Longtime public address announcer Ron Hall has been officially named the “Voice of Finley Stadium” in recognition of his two decades of service and lasting impact on Chattanooga sports.
The Stadium Corporation presented Hall with an encased microphone and a proclamation during a June 29 ceremony at Finley Stadium as he prepares to retire after 20 years behind the microphone. Since 2006, Hall has served as the public address announcer for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football games, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in local athletics.
In addition to Mocs football, Hall has announced UTC soccer matches, Chattanooga Football Club games, high school football contests, Scenic City Youth Football games and numerous major sporting events, including the 2009 NCAA Football Championship Series National Championship.
His voice also became so closely associated with the stadium that it served as the auto-attendant greeting for Finley Stadium’s main phone line.
“Ron is truly a part of Finley Stadium,” says Brian Wright, executive director of Finley Stadium and the First Horizon Pavilion. “We couldn’t have been more fortunate to have Ron for these 20 years, and it’s a well-deserved honor to call him ‘The Voice of Finley Stadium.’ We wish him the best.”
The Stadium Corporation board of directors approved the proclamation.
Hillis retires after decades of service with 9-1-1
Hamilton County 9-1-1 Shift Supervisor Jimmy Hillis has retired after more than 40 years in emergency communications and public safety, including more than 37 years of service with the Hamilton County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District.
Hillis began his career in emergency communications in 1985 and joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a telecommunicator April 8, 1989. He remained with the organization through its transition into the Hamilton County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District, advancing through the ranks before serving as shift supervisor.
In addition to his work with Hamilton County 9-1-1, Hillis has served as fire chief for Waldens Ridge Emergency Services, reflecting his longstanding commitment to public safety and community service.
Executive Director Jeff Carney praises Hillis for his leadership and mentorship throughout his career.
“Jimmy has always been a people person,” Carney says. “He met employees where they were, guided and developed countless telecommunicators and leaders, and brought a strong and unmistakable presence to every room he entered. Through his service and leadership, he has built a lasting legacy and placed his stamp on this agency in a way that will not be forgotten.”
Operations Director Barbara Loveless says Hillis’ retirement marks the end of an era for the agency.
“We will miss his booming voice, his passion for the work, his stories, his leadership and the energy he brought to Hamilton County 9-1-1,” Loveless says. “His service, leadership and impact will remain part of Hamilton County 9-1-1 for many years to come.”
UTC pair earns UT System President’s Awards
Two members of the UTC community have been named recipients of the 2026 UT System President’s Awards, the highest honor presented to faculty and staff across the University of Tennessee System.
UT System President Randy Boyd announced the awards, recognizing 14 faculty and staff members statewide for their leadership, service and impact. The annual awards honor employees whose work exemplifies the university’s Be One UT values.
Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu, professor and head of UTC’s Department of Engineering Management and Technology, received the President’s Award in the Optimistic and Visionary category.
Since joining UTC in 2019, Kaplanoglu has led research focused on biomechanics, rehabilitation robotics, wearable technology and artificial intelligence in healthcare. He also directs the Biomechatronic and Assistive Technology Lab and leads the UTC Research Institute’s Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative.
Kaplanoglu has secured research funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, the State of Tennessee and industry partners. His recent achievements include a U.S. patent for an upper-extremity tremor control device and a design patent for a rehabilitation platform, along with the 2025 UT Research Foundation Innovation Award.
Christopher Stokes, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life, earned the President’s Award in the Embrace Differences category.
A 2003 UTC graduate, Stokes has served the university for more than 20 years in Residence Life, TRIO programs, Multicultural Affairs, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. He’s helped launch initiatives including the Multicultural Ambassador Program, the Multicultural Presidents Council and the UTC Divine Nine Heritage Park.
The President’s Awards were established in 2016. Each recipient receives a commemorative plaque, a $3,000 award and will be honored during a special luncheon in August.
Martin elected chair of WTCI PBS board
WTCI PBS has elected David Martin as chair of its board of directors for the 2026-27 term.
Martin, a public relations professional who co-founded Heed PR in 2018, has served on the WTCI Board since 2022. A Knoxville native, he earned a bachelor’s degree from UTC and a master’s degree from University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
He also serves on the UT Alumni Association Board of Governors and is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga.
WTCI President and CEO Bob Culkeen says Martin’s leadership comes as the station continues to navigate the loss of federal funding while building on strong community support.
Martin says he looks forward to leading the organization over the next year as it continues its public media mission and pursues new goals for the Chattanooga community.
UTC announces top alumni honors
UTC has named Gary W. Rollins, Movita Steiner and Dr. Alexis Rollins Bennett as recipients of its highest annual honors for 2026, recognizing their leadership, service and professional accomplishments.
The honorees will be recognized during UTC Homecoming and celebrated at additional university events throughout the year.
Gary Rollins, a 1967 UTC graduate, will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the university’s highest honor presented to an alumnus.
Rollins spent more than 50 years helping build Rollins Inc. into one of the world’s leading consumer services companies, serving as chief executive officer from 2001 to 2022 before becoming executive chairman emeritus.
Beyond his business career, Rollins and his wife, Kathleen, have made a lasting impact on UTC through philanthropy. In 2018, they established the Gary W. Rollins College of Business with a historic $40 million gift and later contributed an additional $30 million to expand Fletcher Hall, creating new opportunities for business students.
Movita Steiner will receive the Outstanding Service Award for her longtime support of UTC and the UT System.
A Chattanooga business and community leader, Steiner and her late husband, Jack, have supported scholarships, athletics, academic programs and student initiatives. Her contributions include a major gift for a future Women’s Athletics Complex, endowed scholarships and continued investments that enhance the student-athlete experience.
Dr. Alexis Rollins Bennett, a 2016 graduate of UTC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, has been selected for the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Excellence Award.
Bennett serves as physical therapy manager at Erlanger, where she leads clinical teams and helped develop the region’s first advanced acute care physical therapy residency program. She also remains active at UTC as president of the Physical Therapy Alumni Board, a member of the UTC Alumni Board of Directors and an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Holmes earns ICMA manager credential
Collegedale City Manager Jon Holmes has earned the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association, a distinction held by 24 city managers in Tennessee.
The voluntary credential recognizes experienced local government executives who demonstrate professional achievement, ethical leadership and a commitment to continuing education.
Holmes, who became Collegedale’s city manager in January 2026, has more than 18 years of local government leadership experience and previously served as city manager in Aurora, Missouri, as well as in several other municipal and county leadership roles.
Womack named First Horizon president
First Horizon Bank has named veteran banker Lebron Womack as its new Chattanooga Market President as the bank celebrates 50 years serving the Chattanooga market.
Womack brings more than 30 years of banking experience, including more than 15 years with First Horizon, where he most recently served as senior vice president and commercial relationship manager.
A Chattanooga native and UTC graduate, Womack will oversee market growth, strengthen client relationships and expand the bank’s community presence while continuing First Horizon’s “Here for Good” mission.