Advisory Board members are dedicated industry partners here to help students excel to the highest level in their expertise area. The board members work to enhance the quality of the department by expanding educational opportunities, dedicating time and energy to provide feedback as well as financial support to our students, and by contributing different ideas and strategies to our students and department each year. Each board member devotes personal time and provides talent and monetary commitment at an appropriate level based on their capabilities.
Advisory Board Members:
Martha Axford
Owner
ABC Design and Consulting
Robin Bayless
Vice President of Marketing
TooJay’s Deli Bakery Restaurant
Kimberly Billings
Senior Manager
Pilot Flying J
Sean Brobson
Store & Space Planning
Tractor Supply Company
Donna Burns
Chief Service Officer
Jewelry Television
Sharon Carpenter
National Sales Manager
Ariat International, Inc.
Marilyn Caruso
Customs Operations Manager
Transform SR Holding Management, LLC
President
Destination by Direction, Inc.
Mike Connor
President
Connor Concepts
Jed Dance
Owner
Bacon and Company
Horace Hamilton
Vice President of Merchandising, Retired
Kroger
Janis Holifield
Customer Service Research
Talbot’s Call Center
Ron Houser
Market Partner
Texas Roadhouse
Fred Jacob
Owner
The Pink Bride
Warren Jahn
Director, Revenue Systems Training/Learning & Delivery
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
John Jankowich
Senior Buyer
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Brian Keyes
Vice President
Connor Concepts
Ken Knight
General Manager
Crowne Plaza
Brian Lee
General Manager
Blackberry Farm
Heath Lowe
Store Manager
Walgreens
Steve May
Director of Lynchburg Homeplace
Jack Daniel Distillery
Scott Pejsa
Regional Vice President, Operations
McKibbon Hotel Management
Max Piet
TooJay’s Deli Bakery Restaurant
Elizabeth Rafferty
Career Cluster Consultant
TN Department of Education
Mark Romano
Timothy Romero
Regional Vice President
Enterprise Holdings East Tennessee Regional Office
David Rookstool
Branch General Manager
Safety Kleen
Craig Shields
Vice President, eCommerce
Jewelry Television
Boyce Smith
eCommerce
Walmart
Charles Starks
Executive Director
Nashville Convention Center
Janice Taylor
Owner
Mind Heart Wisdom Group
Karl Thomas
Owner, Greater Tennessee
Pinpoint HD Media
Jill Thompson
Executive Director
Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association
Dennis Tumlin
Executive Director
Rhea Economic & Tourism Council, Inc.
Susan Whitaker
Consultant
TN Department of Tourist Development
Blaine Wilcox
Store Leader
Target
Casey Williams
Store Manager
Walmart