History

Generation TN was founded in 2004 by a group of individuals who were committed to building a grassroots leadership organization to effect positive changes in Tennessee. That summer, more than 200 young professionals from across Tennessee convened in Nashville for a two day networking and leadership development conference that sought to inform and inspire a new generation of leaders.

The conference brought together young professionals and some of Tennessee’s most influential and recognizable leaders. While many of the participants were already leaders in their own rite, the chance to be face to face with the likes of Gov. Phil Bredesen, among others, presented a very unique opportunity.

Almost 4 years have passed since that first meeting, and Generation TN is going stronger than ever. Plans are currently underway for the fifth annual conference, and the organization looks forward to yet another successful year.

2008 Executive Committee

Jessica Martin (Co-Chair), Nashville
Jessica Martin, an account executive for McNeely Pigott & Fox (MP&F) Public Relations, is a Nashville native and proud graduate of the University of Tennessee. At MP&F, Jessica works for variety of clients ranging from large, national accounts such as the U.S. Department of Labor and smaller, local clients such as Sunset Grill and Midtown Café. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Tennessee in 2004.

Amanda Norman (Co-Chair), Nashville
A graduate of Brown University (A.B. Visual Art, Honors, 2004), Amanda Norman is a self-employed artist, designer, and creative consultant. Amanda has paintings in private collections across the country, and has donated numerous works of art to non-profit organizations throughout Middle TN. Ms. Norman has also served as an event planner and tablescape designer for several fundraisers, including Magdalene’s Love Feast and Second Harvest Food Bank’s Cooking Wild with Jeff Fisher. She is an active volunteer with The Harpeth Hall School including serving on the Head’s Young Alumnae Council and the Distinguished Alumnae Committee. A resident of Nashville, TN, Amanda is currently co-chairing the 2008 Generation Tennessee Executive Committee.

Shali Atkinson, Memphis

Jessica Betts, Nashville
Jessica Betts is the Resource Development Manager for the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. She is responsible for management of workplace campaigns, development of new workplace campaigns, and building relationships with current and prospective leadership givers in the entertainment, sporting, insurance, and legal communities. She also recently started her own consulting firm, Better Strategies, Inc., which specializes in business development and relationship facilitation between government and corporate entities. Betts was the former Development Coordinator for Cumberland Region Tomorrow (CRT), a sustainable development and comprehensive planning organization for the Cumberland Region of Middle Tennessee. Jessica came to CRT after serving three years as a member of Governor Phil Bredesen’s campaign finance team and as the Finance Director for the Tennessee Democratic Party. Jessica is an active member of the board for the Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee, the Gabe’s My Heart board, and she is serving her third year as Co-Chair for the state-wide fund development committee for GenTN. A native Nashvillian, Betts is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, where she received her BS in Economics and Business Administration. She is an avid skier, runner, equestrian, and rock climber.

Gina Bever, Chattanooga
Gina Bever, a communications consultant for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, grew up in Columbus, Ohio, but is proud to call Chattanooga – and Tennessee – home. She became involved in GenTN in 2007 and is excited to get more Chattanoogans involved in GenTN through her work on the recruitment committee. In addition to GenTN, Gina’s involved in the Public Relations Society of America, the Young Professional Association of Chattanooga, the Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga, and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

Sam Davidson, Nashville
Sam Davidson is the co-founder and president of CoolPeopleCare, Inc. Telling the stories that need telling in order to motivate others to change the things that need changing, Sam is a social entrepreneur who aims to connect the next generation with the work of nonprofits. His first book, “New Day Revolution: How to Change the World in 24 Hours” hit the shelves on Nov. 1. He is married to Lynnette and both currently live in Nashville, Tennessee. The two don’t have any children, but when they do, they hope they will grow up in a world free from hate and fear, where ideas and creativity are valued.

Whitney Haslam, Knoxville
Whitney began her career in accounting at Marriott Corporation. At the age of 23 she was the Assistant Controller of the Memphis Marriott Downtown. She was recognized by Marriott as top employee in the Southeast for 2003. In the Fall of 2003, she joined the Bush Campaign as the southeast finance campaign manager. She joined Pilot Travel Centers in 2005 as a Category Manager and now also has taken on the Creative Services Manager position for Pilot as well. In this role she oversees the overall creative direction for all 290 travel centers and 40 convenient stores. Named as one of the 30 under 30 in the state of Tennessee by Business TN (February 2005), Ms. Haslam serves on the Executive committee of The Knoxville Museum of Art, the Red Cross Development Committee, the Haslam 3 Foundation and the Knoxville Young Professionals Executive Committee.

Eddie Jackson, Pulaski
Eddie Jackson is a native of Giles County TN and currently serves as a Vice President / Chief Operations Officer at PES (formerly know as Pulaski Electric System). Eddie is a 1998 Electrical Engineering graduate from Tennessee Technological University and enjoys missions work with his church.

Katie Koban, Nashville
Katie Koban was born in Nashville, Tenn., and lived there for the first 18 years of her life. She then moved to Boulder, Colo. and attended the University of Colorado. Koban graduated in 2004 and moved back to Nashville to attend Nashville School of Law. Currently in her fourth and final year of law school, she will graduate in May. She works part time as a Law Clerk for Butler and Associates; she also tutors children at the Martha O’Bryan Center, is a Provisional Member of the Junior League… and a huge Volunteers fan.

Jay Mayfield, Knoxville
Jay Mayfield is a Chattanooga native now living in Knoxville. A media relations coordinator at the University of Tennessee, he is responsible for media relations efforts related to UT science, research, IT and environmental work. Mayfield is an alumnus of McCallie School in Chattanooga, and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The George Washington University and a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Georgia. A ninth-generation Tennessean, Mayfield is an active member of First Baptist Church of Knoxville and is a former executive director of the Tennessee Young Democrats. He is the chair-elect of GenerationTN.

Mackenzie McCracken, Nashville
Mackenzie is the Advancement Administrative Coordinator at the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an active volunteer with the Junior League, and serves on the boards of the Tomorrow Fund and Generation Tennessee. She is an alumna of the Harpeth Hall School (2000) and graduated cum laude in 2004 from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Mackenzie enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Lacey Holloway McDonald, Johnson City
Lacey Holloway McDonald is a native East Tennessean. She is the Executive Director of the non-profit initiative Appalachian Mountain Project Access, which coordinates healthcare services for the uninsured. Lacey has also been involved with many political campaigns, most recently doing fundraising, events, and advance for a Senate campaign. Her other interests include promoting social responsibility, architectural preservation, and engaging young people in the political process. Lacey and her husband Erik have two canine children, Griffey and Lily.

Melinda Medlin, Memphis
Melinda Medlin is a Senior Advisor at Capitol Network, Inc., a Washington, D.C. based, full service public relations and political consulting firm. Capitol Network represents a diverse client list, including fortune 500 companies; small businesses; federal, state and political leaders; and non-profit organizations. With more than 15 years of professional experience, Melinda has a proven background in communications, event production and political strategy. Melinda has worked for some of the most nationally recognizable elected officials, including Vice President and Mrs. Al Gore, Senator Ted Kennedy and Governor Phil Bredesen.

Brad Northcut, Nashville
Brad Northcut was raised in Chattanooga, TN, and graduated from Hixson High School before earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the UT College of Architecture and Design (1996-2001), where he was a member of the UT Men’s Club Volleyball and Crew teams and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. During that time he also gained experience in various fields of design and construction industries through an internship in Jackson Hole, WY, and University sponsored community outreach design/build programs in Chattanooga. Brad moved to Nashville in 2002, and is currently employed with the award winning firm of Dryden Abernathy Architecture and Design (DAAD). He continues to play volleyball competitively year round, and is involved with several professional and non-profit groups including Generation TN, Nashville Emerging Leaders, The Tomorrow Fund, Young Architects Forum, and the Urban Land Institute.

Freddie O’Connell, Nashville
Freddie O’Connell is a native Nashvillian and an alumnus of Montgomery Bell Academy (1995) and Brown University (2000, AB/ScB). A former candidate for State House of Representatives, he has long been active in the political and non-profit worlds. He is currently serving on the boards of the Belcourt Theatre and Walk/Bike Nashville. With Mary Mancini, he co-hosts Liberadio(!), a political talk radio show that broadcasts live on WRVU-FM on Monday mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Professionally, Freddie works as the Director of Technology at NashvillePost.com, Nashville’s premier source of business and political news.

Eric Robertson, Memphis
Eric Robertson, Economic Development Director for the LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corporation (LOCCDC) is a native Memphian. Mr. Robertson attended the University of Memphis, where he majored in Anthropology with a concentration in Urban Studies and this year was one of the youngest recipients of an Outstanding Alumni Award. Eric currently serves as the Past Chairman of the Board of MPACT Memphis, the largest young professional/ creatives membership organization in the city. Eric graduated in 2006 from the Leadership Memphis Executive Program and is currently serving on the Program Planning Committee. Recently Eric was asked to join the founding Executive Committee of the Memphis Regional Design Center.

Marissa Moses Russ, Nashville
Originally from Nashville, TN, Marissa Russ went to college at Tulane University in New Orleans, and returned closer to home to attend The University of Tennessee College of Law. She is currently practicing law with her mother at the law firm of Moses & Townsend, PLLC. Married in 2007 to Ben Russ, also a practicing attorney, they have a dog names Liti. Marissa’s most rewarding volunteer experience is teaching 1st graders at Sunday School each week.

Douglas Scarboro, Memphis
Dr. Douglas Scarboro is the Director of Community Engagement at The Leadership Academy, where he provides innovative opportunities for alumni to engage with one another and develops programming and events in partnership with The Leadership Academy alumni and community partners. Dr. Scarboro has a BA in political science from Morehouse College, an MBA from Campbell University and Ed. D. in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Memphis. Dr. Scarboro’s current scholarly research focuses on the use of cultural competency training in pharmacy pre-professionals and evaluating leadership development programs in Memphis and Shelby County. In his spare time, Dr. Scarboro is a board member of Lantana Projects, a non-profit (501c3) dedicated to making Memphis, TN a leader in the global contemporary arts community, an adjunct professor of Organizational Behavior at Christian Brothers University and assists MIFA (Memphis Inter Faith Association) and RISE (Responsibility, Initiative, Solutions and Empowerment) with community based initiatives.

Brandon Tidwell, Memphis
Brandon Tidwell is part of the FedEx Social Responsibility office, offering strategic insight to the corporation regarding philanthropic strategy around the globe. Formerly the Director of Training at The Leadership Academy, Brandon served as both a trainer and full-time program director of the nationally-recognized Fellows’ program. Brandon also trains public education leaders through New Leaders for New Schools, Teach for America, and the Tennessee Charter School Association. Brandon is actively engaged in Memphis PREP Academy Charter School Board, the Mpact Advisory Board, and is on the statewide planning committee for GenTN. Brandon holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Baylor University.

Dawn Tittle, Union City
Dawn Tittle is currently Director of Training for First State, a financial services company based out of Union City, TN. Dawn’s education includes a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and a M.M. from the University of Phoenix. Aside from work, Dawn’s time is spent working with Boys and Girls Club of America, GenTN, the Band of Blue Alumni Club, Masquerade Theatre of Union City and her church. She is quite passionate about music and football.

Marcus Whitney, Nashville

Cara Wilson, Nashville

Matt Wiltshire, Nashville
Matt is a Director in Investment Banking at Avondale Partners, LLC, where he provides mergers and acquisitions advice and raises capital for companies primarily in the consumer industry. Matt serves on the Boards of Hands On Nashville and the Sennet Society of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and is an active member of Belmont United Methodist Church. A Nashville native, Matt graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College. Matt is married to Lisa Wiltshire and they have two sons, John Ashley and Alex.

Jeff Yarbro, Nashville

Board of Directors

Jennifer Brundidge	Matthew Wiltshire
Byron Trauger