ABOUT SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD
Board Officers
Alvin J. Nance Chair
CEO of LHP Development, formerly the longtime Executive Director and CEO of Knoxville’s Community Development Corp., and the former Vice Chairman of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
Nikitia Thompson Vice Chair
Owner/broker of Realty Executives – Nikitia Thompson Realty, a former Chair of the KUB Board, secretary of the Knoxville Chamber Board and a community leader who actively works on diversity and equity issues.
Richard H. Bass Secretary Treasurer
University of Tennessee graduate and a retired bank executive who served as trustee for the Maryland Sports Authority that issued bonds for construction of Orioles Park at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Ravens’ stadium, the Baltimore Convention Center and other facilities.
Jeff Hagood Assistant Secretary Treasurer
Founding partner with the Hagood Moody Hodge law firm, longtime President of the Knoxville Quarterback Club, and co-author of two sports-themed books – one on Vol standout Inky Johnson and the other, “A Perfect Season,” with UT Coach Phillip Fulmer.
Members at Large
Joan C. Cronan
UT Women’s Athletic Director Emeritus, speaker, author, consultant, community leader and member of eight different Halls of Fame.
Rosalyn Tillman
Dean (and previously Assistant Dean) of Pellissippi State Community College’s Magnolia Avenue campus for 21 years; almost 3,000 high school students have successfully completed the Summer Institute, a collaborative effort between Pellissippi State and Project GRAD that Tillman implemented and directs.
Tim Hill
Co-founder and President of Hatcher-Hill Properties, which develops commercial and mixed-use properties in Knoxville with a focus on historic preservation and revitalization; Hill serves as a Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commissioner, on the boards of Knox Heritage and CareCuts, and as President of the Bearden Village Council.
Support Staff
Rebecca “R.J.” Justice
City of Knoxville Chief of Urban Design and Development
Representing City of Knoxville Mayor
Chris Caldwell
Knox County Finance Director
Representing Knox County Mayor
Kim Bumpas
Visit Knoxville President
La Vonna Hamer
Visit Knoxville Executive Assistant
Sports Authority Internship Program
The Sports Authority Internship Program supports the inclusion of underserved and underrepresented students and retains talent in Knox County through opportunities within a variety of career fields associated with the multi-use stadium in Knoxville, thus creating a pipeline of professionals as a result of the program.