OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

CURRENT CLASS

A growing, innovative city that preserves the relationships and sense of community that make Knoxville special, while intentionally recruiting and growing more private-sector businesses that create high-skill, high-wage careers. I want Knoxville to be a place where talented people can build careers, businesses, and families without having to leave our region for greater opportunity.

The local food scene. Since coming to Knoxville for college in 1998, I've loved watching the city's restaurant scene evolve. We now have an incredible variety of locally owned restaurants that rival what you find in much larger cities.

Create more intentional connections between our business, nonprofit, educational, and civic communities so that Knoxville grows collaboratively rather than in silos. We have tremendous talent and generosity in Knoxville; the opportunity is making it easier for those people, ideas, and resources to find one another.

"Shoe Dog" is currently on my nightstand

My father taught me that success should never make you forget the people who supported you on the way.

Take more chances, worry less about having it all figured out, and invest in people - the relationships you build will matter more than you realize.