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.
Members at Large
Jeff Hagood
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.
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
Stephanie Welch
City of Knoxville Chief Economic and Community Development Officer
Representing City of Knoxville Mayor
Chris Caldwell
Knox County Finance Director
Representing Knox County Mayor
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.
