A new endowed scholarship at Tennessee Technological University will honor the legacy of late educator, counselor and public servant Charles F. Douglas. The North Chattanooga resident and Tennessee Tech alumnus established the scholarship through a substantial gift before his death earlier this year at age 88, with additional support expected from his estate.
Douglas earned degrees in secondary education and counseling from Tech and credited the university with shaping his career. The Charles F. Douglas Scholarship will support students in Tech’s College of Education and Human Sciences, helping future educators pursue their degrees.
“Charles loved Tennessee Tech, and he always said Tech is what got him started in his career,” says Sherry Nance, who helped carry out Douglas’ wishes.
College Dean Lisa Zagumny says Douglas’ generosity will open doors for future educators and continue his lifelong commitment to service and learning.
UTC professor earns athletic trainer honor
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professor Marisa Colston has received the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.
The award recognizes athletic trainers who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained service to the profession and to SEATA. Colston, who joined UTC’s faculty in 1999, previously served as director of the Graduate Athletic Training program and as head of the Department of Health and Human Performance.
Colston has earned numerous honors throughout her career, including the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and induction into the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society Hall of Fame. Her research focuses on injury prevention and the ethical and professional dimensions of athletic training.
UTC professor Gary Wilkerson, who nominated Colston for the award, praises her unwavering commitment to students, athletes and the profession.
Colston calls the recognition “a privilege” and says she was “thrilled” to learn she’d been selected for one of SEATA’s highest honors.
Chambliss adds health care attorney
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has welcomed attorney Jennifer Vessels to its health care practice, where she’ll advise providers and nonprofit organizations on regulatory, compliance and operational matters.
As senior counsel, Vessels brings extensive experience in healthcare law, including HIPAA compliance, cybersecurity, telemedicine, physician employment agreements, corporate governance and fraud and abuse regulations. Before joining the firm, she worked in-house for health care providers, handling a broad range of legal, privacy and compliance issues.
Vessels holds multiple health care compliance certifications and is active in several professional organizations, including the Health Care Compliance Association and the American Health Law Association.
She earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School and her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She’s licensed to practice law in Tennessee and New York.
Regional leaders join leadership academy
Fifteen senior leaders from across Southeast Tennessee have been selected for induction into the inaugural Porter Development Initiative Leaders Academy and will represent the region at an executive convening at Vanderbilt University June 23-26.
The Academy, led by Global Action Platform in partnership with the Porter Development Initiative, is part of the Tennessee Leaders Action Platform, a statewide network of leaders organized into eight regional economic zones.
Nominees are chosen by regional steering committees and the Tennessee University Presidents Council based on their capacity for impact, commitment to collaboration, ethical leadership and dedication to advancing economic opportunity and community well-being. Approximately 135 leaders from across Tennessee and neighboring counties will be inducted this year.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Global Action Platform chairman and CEO Scott T. Massey announced the Southeast Tennessee delegation.
Those selected include Danna Bailey of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative; Carl Campbell of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority; Kirsten Ert Acuff, city manager of Lakesite; Lakweshia Ewing, founder of Unlearn Everything and Live; Kelly Fitzgerald of Second Story Real Estate Management; Martin Granum, city manager of Red Bank; Elizabeth Hammitt of EPB; David Johnson of Chattanooga’s Department of Parks & Outdoors; Tasia Malakasis, CEO of CO.LAB; Shannon Millsaps of THRIVE Regional Partnership; Lisa Moore of PlayCore; Janet Rehberg, CEO-elect of EPB; Dr. Chandra Ward of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Scott Wilson of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority; and Kumar Yelamarthi, dean of UTC’s School of Engineering and Computer Science.
The academy is designed to strengthen regional competitiveness and shared prosperity through a data-driven curriculum based on the research of Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter. Participants will use Harvard case studies, economic competitiveness scorecards and specialized regional data to address economic and social challenges.
During the Vanderbilt session, delegates will work together to develop action plans focused on key opportunities for their region, with projects shared statewide to encourage collaboration and implementation.
“Economic development does not conform to municipal boundaries,” Kelly says. “The most successful cities cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with their regional neighbors.”
Massey says the initiative is building a network of leaders committed to strengthening long-term competitiveness and opportunity throughout their regions.
EPB names president of strategic initiatives
EPB has appointed Robert Long as president of strategic initiatives. In his new role, Long will lead initiatives designed to leverage EPB’s infrastructure to benefit customers and create new economic opportunities for the Chattanooga region.
EPB President and CEO-elect Janet Rehberg says Long’s broad leadership experience and financial expertise make him well-suited to help guide the utility’s future growth.
Long brings nearly 30 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, healthcare and technology sectors. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer of Novonix Limited and previously founded and led Bridges Consumer Healthcare.
“As a lifelong Chattanoogan, I’ve seen EPB grow and evolve into a company that’s constantly working to empower customers,” Long says, noting the utility’s advancements in smart grid technology, high-speed internet and quantum innovation.
Earlier in his career, Long held executive leadership positions with Shaw Industries, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare and Chattem. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he’s also served in leadership roles with several professional and community organizations.
Patel among 49 to attend Governor’s School
Rani Patel of Hamilton County was among 49 students from across Tennessee selected to participate in the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Humanities at the University of Tennessee at Martin during June.
The four-week summer program provides rising high school juniors and seniors with an opportunity to experience college life while earning college credit in humanities-focused courses. Students also participate in enrichment classes, seminars and presentations from guest speakers.
Hosted annually by the University of Tennessee at Martin, the Governor’s School for the Humanities is designed to challenge academically talented students and introduce them to a collegiate learning environment before graduation.
Hicks named Signal CEO
Signal Centers has named Heather Hicks as its next chief executive officer following a nationwide search, succeeding longtime CEO Donna McConnico after 25 years of leadership.
The Signal Centers board of directors unanimously selected Hicks after a competitive search process that attracted candidates from across the country. Board members cited her vision, leadership experience and deep understanding of the organization’s mission as key factors in the decision.
A Chattanooga native and graduate of Girls Preparatory School, Hicks joined Signal Centers in 2008 and most recently served as executive director of statewide services. She led the Tennessee Child Care Resource and Referral Network, expanded support services for childcare providers and launched initiatives focused on business sustainability and inclusive learning environments for children of all abilities.
Hicks is recognized statewide for her work in early childhood education and child care accessibility. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has contributed to statewide and national efforts to improve childcare quality and literacy development.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Hicks is a 2026 Woman of Distinction honoree, a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and an active community volunteer. Board members said her combination of strategic vision, organizational knowledge and commitment to service positions Signal Centers for continued growth and innovation.
Red Bank manager selected for initiative
Red Bank City Manager Martin Granum has been selected to participate in the inaugural Tennessee Leaders Action Platform, a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness, workforce development and regional collaboration.
As part of the program, Granum attended the Porter Development Initiative Leaders Academy June 23-26 at Vanderbilt University, joining leaders from government, business, higher education and nonprofit organizations from across Tennessee.
Led by Global Action Platform, the Tennessee Leaders Action Platform brings together regional leaders to develop strategies focused on innovation, economic growth and improving quality of life. The initiative emphasizes workforce alignment, community development and cross-regional collaboration to support long-term prosperity throughout the state.
“Participation in the Tennessee Leaders Action Platform provides a valuable opportunity for Red Bank to help shape regional strategies that support innovation, workforce development and long-term economic success,” Granum says. “Collaboration at this level ensures that communities like ours have a voice in building a stronger, more competitive Tennessee.”
Granum says he’s grateful for the opportunity to represent Red Bank and contribute to discussions focused on the future economic success of the region and the state.