TTDC Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Bill Evans, Chairman - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Tom Ballard - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Bruce Doeg - Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz
Ron Feinbaum - Scripps Networks
Craig Fitzhugh - Tennessee House of Representatives
Jim Frierson - Advanced Transportation Technology Institute
Bill Haslam - City of Knoxville
Ken Holroyd - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Kevin Humphries - FedEx
Matt Kisber - Department of Economic & Community Development
Mark Maddox - Tennessee House of Representatives
Dan Marcum - Marcum Capital
Ted Nelson - ThermaMasters, Inc.
Mike Niederhauser - MN Rentals
Jim Phillips - Pinnacle Enterprises
Andrew Seamons - Pittco Management
Paula Short - Tennessee Board of Regents
Paul Stanton - East Tennessee State University
Ron Washington - Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Leslie Wisner-Lynch - BioTN Foundation
Stewart Witzeman - Eastman Chemical

Bill Evans, Chairman - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Dr. William E. Evans, is Director and Chief Executive Officer of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and holds the St. Jude professorship and endowed chair at the University of Tennessee Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. For the past 30 years, his research at St. Jude has focused on the pharmacogenomics of anticancer agents in children, for which he has received three consecutive National Institutes of Health MERIT Awards from the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Evans has authored more than 300 articles and numerous book chapters, has been the editor of several textbooks and scientific journals, and has received several national awards for his research. He is recognized by ISI as a “Highly Cited Scientist” because citations of his publications are among the top one percentile of scientists worldwide in his field. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 2002.

Tom Ballard - Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Thomas B. Ballard is the inaugural Director of the Partnerships Directorate for UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The new organization added two strategic responsibilities – industrial and educational partnerships – to the former Technology Transfer and Economic Development directorate which Ballard had headed as interim director since 2007. Mr. Ballard serves on the board of directors of several organizations, including the East Tennessee Economic Council (past chair), East Tennessee State University’s Innovation Park, National Transportation Research Center Inc., Oak Ridge Economic Partnership (chair), Technology 2020, Tennessee Valley Corridor, Inc. (past chair) and Tennessee Valley Corridor Foundation (chair). He also serves on the advisory board for The University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services and is a member of the Southern Technology Council. He was named the second “Tennessee Valley Corridor Champion” in 2005.

Bruce Doeg - Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz

Bruce C. Doeg, chair of Baker Donelson’s Business Department, concentrates his practice in the area of business law, with an emphasis on technology. He previously chaired both the Mergers & Acquisitions Group and the Business Technology Group for the firm. Mr. Doeg also has formed and represented venture and seed capital funds. He has authored numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on business and technology law topics. Doeg currently serves on the board of the Nashville Technology Council and the International Business Council of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. He has authored several publications and is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association.

Ron Feinbaum - Scripps Networks

Ron H. Feinbaum is the Senior Vice President of Consumer Products for HGTV at Scripps Networks, where he is responsible for expanding the brand offerings by growing the existing businesses in new directions and looking externally for partners and acquisitions. Prior to this position, Mr. Feinbaum led the strategy and management of all Scripps Networks Interactive properties. Mr. Feinbaum joined The E.W. Scripps Company, the corporate parent of Scripps Networks, in 1998 as its first analyst dedicated to the Internet and new media. He then acted as director of Web services before moving to Scripps Networks in 2000 to lead the online division. Prior to joining Scripps, he spent time at Trader Publishing where he worked as a project manager for Auto Trader online. He then went to work for InfiNet, a newspaper consortium tasked with putting publications online during the infancy of the Internet and exploring possible expansion by publishers into the Internet service provider business.

Craig Fitzhugh - Tennessee House of Representatives

Rep. Craig Fitzhugh has represented Tennessee’s 82nd legislative district as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives since 1994. He is the current chairman of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the Council on Pension and Insurance. Rep. Fitzhugh also serves as the chairman and CEO of the Bank of Ripley, which he joined in 1992. Through the Bank of Ripley, he created a grant program that has provided more than $200,000 to supplement classroom resources for local teachers. The Bank of Ripley has earned six State Quality Awards and was named one of the Best Employers in Tennessee in 2007. Rep. Fitzhugh is active in the Tennessee Banker's Association and will serve as chairman of the state-wide organization in 2010.

Jim Frierson - Advanced Transportation Technology Institute

Jim Frierson serves as Executive Director of the Advanced Transportation Technology Institute, a national non-profit organization promoting the development of electric, hybrid-electric and other clean transportation technologies that encourage a healthy environment and energy independence. In 2001, he founded the Kruesi Center for Innovation. The family-supported Kruesi Award, given by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s first community-based award for innovative products, technologies and services. He is also vice chairman of the Tennessee District Export Council. Mr. Frierson serves as the public representative on the board of the Tennessee Architecture Foundation and is a board member of the Chattanooga Technology Council.

Bill Haslam - City of Knoxville

Mayor Bill Haslam has served as the mayor of Knoxville since 2003, and is currently running for governor of Tennessee. Previously, Mayor Haslam was president and director of Pilot Corp., a Knoxville-based company operating convenience stores and travel centers nationwide. He also is the former chief executive officer of SAKS Direct, the e-commerce and catalogue division of Saks Fifth Avenue. He has served in leadership roles in numerous charities and non-profit organizations in the Knoxville area, including chairman of the board and general chairman of the United Way of Greater Knoxville; chairman of the board and president, Project GRAD; executive committee chairman, Young Life of Knoxville; chairman of the board and executive committee, Salvation Army; chairman of the board, East Tennessee Center for Non-Profit Management; campaign chairman, Foothills Land Conservancy; and vice chair, Knoxville Museum of Art.

Ken Holroyd - Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Kenneth J. Holroyd currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he also works as an attending anesthesiologist. He works closely with faculty and the Office of Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development to move the best opportunities in research into active development through research agreements with industry, licensing, or the creation of new companies. Dr. Holroyd previously served as chief operating officer of Genaera Corporation, formerly known as Magainin Pharmaceuticals, in Plymouth Meeting, PA. There, he helped shepherd development of squalamine, a natural compound now in clinical trials for the treatment of macular degeneration, as well as other products for the treatment of asthma and cystic fibrosis. After leaving the company in 2004, he served briefly as director for Technology Transfer and Corporate Relations in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kevin Humphries - FedEx

Kevin Humphries is the Senior Vice President of Technology Systems for FedEx Corporate Services. In this role, Mr. Humphries is responsible for setting technology direction, as well as providing data center, network and field infrastructure support. Mr. Humphries is also responsible for the technology systems used to capture information important to package movement, including scanning systems, label strategies and bar code formats. Other key areas of responsibility include Information Security, Business Alignment and Customer Technology Services. Previously, Mr. Humphries served as senior vice president of the Information Technology Division and chief information officer for FedEx Express. Prior to joining FedEx, he worked for Andersen Consulting.

Matt Kisber - Department of Economic & Community Development

Commissioner Matthew H. Kisber serves as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Appointed on January 18, 2003, Commissioner Kisber was charged by Governor Phil Bredesen with the goal of developing the infrastructure and resources of Tennessee communities and harnessing a business-friendly atmosphere, while attracting new industries and assisting existing industries to expand. Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Kisber served 10 consecutive terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he was chairman of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, and as vice president of business development for First Tennessee Bank, where he recruited and expanded new and existing business relationships. Commissioner Kisber began his career as a successful small businessman in Jackson, TN. He also spent time as a photojournalist at the Jackson Sun, covering politics and other interests.

Mark Maddox - Tennessee House of Representatives

Rep. Mark Maddox represents the 76th legislative district in the Tennessee General Assembly. He is the chair of the House Family Justice Subcommittee and served as the democratic whip in the 105th and 106th General Assemblies. He also served as assistant majority leader in the 103rd and 104th General Assemblies. Rep. Maddox is a member of Rotary International and the Tennessee Educators Association. He is also on the Board of Directors of Community Development Services and a member of the Carroll County and Weakley County Chambers of Commerce.

Dan Marcum - Marcum Capital

Dan Marcum is the Managing Partner of Marcum Capital, a private merchant banking firm specializing in raising venture capital for technology companies and real estate ventures. Prior to establishing Marcum Capital, Dan, and his wife Fran, headed Micro Craft, Inc., a Tennessee-based aerospace firm. Mr. Marcum joined Micro Craft in 1972 and helped transform it from a regional machine shop with about 20 employees to an industry leader in aerodynamic, propulsion and space flight research, development, testing and evaluation, with annual revenue of around $70 million. Micro Craft designed and built the nationally acclaimed X-43 supersonic aircraft. The Marcums sold Micro Craft in 1999. Mr. Marcum has served on the National Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, an organization formed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology within the U.S. Department of Commerce to advance small and medium-sized manufacturers. He also served as chairman of the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services Advisory Council; past chairman of the University of Tennessee Development Council; and past chairman of the University of Tennessee Space Institute Support Council.

Ted Nelson - ThermaMasters, Inc.

Ted Nelson is currently the Chairman of Thermamasters, Inc. He is also the chief manager of Mar-Lin Medical, LLC, and participates in other local companies. From 1994-1997, he served as President of MK Rail Corporation. Prior MK Rail, he worked at Touchstone where he progressed from assistant sales manager to executive vice president in 1981. In December 1982, Mr. Nelson acquired controlling interest of Touchstone, becoming president and CEO. Mr. Nelson is active in industry, professional, community and civic affairs. He is involved with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation; Greenbrier Railroad and Supply Group Conference as Program Chairman; is a member of World Presidents Organization and Chief Executive Organization; and has served on the boards of the Railroad Supply Association, Jackson Utility Division, Jackson Arts Council, the Star Center, Red Cross, YMCA, American Heart Association and others.

Mike Niederhauser - MN Rentals

Mike Niederhauser is the owner of MN Mike Niederhauser's China and Gifts, MN Rentals, C&N Rentals and a founding member on the board of directors at First Vision Bank. Mr. Niederhauser has been actively involved throughout Tennessee. He has been elected president of both the Tullahoma and McMinnville Chambers of Commerce; he is a member of the Highland Rim Kiwanis Club; and has been a member of the Arnold Community Council for many years. He has also been involved with the Tennessee Jaycees, being chosen to serve as a state officer and honored with the Henry Boyd Award as McMinnville Jaycee of the Year. He is also on the board of directors of the Coffee County Leadership and the Hands-On Science Center in Tullahoma.

Jim Phillips - Pinnacle Enterprises

James M. (Jim) Phillips is currently the CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises. Prior to that, he as served as chairman and CEO of Luminetx Corporation in Memphis, TN, where he is credited with inventing a Time magazine Medical Invention of the Year — the VeinViewer. He also was the founding chairman and CEO of the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis. He founded and led iPix Corporation, at the time, the world's largest provider of digital imaging infrastructure for the internet and referred to as the "Kodak of the Internet" by Forbes magazine. Mr. Phillips has founded and co-founded many other successful corporations throughout his career: he was formerly vice president of Nortel Networks; president & co-founder of SkyTel, the nation’s largest messaging company; president & vice chairman of Telular Corp.; corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola, PCS and multimedia divisions, where his team invented the cable modem, and Mr. Phillips received the Motorola Patent Disclosure Award. Among his many honors and awards, Mr. Phillips was named Tennessee Businessman of the Year in 1999 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In 2006, he was inducted into the Memphis Entrepreneurial Society.

Andrew Seamons - Pittco Management

Andrew Seamons is currently a Managing Partner at Pittco Capital Partners, a closely held private equity investment firm providing equity and mezzanine capital to entrepreneurial organizations throughout the United States, with an emphasis on the Southeast. Prior to forming Pittco Capital Partners, Mr. Seamons was a partner with Paradigm Capital Partners, a Southeastern-focused private equity firm. Previously, he was a member of the senior management team at LendingTree, the leading success story in online financial services. He also spent time as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. Mr. Seamons currently serves on the board of directors of a number of growth companies and on the advisory boards of private equity funds. He is a board member of EmergeMemphis, a non-profit business incubator.

Paula Short - Tennessee Board of Regents

Dr. Paula Myrick Short is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents, where she is responsible for approval of new academic programs, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, student learning, program coordination, transfer and articulation. Dr. Short provides leadership and support for Student Affairs, Information Technology, Institutional Research, the Regents Online Degree Program and other system activities. Dr. Short previously served as associate vice president for academic affairs for the University of Missouri System. She has held tenure at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University and Tennessee State University. In 1993, she received the Jack A. Culbertson Award, given nationally by the University Council for Educational Administration. Dr. Short has been president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, the Southern Regional Council on Education Administration and the University Council for Educational Administration.

Paul Stanton - East Tennessee State University

Dr. Paul E. Stanton, Jr. has served as the eighth President of East Tennessee State University since 1997. He joined ETSU in 1985 as the Chief of the Division of Peripheral Vascular Surgery at ETSU College of Medicine and was appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery in 1986. In 1988 he became the Interim Dean of the College of Medicine and the Vice President for the Division of Health Sciences at ETSU, and was appointed to the permanent position of Dean of Medicine/Vice President for Health Affairs in 1989. Before working at ETSU, Dr. Stanton practiced and taught general and vascular surgery at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta.

Ron Washington - Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation

Ron Washington serves as District Manager for Rutherford and Cannon counties at the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. He has also served on the Murfreesboro City Council since 1998. He is involved as council representative to the Murfreesboro Board of Education and the St. Clair Senior Center Advisory Board, and has served on the Murfreesboro Airport Commission, Old Fort Golf Commission and the Linebaugh Library Board. Mr. Washington is a member of the Children's Discovery House Board, the Middle Tennessee State University Foundation Executive Committee, Allen Chapel AME Church, Rutherford County Cultural Arts Committee, National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure and Services Committee, and the Tennessee Municipal League Board of Directors.

Leslie Wisner-Lynch - BioTN Foundation

Dr. Leslie Wisner-Lynch currently serves as TTDC's interim President & CEO as well as Executive Director for the BioTN Foundation, a recently formed not-for-profit designed to advance science and technology in Tennessee through the collaborative development and implementation of innovative programs to increase understanding, interest and pursuit of science, technology, engineering and math related professions. She previously served as the director of applied research for BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. in Franklin, TN, where she provided clinical and scientific expertise for products under development and in commercialization for use in craniomaxillofacial/skeletal regeneration. Prior to joining BioMimetic, Dr. Wisner-Lynch worked concurrently as a periodontist for Dental Group Practice in Port Jefferson, NY, and as a consultant for Osteohealth Company, a pharmaceutical company, in Shirley, NY. She currently serves as chair of the subcommittee on biotechnology for Middle Tennessee Mind2Marketplace.

Stewart Witzeman - Eastman Chemical

Dr. J. Stewart Witzeman currently serves as Director, Eastman Research Division, for Eastman Chemical Company. He joined Eastman Chemical Company in 1985. Dr. Witzeman is a member of the American Chemical Society and Sigma Xi and is a previous chairman of the Northeast Tennessee Section of the American Chemical Society. He currently serves as vice-chair for the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), where he chairs the membership committee and also serves on the program committee. He is also active in the IRI’s External Technology Directors Network and has previously served as co-chair on IRI Research-on-Research study groups related to open innovation and intellectual property management. He is inventor on 18 patents, author of 11 publications, three book chapters and has presented over 11 lectures at various universities, industrial sites and technical conferences.

230 4th Avenue North
Suite 601
Nashville, Tennessee 37219
office 615-673-4419
fax 615-249-9949