Breaking Ground 98 - New Council Members

South Central – Chrissy Hood

Chrissy Hood lives in Pulaski and is the mother of a teenage daughter with Phelan McDermid Syndrome, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and several complex medical conditions. Passionate about increasing access to information in rural communities for families who are impacted by disability, Chrissy founded the Connecting to Journey: Special Needs Support Group for caregivers of children with disabilities. Chrissy also serves as family liaison and volunteer for the Unlimited Special Needs Ministry at her local church.

Mid Cumberland - Alison Bynum

Alison Bynum of Smyrna is the primary caregiver for her two daughters, one of whom has cerebral palsy and complex medical needs. Alison attended Middle Tennessee State University and does freelance photography and marketing for small businesses. She and her husband, Brad, are active members of LifePoint Church, Stewarts Creek Campus. Alison graduated from the Council’s Partners in Policymaking^® Leadership Institute in 2019 and serves on the Family Advisory Council for Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Upper Cumberland - Sarah Cripps

Sarah Cripps has been blind since birth. Sarah attended public school in DeKalb County from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She holds a BA in history from Tennessee Tech and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University. Sarah maintains a solo law practice as a general practitioner in Smithville. Sarah is a recognized community leader, both personally and professionally. She recently served as a commencements speaker for Tennessee Tech.

Northwest - Brigham Scallion

Brigham Scallion lives in Bells and is the father of a teenage daughter with Down syndrome. He has degrees from Pikeville College, University of Memphis, and Lambuth University. He currently works as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Dyersburg State Community College and has volunteered through the Down Syndrome Association of West Tennessee.

Memphis Delta - Linda Monterroso

Linda Monterroso lives in Memphis and has a younger brother with a developmental disability who lives in their home state of New York. Linda recently moved to Tennessee to begin working as Manager of Clinical Research Operations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She has degrees from George Washington University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and NYU. She is involved in the statewide sibling support network, TN Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS), which is coordinated by the Council and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. She also volunteers with St. Jude’s Women’s Club.

At-Large - Brent Wiles

Brent Wiles is Senior Vice President at Bridge Public Affairs in Nashville. He previously worked 16 years in the Unites States Senate, mostly recently as State Director for Senator Bob Corker. Brent also served as Professional Staff on the Senate Appropriations Committee and in various legislative roles for Senator Lamar Alexander. Brent graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and lives in Nashville with his wife and three young sons, the youngest of whom has Down syndrome.