Commission Members
Volunteer Tennessee is the 25 member bipartisan commission appointed by the governor to oversee AmeriCorps and service-learning programs, manage the Tennessee Serves Network, promote service-learning opportunities and foster community service initiatives and partnerships in which people of all ages and backgrounds engage in addressing the educational, public safety, environmental and other human needs in the Volunteer State.
2024 Commission Members
Chair: Amy Walter, Nashville, is the Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. She has also worked at the Nashville Zoo and human and social services agencies such as Nashville CARES and the Community Resource Center. Amy has over 20 years of experience with communications and media. She is a member of the Volunteer Administrators Network and volunteers with Hands On Nashville.
Vice Chair: Terry Silver, Old Hickory, is a Professor of Educational Studies at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She is a service-learning trainer and a Lions Quest curriculum trainer. Terry has taught using the service-learning methodology, and she has studied and written extensively on service-learning. She regularly works on committees for the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning. Terry volunteers at Second Harvest Food Bank. Terry also chairs the Communications Committee.
Secretary: Amy Gilliland, Maryville, serves as Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). She is a board member for Camp in the Community and a volunteer for Welcome Table. Amy previously served as a staff member at Volunteer Tennessee, as an AmeriCorps member with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, and as a team leader for AmeriCorps*Rapid Response Corps.
Treasurer: Jason Scott, Knoxville, is the Program Director of the Knoxville/Knox County Community Action Committee AmeriCorps program, Tennessee’s only environmental corps. He served two terms as an AmeriCorps member: first with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and then with Florida State Parks AmeriCorps. Jason is president of the local AmeriCorps Alums chapter and volunteers with the American red Cross. Jason also chairs the Board Development Committee.
George Bove, Lenoir City, is Chair of the Loudon County Chamber of Commerce. He previously served with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Broadway Electric Service Company in Knoxville. He is a member of the Kerbela Shrine Temple and the Lenoir City Utility Board of Commissioners. George has written several books, including the little orange t.
Destiny Brown, Decatur, is a Senior Management Consultant with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Customer-Focused Government. She previously served as a Policy and Research Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Human Services, a Governor’s Management Fellow, and a 4-H Agent. She volunteers with Sigma Kappa Sorority, where she is the Director of Alumnae Experience.
Kim Carpenter Drake, Brentwood, is the Coordinator of the Middle Tennessee Donors Forum and an independent consultant on social impact and strategic community leadership. Kim volunteers on several councils and boards, including the Cumberland River Compact, Park Center, Project CURE, and the Sexual Assault Center.
Stephanie Davis, Sevierville, serves as production group leader at SL of Tennessee. As a student at Pellissippi State Community College, Stephanie founded the Homeless Student Scholarship, which provides funds for homeless students who might not otherwise be able to attend college. She holds a certificate in Early Child Training from Roane State Community College.
Nathaniel Farnor, Ewin, is the Coordinator of Leadership and Civic Engagement at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). He recently served as the National Youth Advocacy Chair for the American Cancer Society. Nathaniel received the Harold Love Community Service Award from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the University Peace Builder Award from ETSU.
Mayor Terry Frank, Clinton, is the Mayor of Anderson County, where she was first elected in 2012. She is active in veterans' issues, efforts to curb prescription drug abuse, and efforts to expand broadband services. She serves on many boards and committees, including Anderson County Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, the East Tennessee Council on Aging and Disability, and the Anderson County Animal Welfare Task Force.
Katie Goforth, Tracy City, is the Community Development Director at the University of the South. She previously served as Program Manager for the South Cumberland Plateau VISTA Project. Katie is active on numerous local and regional committees and boards, including the South Cumberland Health Network, Grundy County Health Council, Activ8 Grundy, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, and Friends of South Cumberland State Park.
Andrea Hill, Memphis, is the Chief Programs Officer at Momentum Nonprofit Partners. She previously served as Director of Volunteer Memphis at Leadership Memphis. Andrea has extensive non-profit experience, and she is very involved in community activities. Andrea co-chairs the Strategic Partnerships Committee.
Holly Jones, Manchester, is a Security Specialist with Arnold AFB Services, where she also served as Marketing Assistant/Community Outreach Coordinator. She is a member of the Coffee County Young Professionals and a founding member of Coffee County TN Power of 100 Women. Holly volunteers with the First United Methodist Church and Lower Cumberland Special Olympics.
Aimee LaGrone, Nashville, represents Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education, on the Volunteer Tennessee Commission.
Greg Lyles, Murfreesboro, recently retired from Murfreesboro City Schools, where he served as the Coordinator of Community Initiatives and Teacher Performance. He developed several youth programs including Boys To Men Mentoring Program and Club MARVEL. Greg serves on various community boards such as the Linebaugh Public Library, Community Care of Rutherford County and St. Clair Senior Center. Greg is Chair Emeritus.
Lee A. Moten, Jr., Memphis, is the Senior Director of Programming at JIFF, Inc. (Juvenile Intervention & Faith-Based Followup), which provides interventions to youth in the Memphis and Shelby County juvenile justice systems. He previously served as Community Relations Manager at Youth Villages and Vice President of Leadership Development and Field Ministries at the Memphis Leadership Foundation and was the Founding Director of the Training Department at BRIDGES, USA. Lee served a previous term on the Volunteer Tennessee board from 2006-2008.
Patricia Powell, Antioch, recently completed the Preston Taylor Ministries’ Leap Year Fellowship program. She served two terms as an AmeriCorps member – one with Martha O’Bryan Center, and one with Hands On Nashville. Patricia is a member of the Junior League of Nashville and serves as the Executive Director for National Autism Peer Support.
Kane Reeves, Jackson, is an Extension Agent with the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program in Madison County. He served as a Volunteer Leader at 4-H Camp for 5 years and volunteered with the Union City Boys and Girls Club for its Senior Seminar Service-Learning Project.
Leon Shields, Lenoir City, is the Supervisor of Field Operations for the Lenoir City Utilities Board. He is also the owner and president of Instructional Concepts, which provides specialized safety training for Handgun Permits, CDL Driving Test, Confined Space Training, Trench Operations/Rescue, EVOC, High Angle Rescue, and other programs to certify private citizens or companies in safety training. Leon is very active with community groups, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, Loudon County Chamber of Commerce, Lenoir City Committee of 100, and DeMolay International.
Tracy Van de Vate, Powell, is the manager of the Grandparents as Parents program in Knox County. She previously served as Secondary Clinical Instructor and Supervisor at the UT College of Education, Health and Human Services and an Instructor with the UT Education 100 Apple Corps. Having held various collegiate teaching positions, she has broad experience in the education field. Tracy is active with the Girl Scouts and the Great Starts Transagency Committee. Tracy is Chair Emeritus.
Betty White, Nashville, recently retired as the Service-Learning Director at the University School of Nashville, where she worked with students for 38 years coordinating partnerships with local public schools and organizations to implement student-driven service programs. A Tennessee certified service-learning trainer, she currently enjoys consulting with various organizations as they develop service-learning programs. Betty volunteers with several organizations including Cosecha Community Development, Primera Iglesia Youth, Raise the Roof Academy, Open Table, and Whitsitt Elementary School. Betty chairs the Foundations of Service Committee.
Eileen Wollam, Nashville, recently retired as the RSVP Outreach Coordinator at FiftyForward, a non-profit in Nashville that helps people 50 years and older live fuller, more productive lives with a sense of dignity and self-worth. Eileen volunteers with Nashville in Harmony and has a certification in Volunteer Management from the Center for Nonprofit Management. Eileen also has significant experience in technical publications editing.
Evon Wood, Nashville, is Strategic Support Manager at GreenLight Fund, a nonprofit venture philanthropy organization that works at the intersection of community need and social innovation. Her leadership service includes, the IAAP Foundation Board of Directors, The Carnegie Writers, Inc. Board of Directors, Meeting Professionals International Administrative Planners Advisory Board, Nashville State Community College Administrative Professional Technology Advisory Committee, Remington College Business Administration Program Advisory Committee, and as the IAAP Nashville Branch Director. As a passionate community activist, Evon supports organizations that advocate for social equity, women’s empowerment, an end to homelessness, volunteerism, and the arts.
Ex Officio Representatives
Suzanne Carr represents Commissioner Clarence Carter, TN Department of Human Services.
D'Shonta Gleeton represents Commissioner Margie Quin, TN Department of Children’s Services.
Michael Hogan represents Commissioner Jeff Long, TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Michael chairs the Grants Committee.
Adam Jarvis represents Commissioner Jim Bryson, TN Department of Finance & Administration.
Liz Johnson and Kendra Thomas represent Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, TN Department of Health.
Caroline Ledlie represents the AmeriCorps agency.
Heidi Leming represents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings, Tennessee Board of Regents.
Nestor Reyes represents Commissioner Jeff McCord, TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
LTC John Rigdon represents Brig. Gen. Warner A. Ross II, TN Department of the Military.
Nancy Schelin represents Commissioner David Salyers, TN Department of Environment & Conservation. Nancy co-chairs the Strategic Partnerships Committee.
Jessica Youngblom represents Commissioner Marie Williams, TN Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.
Eileen Wollam is Chair of Friends of Volunteer Tennessee.
Vacant - President Randy Boyd, University of Tennessee.