UT alumni blaze new trails around the world with inspiration, tenacity, and teamwork.
Patricia Bell-Scott (’72, ’73, ’76)
Patricia Bell-Scott has served as co-founding editor of SAGE: A Scholarly Journal on Black Women and a contributing editor to Ms. Magazine. She also delivered the 2017 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Distinguished Lecture on women and the law.
Wilma Hacker Jordan (’70)
While a UT student, Wilma Jordan was one of three founders, initial shareholders, and CEO of the 13-30 Corporation, which purchased and revitalized Esquire magazine and morphed into Whittle Communications.
Sharon Price John (’86)
Sharon Price John became CEO and president of Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2013 and carried out a turnaround that earned her a spot among Fortune.com’s top CEOs and Most Powerful Women in Business.
Amy Miles (’89)
When Amy Miles graduated from the Haslam College of Business, she didn’t predict that she would become CEO of Regal Entertainment Group until the company was sold to Cineworld Group PLC in 2018. Today, she serves as an independent director and audit committee chair for Norfolk Southern, one of the largest freight rail operators in the US.
Jenneen Kaufman (’92)
Jenneen Kaufman is senior vice president and CFO of the Tennessee Titans, as well as a United Way board member who has created partnerships between the team and many charitable organizations.
Jo-Marie St. Martin (’85)
Jo-Marie St. Martin was the highest ranking staff attorney in the US House of Representatives when she served as general counsel to former Speaker John Boehner.
Kathy Caldwell, P.E. (’85)
Kathy Caldwell led the establishment of a new market sector for Jones Edmunds and Associates, Inc., resulting in her being named president of JEA Construction Engineering Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary.
Jimmy Haslam (’76)
Jimmy Haslan is the CEO of Pilot Flying J and co-owner of the Cleveland Browns with his wife, Dee. The couple also established UT’s premier undergraduate academic enrichment program, the Haslam Scholars.
W. Lawrence Patrick (’73)
Larry Patrick, managing partner of Patrick Communications, has handled more restructuring efforts than anyone working in the broadcast industry. His $1 million gift established the Herb Howard Distinguished Professorship in the College of Communication and Information.
Ken May (’94)
Ken May has served in management positions for FedEx/Kinkos, Krispy Kreme, TopGolf, and Urban Air Adventure Park. He’s credited with transforming company environments, lowering turnover rates, and increasing employee satisfaction at each post.
James I. Newsome III (’76, ’77)
James I. Newsome was president of Hapag-Lloyed, before he entered his current position as CEO and president of the South Carolina Ports Authority in 2009. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council and the Global Supply Chain Institute Advisory Board for the Haslam College of Business.
Arthur “A.B.” Culvahouse Jr. (’70)
After serving as chief legislative assistant for Senator Howard Baker, Arthur “A.B.” Culvahouse Jr. went to become White House counsel for President Ronald Reagan’s administration, and to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal. He has also served on the Haslam College of Business Advisory Board.
Mitch Patel (’91,’93)
Mitch Patel is founder, president, and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, a Chattanooga-based hotel and management company. He also serves on the Chattanooga Chamber Board Executive Committee and the Governor’s Tennessee Business Roundtable.
Larry W. Carroll (’78)
Larry Carroll, CEO at Carroll Financial, has been included more than a dozen times in Worth magazine’s listing of the nation’s most exclusive wealth managers and has served as national chairman of the Financial Planning Association.
Dwight “Book” Hutchins (’86)
As Asia Pacific managing director of Accenture’s strategy consulting practice for consumer products, Dwight Hutchins has worked with federal clients including the Department of the Treasury and Homeland Security, along with international clients from the World Bank and the United Nations.
Buck Lewis (’76, ’80)
A former president of the Tennessee Bar Association, George T. “Buck” Lewis is a shareholder in the Memphis office of Baker, Donelson and chair of the Appellate Practice Group.
Steve and Laura Morris (’76, ’79, and ’81)
Steve and Laura Morris served as vice chairs of the Campaign for Tennessee. They also established the M. Steven and Laura Capps Morris Endowed Scholarship in partnership with the Haslam Scholars Program.
Rachel Park Hurt (’07)
A partner at Knoxville law firm Arnett, Draper & Hagood LLP, Rachel Hurt has clerked with the Tennessee Supreme Court and served as an adjunct professor in the College of Law. She was also elected president of the Knoxville Barristers (Knoxville Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division).
Ashley Kerns (’05)
Since Ashley Kerns founded Kerns Marketing & Management to represent pro athletes, she has negotiated over $5 million in endorsements for her clients.
Alan D. Wilson (’80)
Since taking over as president and CEO of McCormick & Company Inc. in 2008, Alan Wilson and his team have moved their company forward through a “comprehensive continuous improvement” program that has helped more than double McCormick’s earnings per share.
Alan Greenberg (’72)
Alan Greenberg’s prolific career has focused on education, healthcare, and global travel services. At Proctor & Gamble, Greenberg launched the national distribution of Pringles Potato Chips, which now earns more than $1 billion in annual sales.
Martha S. (Missy) Wallen (’74)
Missy Wallen, chairman of Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., has served as chair of the College of Communication and Information’s Board of Visitors and on the UT Knoxville Alumni Board of Directors.
Mintha Roach (’74)
Mintha Roach, former president and CEO of the Knoxville Utilities Board, is just as well known for launching KUB’s leadership development program as she is for mentoring students in UT’s Haslam College of Business. Her service has also included stints as president of the UT Alumni Board of Directors and chair of the Chancellor’s Associates.
Matthew Thornton III (’01)
Since 2014, Matthew Thornton has been an independent director of the Sherwin Williams Company. He was previously senior vice president of air, ground, and freight services at FedEx. In 2016, he was recognized in Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list of the world’s most inspiring and influential African Americans.
Reggie McKenzie (’86)
Reggie McKenzie is a Vol football player, turned pro linebacker, turned UT assistant coach, turned NFL Executive of the Year as named by Sporting News. He’s currently senior personnel executive for the Miami Dolphins following seven seasons as the Oakland Raiders general manager.
Ralph D. Heath (’70, ’75)
During Ralph Heath’s 37-year career with Lockheed Martin, his experience in engineering and business development led him to help develop UT’s Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program, which prepares students for careers that demand knowledge in both areas.
Micah Johnson (’10)
Micah Johnson—co-founder, chief operating officer, and senior vice president of Bridge Public Affairs in Chattanooga—is the former communications director for Senator Bob Corker. She specializes in strategic and crisis communications, media relations, and digital advocacy.
Inky Johnson (07, ’09)
Inky Johnson, a Vol football player whose arm was paralyzed after an injury, worked for the UT Athletic Department before heading JustLead, a youth leadership program in Knoxville. Now, he’s a motivational speaker who shares his story with groups all around the country.
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