JOHNSON CITY – The East Tennessee State University Foundation announced a change in the leadership of its board of directors during its annual membership meeting today (May 10).
Tim P. Jones, who has been chairman of the board since 2003, was recognized for the achievements realized under his leadership, while Leslie Parks Pope will become board chairman for 2007-08 after serving as vice chairman.
During Jones’ tenure as chairman, alumni and friends of the university gave $53.1 million to the ETSU Foundation. Of that amount, almost $18 million was designated for scholarships and other endowments, and the overall growth in endowments was $23 million (from $57.2 in 2003 to $80.2 million now).
With Jones’ leadership, the Reaching Higher capital campaign for quality academic and athletic opportunities and facilities was launched. In addition, the ETSU Foundation Carillon and Alumni Plaza, as well as the ETSU Pride Walk, were introduced. “These are the first two major gifts for the university’s second century, as we turn toward 2011 – our one hundredth anniversary,” said Dr. Richard Manahan, vice president for University Advancement and president of the ETSU Foundation.
Jones is former general manager and vice president of Press Inc., Johnson City. For their lifetime giving, he and his wife, Valda, are members of the ETSU Foundation’s Platinum Society, which honors donors whose cumulative contributions total in excess of $1 million, as well as the ETSU Legacy Circle for their planned gifts to support ETSU and the Foundation.
Jones will continue on the Foundation board as immediate past chairman.
Pope, chairman of The Parks Group, LLC, Johnson City, was elected chairman of the board and represents the Tennessee Board of Regents. She previously served as Foundation president (now called board chairman) from 1991-94.
Other officers elected for 2007-08 include D. Roger Kennedy, vice chairman, and several who will continue in their existing roles: Dr. Steve Conerly of Management Services/Strategic Planning, Johnson City, treasurer; M. Thomas Krieger, retired business executive, Jonesborough, secretary; Donald R. Raber, president, Aldebaran Financial Inc., Kingsport, chairman of the Investment Committee; Stuart E. Wood Jr., president, Holston Distributing Co., Johnson City, chairman of the Planned Giving Committee; and Wayne G. Basler, Kingsport, representing past chairmen of the board.
The following were elected to serve a first three-year term on the board of directors ending June 30, 2010: Frederick “Pal” Barger Jr., Kingsport; David A. Ogle, Sevierville; K. Newton Raff and Dennis L. Vonderfecht, Johnson City; and Dr. Susan Gentry Williams, Nashville. Elected to a second three-year term were Scott Niswonger, Greeneville; Art Powers, Johnson City; Janey Diehl, Jonesborough; and Michelle Livengood, Charlotte, N.C.
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The membership of the Foundation consists of more than 350 individuals from throughout the region and across the nation who devote their time and financial resources to the continuous improvement of educational opportunities at ETSU. Last year, the Foundation’s Charter was revised to reflect the organization’s future growth by allowing the membership to increase to 500 members.
The Foundation welcomed 38 new members:
- Gray: J. Craig Higgins, general manager, Mediserve Medical Equipment Inc.
- Greeneville: Dr. Henry C. Meece Jr. , superintendent, Greene Valley Developmental Center.
- Johnson City: Betty Brown, nationally renowned author and speaker; Dr. Louis A. Cancellaro, retired chief of staff of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Bunny Carter, general manager, Carnegie Hotel; Dr. Kyle T. Colvett, physician; S. Gregory Compton, president, Johnson City TriSummit Bank; Dr. Larry G. Graham, physician; Jim Hunter, Health Alliance PHO; Dr. George B. Kehler II, physician; John Marshall, president, Mountcastle Corp.; Dr. Richard McGowan, physician; Dr. Jack Nelson, retired chemical engineer, Eastman Chemical Co.; Dr. Diane Nelson, ETSU professor emerita of Biological Sciences and internationally known marine biologist; Dr. Robert D. Patton, former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and ETSU professor emeritus of Health Education; Lawrence Porterfield, retired business executive; James S. Rudy, Management Services/Strategic Planning; Frederick B. Warren, ETSU men’s golf coach; and Robert L. White, chief public relations officer, Johnson City Power Board.
- Jonesborough: Dr. Chris Sholes, physician, and Ed Simerly, vice president, sales, Moody Dunbar Inc.
- Kingsport: Sharon Alley, fitness instructor; John H. King, president/owner, Fairway Inc.; Randal R. Merritt, UBS Securities; and Mary Clemmer Ruth.
- Nashville: Clay Petrey, general counsel, Ayers Asset Management Inc.
- Newport: Dr. H. Kenneth Johnson II, physician.
- Piney Flats: Robert McNab, owner/president, Century Enterprises.
- Rockford: Bryan Daniels, executive vice president, Blount County Economic Development Board
- Rogersville: William L. Jenkins, former First District Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives.
- Amelia Island, Fla. : William P. Frank, president, The Principles Consulting Group.
- Dalton, Ga. : Dr. Eric R. Manahan, medical director, Southeastern Breast Care Specialists, and co-vice president and general surgeon, Dalton Surgical Group; and Dr. Jaime Ponce-Portugal, medical director, Gastric-Band Institute, and secretary/treasurer and general surgeon, Dalton Surgical Group.
- East Point, Ga. : Barbara Murphy Brooks, retired educator, University of Georgia.
- Charlotte, N.C. : M. Steven DeCarlo, president/chief executive officer, American Wholesale Insurance Group.
- Westminster, S.C. : Michael Banyas, retired business owner/executive.
- Burlington, Vt. : Lisa Alther, author.
- Inwood, W.Va. : Margaret Vorous, educator.
In addition, 23 individuals renewed their membership in the Foundation through June 30, 2015: Tennessee Lt. Gov. and Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey, Blountville; A. Lee Shillito, Bristol; Roderick Baty and W. Ashley Whitehurst, Erwin; Bill Graham, Gray; Richard B. Russell and Morris Turpin, Greeneville; Larry Calloway, Al Fatheree, Carol Ferguson, Kelly Godsey, Joe Grandy III, John Isaacs, Dr. Bill Linebarger, K. Newton Raff, Jim Rule, Judge Penny J. White and Guy B. Wilson Jr. , Johnson City; Tom Krieger, Jonesborough; Robert C. Hart, Kingsport; Ben Greene, Maryville; Eleanor Lowry, Atlanta, Ga.; and Steve Smith, Abingdon, Va.
ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. and the Foundation Board of Directors expressed their appreciation to these individuals for their support and service to ETSU. |
