Tazewell, TN

Eleanor Yoakum, a native of Claiborne County, is Chairman of First Century Bank with locations in Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Maynardville, Sneedville, Maryville and Knox County. She is a graduate of Fairfax Hall and East Tennessee State University, where she was honored as outstanding alumna in 1999. She was appointed to the Tennessee Arts Commission by Governor Lamar Alexander where she served as Vice Chairman and Chairman 1987-1989. From 1996-1999 Yoakum served as Commissioner of Personnel for Governor Don Sundquist and was the Governor’s Chief Administrative Officer from 1996-2002.

Always a strong advocate for Education and the Arts, Ms. Yoakum has served for many years on the Walters State Community College Foundation Board serving as President in 2010-2011, as well as the East Tennessee Foundation Board where she serves as Secretary to the Board. After serving on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission from 2002-2006, Ms. Yoakum was appointed to the Board of Professional Responsibility by the Tennessee Supreme Court where she served as Vice Chair in 2015.

Eleanor is the Mother of two children, Stephanie Barger Conner of Nashville, who followed her mother’s passion for the arts by serving as Chairman of the Tennessee Arts Commission from 2005-2006, and was reappointed by Governor Haslam and presently serves as Chair. Her son Rob Barger is President and CEO of First Century Bank. She has five grandchildren.

Eleanor resides in Tazewell, Tennessee with her husband William A. Dunavant, Jr.