Eric Ogle is general manager for Trilight Communications, the broadband partner with Appalachian Electric Cooperative. Eric has spent much of his career involved in planning and public policy with a focus on technology-driven economic development. Prior to joining Trilight in 2019, Eric worked five years as a senior project manager with Magellan Advisors, a nationally recognized broadband planning firm, where he performed feasibility studies and developed fiber-optic business plans for 34 cities and electric utilities throughout the country, including nine utilities in Tennessee.

Prior to Magellan, Eric spent 12 years as research associate with the Baker Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee. While there, Eric worked throughout the 13-state Appalachian region serving as project manager for corporate and federally sponsored programs, typically working with community stakeholders in decision-making processes around sustainable local and regional development opportunities. Prior to UT, Eric held positions with Newport Utilities, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Cocke County government.

A native of Cocke County and a graduate of Cocke County High School, Eric holds a Master of Science in Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Marketing and Logistics, all from the University of Tennessee. When not working, Eric enjoys officiating high school football and lacrosse, and looks forward to traveling and spending time outdoors with friends and family. Eric lives in east Knox County with his wife, Jayne, and their three teenage daughters.

Julie is a graduate of Morristown West High School and attended Walters State Community College majoring in business. She is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Jefferson County and currently serves on the 2021 Executive Board of Directors as the Treasurer for the Chamber. 

She began her banking career in 1996 and has worked in various roles in retail and commercial banking, leading her teams to a profitable success for the bank.  Currently, she is the Assistant Vice President for Citizens National Bank (CNB) in Jefferson City.  Since 1973, Citizens National Bank, headquartered in Sevier County, offers it’s clients a full-line of banking services, including checking and savings accounts, card services, investment services, mortgage loans, personal and commercial loans, and digital banking products. Their commitment to high levels of customer service is reflected through their many convenient features. CNB has twenty-four (24) branches and fifty (50) ATMs located throughout East Tennessee. In addition, CNB in-store locations offer extended evening hours and weekend banking. 

Julie currently resides in New Market and has two children in college: Mikala and CJ.  Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, DIY projects and traveling.

Blake was born and raised in Jefferson County and graduated as salutatorian of his class at Jefferson County High School. He then attended Carson Newman University, receiving his Bachelor of Administration in 2004. During his tenure at CNU, Blake played baseball for the Eagles. Upon graduating CNU, Blake immediately entered the Clayton Management Training Program and has been working for the Clayton Home Building Group ever since. Currently, he is the plant manager for the Clayton-TRU facilities in White Pine and Halls. While in his current role, both facilities have seen tremendous growth and success with regards to productivity, engagement and turnover. Since forming in 2012, TRU has now built over 25,000 homes landing in 31 states across the country, many of those coming from White Pine and Halls. Blake feels very fortunate to be a part of such a great company and team, and really enjoys mentoring new management trainees, enhancing the team and customer experience, and building world-class products.

Blake currently resides in Alcoa with his wife Kelli, and two young children, Brewer and Elyn. Outside of work Blake enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, golfing, and traveling.

Cindy Holt has been the Director of Professional Outreach and Physician Recruiter for Tennova Healthcare since 2013. As DPO, she works locally with Jefferson Memorial Hospital and Newport Medical Center. Cindy has been successful in recruiting many specialists to Jefferson County and the surrounding area. Cindy went back to college as an adult and completed her Bachelor of Business Administration from King University. Originally from Houston, Texas she has made her home in East Tennessee for 30 years. She is married to Michael Holt, and together they have three married children and three grandchildren. Cindy spends her free time traveling and camping and with her grandchildren.

Brian Williams is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County. He graduated from JCHS in 1994 and Carson Newman College in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He is the General Manager of A & B Termite & Pest Control, a family-owned company that his parents, Joyce and the late Erby Williams, began in 1983. Brian enjoys serving his community in various ways including the New Market Utility Board and the Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity Board and is honored to serve the Jefferson County Chamber. Brian enjoys bird hunting and riding horses. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley watching their girls do what they love most: dance and cheer.

Claude Key is a retired Mechanical Engineer with over 40 years of experience in the nuclear industry. His experience encompassed the design, construction, modification and operation of nuclear facilities in the Southeastern United States. Claude’s experience includes 27 years as an employee for the Tennessee Valley Authority and approximately 16 years as a consulting engineer for utilities in the Southeast.

Prior to entering the field of engineering Claude served in the US Army from 1966 to 1969. Claude’s educational background includes a BS in Mechanical Engineering (1972) and an MS in Engineering Administration (1977) from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Currently Claude is assisting his wife Rita and daughter Susan in their chocolate business (Chocolate Ladies) located in Talbott, TN. The business specializes in custom made chocolates. The Chocolate Ladies also offer many chocolate favorites including chocolate dipped strawberries, grapes, cherries and truffles.

Claude Key lives in Talbott with his wife Rita. They have been married for 45 years and have two children, four grandchildren and two-great-grand children.

Chris was born and raised in Hamblen County.  He is a 1995 graduate of Morristown- Hamblen West High School.  He earned a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Biology in 1999 from Carson-Newman University where he was active in many organizations and served as a cheerleader for three years.  He earned a Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from Austin Peay State University in 2019. 

Chris has spent the last twenty-three years working with students and donors with three organizations.  He has spent the last six years at Walters State Community College where he serves as Assistant Vice President for College Advancement.  Walters State was awarded the 2019 CASE Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education due to the college’s three year giving record.

Chris enjoys learning about leadership as he completed Leadership Morristown in 2008, East Tennessee Regional Leadership in 2012, and Leadership Sevier in 2019.  He serves on the Youth Leadership of Hamblen County Board and served on the Youth Leadership Interview Panel for Jefferson County.

Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah; daughter, Grace; and son, Oliver.  You can find him boating on Cherokee Lake, cheering for the Senators, Vols, and Titans, or in his cul de sac hanging out with his neighbors.

Marc Manske has been the Site Leader for Oshkosh Manufacturing in Jefferson City, TN, for two and a half years.  Before taking on his role at Oshkosh Manufacturing, Marc worked for Oshkosh Defense in Oshkosh, WI, as a Plant Manager at three of the seven facilities.

Marc was born and raised in Wisconsin.  After high school, he joined the Marine Corp for four years and then returned to Wisconsin.

Marc is married with five kids and a granddaughter.  Besides spending time with his family, he also enjoys camping, fishing, and hunting.

Dr. Tony Miksa is the President of Walters State Community College. He came to Morristown after 21 years in higher education serving at several colleges in Illinois. He began his career in higher education as a mathematics instructor and assistant basketball coach. Dr. Miksa has also worked as an admissions counselor, dean of Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Health Programs, and a vice president of student and academic affairs. With Master’s and undergraduate degrees in mathematics, Dr. Miksa also holds a doctorate of Education and Community College Leadership from National Louis University in Chicago. In addition to continuing academic and campus growth projects at Walters State, Dr. Miksa spent his first years at Walters State actively engaging with students, business leaders and communities within the college’s 10-county service area. He and his wife have two children.

Kyle was born and raised in Jefferson County. He is a graduate of Jefferson County High School. Kyle attended Emory & Henry College where he received ungraduated degrees in Political Science, Public Policy and Community Service. He also received a graduate degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse.

Upon graduating, Kyle returned to Emory & Henry College to serve as a staff member in the Student Affairs department. During his 15 years at E&H, Kyle served in several roles including Director of Student Conduct, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs.

In 2018, Kyle returned to Jefferson County to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a business in Jefferson County. As a high school student and member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Class, Kyle identified a need for family focused recreation in the area. This dream was realized in the opening of Mossy Creek Mini Golf. The 18-hole miniature golf course is located on Highway 92 in Jefferson City across from the community center.

Since its opening, Mossy Creek Mini Golf has hosted thousands of rounds of golf as well as be a location for countless birthday parties and group outings. The course was selected as the 2020 recipient for the Pinnacle Tourism Award for Jefferson County.  Mossy Creek Mini Golf has also been selected by the US Pro Mini Golf Association to host the 2022 US Open of Professional Mini Golf. The week-long event will see competitors from all across the world converge on Jefferson County in May 2022.

Kyle is proud that Mossy Creek Mini Golf has become such a utilized resource by the community and is honored to bring so my people unfamiliar with the area to Jefferson County.

Kyle lives in Jefferson City with his wife Devyn who is a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School.

Kimberly “Kim” McGhee works at Appalachian Electric Cooperative as Energy Advisor.  Although new to the position, she is a veteran in the electric cooperative world. She discovered her passion as a young teenager when she took her first job at an amusement park. She quickly realized one of her greatest talents was working with people and serving others. She loves getting to know people and hearing their story. After serving a few years as a Jefferson City Reserve Firefighter and working 14 years in long-term senior care, she knew her calling was to serve. Despite all of this, it still felt as if something was missing.  In 2007, she became part of the Appalachian Electric Cooperative family, and it didn’t take long for her to realize, this was the place she wanted to continue pursuing a career she loved. She enjoys helping and teaching members of the electric cooperative about energy efficiency and all that the cooperative has to offer to make members’ lives better. When nominated for a seat on the chamber, she realized this was one more incredible way she could give back to Jefferson County.

Originally from Northeast Alabama, Kim and her family moved to Tennessee in the late 80’s. A graduate of Jefferson County High School, Kim resides in New Market with her husband Mike and her three amazing stepchildren.  When out of the office she enjoys her two Labrador Retrievers, camping and relaxing at the river.

Robert is an east Tennessee native. Born and resided in Jefferson County for most of his younger years, then moving to Knox County through high school. Robert returned to Jefferson County to attend Carson-Newman University majoring in accounting. After graduating in 2012, Robert immediately began working in the Treasurer’s Office at Carson-Newman, while obtaining his MBA, and has remained there ever since. Along with working in the Treasurer’s Office, Robert has also taught multiple accounting courses at the University. In July 2021, Robert was named the Chief Financial Officer managing all the financial and accounting services of the University. Robert has been blessed with his opportunities to help grow and advance the mission of Carson-Newman University.

Robert currently resides in Jefferson City with his wife, Chesley, and their daughter, Harper. Outside of work, Robert loves spending time with his family, fishing, and football.