, Sr.
Represents: 8th Congressional District

Resides: 340 North Hays Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301
Education: B.S., Tennessee State University, D.D.S., Meharry Medical College of Dentistry
Occupation: Private Practice of General Dentistry
Appointed 1996; Reappointed 2005; current term 2005-2014

 

Ms. Teresa Sloyan
Represents: 9th Congressional District

Resides: 688 Magnolia Manor Circle, Memphis, TN 38117
Education:
Occupation: Executive Director, Hyde Family Foundation
Appointed 2008; current term 2008-2013

Miss Brittni England
Student Member, Clarkrange, TN

Contact: 710 James Robertson Pkwy, 9th Flr, Nashville TN 37243
Education: Senior, Clarkrange High School
Appointed 2008; current term, 2008-2009

Dr. Richard G. Rhoda
Executive Director
Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Ex-officio, non voting member
Contact: Parkway Towers, Suite 1900, 404 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
Education: B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University