The Chattanooga Area Food Bank has announced two leadership changes aimed at bolstering its capacity to serve families amid tightening federal resources. Corey Evatt has been promoted to director of data insights and innovation, while Ghyrn Wakefield has been named chief development officer.
The dual appointments come as the nonprofit faces significant financial headwinds. Recent changes to federal funding and tax law have already resulted in the cancellation of 13 planned food shipments between April and July. In addition, the end of the Local Food Purchase Assistance program has left a significant gap in support.
Further complicating matters, newly signed federal tax legislation is expected to alter eligibility rules, benefit levels and administrative funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, potentially reducing assistance for many low-income families.
Against this backdrop, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is investing in strategic leadership to strengthen its data-driven operations and expand its fundraising reach. The organization works with more than 250 hunger-relief partners to serve food-insecure individuals across 20 counties in Tennessee and Georgia.
Evatt, formerly the food bank’s partner services manager, brings a background in analytics, user experience, community engagement and project management to his new role. He also serves on the board of directors for the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. As director of data insights and innovation, Evatt will lead initiatives that use data to improve operational efficiency.
Wakefield brings more than 14 years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, he served as executive director of Hope + Life Church in Auburn, Washington. His background also includes leadership roles at Stone Church and a tenure as an educator in Hamilton County Schools. As chief development officer, Wakefield will oversee the food bank’s fundraising strategies and donor engagement efforts.
Wade appointed to UT board of trustees
Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally has appointed David Wade, CEO of EPB and a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Distinguished Alumnus, to the University of Tennessee board of trustees.
Wade, a 2004 UTC graduate, brings more than four decades of experience in energy, infrastructure, and public service to the statewide board, which governs the UT System’s campuses and institutes.
Wade began his career at EPB in 1983 in an entry-level job assisting linemen. He returned to UTC to earn a degree in engineering management while working full time. In 2016, he was named president and CEO of EPB, the publicly owned utility formerly known as the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga.
Under Wade’s leadership, EPB has launched several nationally recognized initiatives, including the development of Chattanooga’s fiber optic network and the nation’s most advanced automated power distribution system. He also spearheaded EPB Quantum and made internet speeds of up to 25 Gigs available community-wide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wade led the creation of HCS EdConnect powered by EPB, a long-term initiative that provides no-cost internet to more than 28,000 Hamilton County students and their families.
Wade continues to support UTC through his service on the College of Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Board.
CHI Strategy names Sloan vice president
CHI Memorial has appointed Lauren Sloan as its new vice president of strategy. In her new role, Sloan will lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the hospital’s mission of delivering exceptional health care services to the Chattanooga region.
As vice president, Sloan will collaborate with CHI Memorial’s leadership, physicians and staff to identify opportunities for growth, innovation and improved patient outcomes.
Sloan most recently served as director of population health and clinical analytics at Health First Health Plan, where she oversaw analytical initiatives impacting more than 100,000 members. Under her leadership, the organization improved its quality ratings by implementing data-driven strategies, streamlined its clinical analytics workflows to reduce report turnaround by 25%, and lowered operational costs by 30% through optimized staffing and efficiency measures.
In earlier roles, Sloan led population health strategy for one of the nation’s top-performing Medicare accountable care organizations, achieving over $111 million in cost reductions while maintaining exceptional quality scores. Her work in operational and clinical data analysis identified $15 million in savings opportunities, leading to the successful implementation of strategic changes that yielded $17 million in annual savings.
She also designed a bundled payment program that increased advanced care planning compliance by more than 200% in just two months, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and reduced costs.
Bradley adds veteran appellate partner
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings has expanded its litigation and appellate practice with the addition of veteran appellate lawyer Robert Parsley as a partner. Parsley, a respected figure in the Tennessee legal community, joins Bradley after nearly two decades at Miller & Martin, where he chaired the firm’s appellate practice group for more than 10 years.
Parsley focuses his practice on civil litigation, with a particular emphasis on appellate work. He represents clients in both state and federal courts across Tennessee and Georgia, as well as in multiple federal appellate circuits.
In addition to his legal practice, Parsley holds several prominent leadership roles. He serves as president of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners – an appointment made by the Tennessee Supreme Court. He also sits on the board of directors for the American Bar Association’s Council of Appellate Lawyers, where he’s the Tennessee state chair, and is a founding member of the executive council for the Appellate Practice Section of the Tennessee Bar Association.
Bradley’s appellate team handles appellate matters nationwide and has achieved victories for clients in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and automotive to financial services. The team also plays a strategic role during trial proceedings, particularly in mass tort and multidistrict litigation, helping position cases for success at both the trial and appellate levels.
HHM CPAs expands Chattanooga team
HHM CPAs has announced the addition of two experienced professionals to its Chattanooga office, along with six new staff accountants, strengthening its capacity to serve clients across multiple industries.
Kristen Seltenright joins as a dealership specialist, bringing more than 20 years of experience in dealership accounting. Based in Chattanooga, she will support clients with audits, schedule reviews and on-site training for dealership accounting teams. Her background includes serving as a corporate controller for a multi-rooftop auto group and working as a consultant with expertise in dealership operations, DMS conversions and organizational restructuring.
Also joining the Chattanooga office is Will Hubbell, who steps into the role of senior accountant. He specializes in audit planning, workpaper preparation and drafting financial statements, with a background in construction and employee benefit plan audits. A graduate of Maryville College and a former collegiate baseball player, Hubbell began his accounting career at a Knoxville-based CPA firm.
In addition, HHM welcomed six new staff accountants: Ashton Kelley, Jacob Swafford, Drake Dupree, Payal Patel, Sam Ramsey and Londyn Horton. These new team members further bolster the firm’s capacity as it continues to grow and serve clients throughout the Southeast.
Siskin Hospital names new chief operating officer
Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation has promoted Tracy Reed to chief operating officer, expanding her leadership responsibilities while she continues serving as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.
Reed, who joined Siskin in 2015, brings more than 40 years of hands-on and health care management experience to the role. She will help oversee hospital operations and maintain a safe, effective environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Reed holds a doctorate in nursing practice from American Sentinel University, an MBA from Kennesaw State University and a BSN from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She also carries multiple advanced certifications, including Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
In addition to her executive responsibilities at Siskin, Reed serves as a part-time faculty member in Lee University’s doctor of nursing practice program. She’s lived in the Cleveland, Tennessee area for more than a decade.
Red Bank vice mayor reappointed to MPO board
Hollie Berry, vice mayor of Red Bank, has been reappointed to a second term as vice chair of the executive board for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The MPO’s executive board is composed of elected officials from the region and a representative from the Tennessee Governor’s office. It plays a key role in coordinating regional transportation planning, securing federal and state infrastructure funding and setting long-term priorities for mobility and safety.
Berry says she’s looking forward to the MPO’s upcoming adoption of its “Safe Streets and Roads for All” and “Vision Zero” policies in August. She supports the commitment to eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
“No number of transportation-related fatalities or serious injuries should be considered acceptable,” Berry says. “This policy will provide a solid framework for member jurisdictions to make similar commitments to the safety of all road users.”
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia MPO is responsible for transportation planning in a multi-county region that includes Hamilton County, Tennessee, and Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties in Georgia. The organization ensures that all jurisdictions work together to create a coordinated, forward-looking transportation network that meets regional needs.
Red Wolves extend Mackenzie through 2026
The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club has exercised the contract option for Technical Director and Head Coach Scott Mackenzie, extending his leadership through the 2026 USL League One season.
The Red Wolves are in the midst of one of their most promising seasons to date. With the regular season entering its final third, the team sits in second place in the USL League One standings and remains in playoff contention. Off the field, Mackenzie has emphasized internal development and the promotion of academy talent.