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Travis Electrical Service is humbled to be part of the Clarksville & Fort Campbell communities. We are deeply grateful for our service members and their families. To show our gratitude for the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are proud to unveil our Folds of Honor truck. A portion of the proceeds generated by this truck’s service will be donated to Folds of Honor, an organization that funds scholarships for the children of service members who have lost their lives. We support the mission of Folds of Honor, which is “Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy.” Folds of Honor has a significant presence here in Clarksville, and most of the funds donated from Clarksville stay right here in our community, building up our youth, healing families in our community.
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FROM THE EDITOR
As we ready this issue for print, I can’t help but think of the anxiety Zavion Williams of Fat Shack Clarksville in our office for their portrait I feel for the coming months. Actually, I think this feeling might be shoot. When Guy pulled into the parking lot, his watch snapped off better described impatience, especially everyme time I remember wrist,this andissue it seemed to full be of irreparable. I mean, the irony alone According to theas wall of humidity that greets every time I stephis With being so divine feminine energy, working on this what all we’ve I havefinally to look forward to. Myfolks. partner and are of it snapping theseveral parking lot felt it might have a the bad many outside, made it to summer, I do Amelia truly love thisI season book for the in past weeks haslike pushed me to thinkbeen about traveling to Ireland soon forthe a wedding the coastal town Sligo. — however, we were determined to make it work. Between — the fullness of the trees, backyardinget-togethers, andofthe returnomen women who’ve influenced my life positively. I could name so many of of Clarksville’s outdoor Jazz onso thethis Lawn Downtown them in building up my self-esteem or to encouraging Most of my heritage is events rooted like in Ireland, tripand almost seems @shots, wewere used invaluable a haphazardly cut and straightened paperclip hold Sundown. However, of I like about two having weeks never of summer, then aspirations, motherallis the the while. first who comesI hope to mind. like a homecoming sorts despite been and there. MyI’mthemy watch in place,but andmy laughing Anyhow, you She’s ready for fall. And onMulshine top of that, I’m about as Irish come. I wasfindthe embodiment of as fortitude — sheand wasfascinating dealt the worst a military former editor, Molly — who mentored meas sothey much during this these profiles informative as we that do, and built for brisk, overcast weather and eating potatoes. I am not meant spouse could imagine when my father was killed overseas, and with the our time working together at a fashion magazine in New York City if anything — you’re inspired to give thought and thanks to who has to tolerate this oppressive heat, and the hoodies that have now made utmost grace, she took that situation and made the absolute best of — is getting married to her partner of many years, and I just adore influenced you along the way to wherever you are. their way to the back of my closet miss me (and I miss them, too). But it for me and my two sisters. She also continues to teach me so many them both and I’m so excited for their future together. honestly, all of my complaints about summer are immediately rectified when I have a cold beer in hand.
While we are in Ireland, Amelia and I decided to make a trip of it. We’re flying to Dublin days before andissue will is Anyways, asinyou might several have noticed from the thewedding, cover, this spend some time exploring the area before hopping on the train centered around the 70th anniversary of Appleton Harley-Davidson. But to This istheme where for mythis impatience lies: I cannot wait to theSligo. underlying issue is celebrating women in traipse business. through eat good just luxuriate in Fortitudethe andstreets, resilience — really these are twofood, wordsand that come to mind when the experience it all. The day we after thethe wedding, made I think of all theofbrilliant women had honor ofwe’ve talking to this arrangements go women horseback ridingthose through themore countryside month, and nototwo embody words than Tiaand Suiter and Maryjust Rose of Appleton Harley-Davidson, whoabout. grace She’s our cover beaches north of Sligo. Now this, I’m anxious muchthis monthexperienced along with several of in their members that played more than I am thefamily saddle and grew up have riding. I can an integral role in keeping the dealership revving and running for the last already see her taking off in a full gallop, and I’ll likely be lagging 70 years. The stories that comprise the decades-long history of their behind in an unsteady trot. I will say though, I did go to horse camp dealership embody the resiliency underpinning the theme of this issue. one summer when I was 12. I’ll figure out how to keep up… I think.
lessons about self-sufficiency, and how to care for yourself while also caring for others. In summary, we really hope this issue is received with the same amount of love we put into it. And, maybe even more so, we hope it encourages you to take stock of the influential women in your life and fills you with gratitude for their impact.
In addition to the women of Appleton Harley-Davidson, this issue also
To start off my letter this for way the Men of Influence issue may features Q&As with other really amazing women in Clarksville who seem out of place, however, in contemplating the ways that Molly own their businesses. All of them, in their own ways, have made such mentored and on taught me so much—ofbe what I know about writingin a a positive me impact the community it helping their clients creatively and how to edit, I can’t help but relate her to many of theLLC time of need, such as Roberta Morton of Mane Control Hair Care, men we’ve Miller featured in this edition. onlytheir wereclients we able or Jasmine of The Wax House,And whonot ensure looktoand spotlight ownbest. feats,Some but also we asked them the figuresthat feel their their absolute women we spoke to about own businesses in theirthe lifeworld who’ve along theWard, way because theoftruth is make gohelped round them — like Alana the owner Baggett that we’re& built by and on the shoulders of our influences. Heating Cooling, whose business is there when your HVAC decides a heat wave is the perfect time to start malfunctioning, or Dr. Barbara
Aquino, pediatric practice ensures over town receive The timewhose we spent talking to all of these kids men all was a privilege. Onethe very best care. And of course, it was imperative for us to celebrate those moment that I’d like to share is when we had Guy Stanford, Jr. and women in the process of making their unique visions a reality, like Linda Blackmoor of Caledonia Forest and Cat Maynard of Shelby’s Trio.
Keely Quinlan
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MEN OF INFLUENCE • 11
EVENTS 14 VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE’S 2022 BLACK TIE BALL 21 FORT CAMPBELL SPOUSES’ CLUB AWARD BANQUET
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24 JEFF BURKHART CAMPAIGN EVENT 29 JACKIE O. KELLEY LIVE IN CONCERT 33 EMPOWERING ENTRPRENUERS WITH JAY
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DEMARCUS 36 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT OFFICENOW
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39 BELL DONATION UNVEILING AT NORTH CENTRAL INSTITUTE 45 2ND ANNUAL CINDY SLATER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
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50 DWAYNE BYARD MEMORIAL BBQ COOK-OFF 54 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION REVIEW
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68 KIWANIS RODEO 70 DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN 73 20TH ANNUAL SPECIAL FORCES BROTHERHOOD MEMORIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDE 75 MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION 77 BOOTS ON THE GROUND OPENING CEREMONY 78 KIMBERLY TURNER CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF EVENT
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81 UNITED WAY 2022 ANNUAL MEETING & CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION
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FEATURES 26 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS: PURE SWEAT + FLOAT STUDIO 42 GIVE | CARE | SHARE: YOUNG KINGS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 48 SALUTE TO SERVICE: APSU OFFERING IN-STATE TUITION TO ALL MILITARY-AFFILIATED STUDENTS AND FAMILY 57 MEN OF INFLUENCE: LEO MILLAN COLONEL ANDREW JORDAN MEN OF THE ROXY JOEY SMITH SEAN IMPEARTRICE CHRIS SMITH JOSHUA PELTZ GUY STANFORD JR. & ZAVION WILLIAMS
ON THE COVER BRITTANY AND CHAD HINSLEY AT VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE’S BLACK TIE BALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA PELTZ PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
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VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE’S
black tie ball
Photography By Joshua Peltz & Jeff Denault This year, VIP Clarksville Magazine’s 2nd Annual Black Tie Ball was hosted at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel in Oak Grove Kentucky. The glitz and glam formal was a celebration of the winners from this year’s Best of the Best Awards, our reader’s choice awards for local businesses that exemplify the very best ClarksvilleMontgomery County has to offer. Our presenting sponsor was Jodi’s Cabinet Sales, and our two platinum sponsors were Keystone Realty and Management and Caledonia Forest. The festive evening was filled with thrills: from the music provided by our favorite high-spirited band, Bobby & The Aristocats, to the live and silent auctions on items donated from business leaders in the community. But most of all, we just loved honoring all of our winners with a night of fun, dance, and we can’t wait until next year!
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JOIN US IN SAVING OUR TENNESSEE FORESTS Join Caledonia Forest and their mission to save our forests and wildlife from becoming completely decimated by the nation-wide surge of deforestation from housing developments. We are opening forest nature parks in every single state across the U.S. and our Clarksville, TN park will be the first park to open in 2023 to represent the state of Tennessee. Visit the link below to learn more about our mission, the exclusive perks our Forest Ambassadors will receive, and how you can help save thousands of acres of forests and wildlife in our state and across the U.S. Our forest parks will only be accessible to our ambassadors and their families.
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CELEBRATING APPLETON HARLEY-DAVIDSON’SMEN 70TH OFANNIVERSARY INFLUENCE ••19 5
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Thomas Wood & Jessica Maher
Emily Rourke & Ryan Bowie
Monjoe & Renaysha Respicio
Jody Kuhnle & Jessica Maher
Katrina Guerrero & Casey Fallin
Landon & Crissie Carpenter
Lindsey White
Patricia Galarza-Grillasca & Lucy Grillasca
Stefanie & Kathrine Wheatley
F O RT C A M P B E L L S P O U S E S ’ C LU B
Award Banquet Story & Photography by Tony Centonze The Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club (FCSC) Scholarship Committee facilitates and awards merit-based scholarships for eligible applicants of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and its surrounding military communities. Funds raised throughout the year were recently distributed to this year’s scholarship recipients. “Today we held our annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet here at F&M Bank’s Franklin Room in downtown Clarksville,” Jody Kuhnle said. “Every year, after our Very Important Charity Event (V.I.C.E.) Night, we take the funds that are raised, and we award scholarships and grants to eligible high school seniors and eligible spouses enrolled in continuing education. This year, we were able to award $66,000.”
Cassidy Curry & Jessica Maher
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Thomas & Claire Wood
Mateo, Pilar & Rafael Cerritos
Vicki York & Sandra Simms
Casey Fallin & Jessica Maher
Jocelyn, Jacqueline & Janai Porchia
Joanna Katz, Grace & Christina Thomas
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Anna & Monica Worstell 22 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
Todd McKenzie & Jessica Maher
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CELEBRATING APPLETON HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY • 53 MEN OF INFLUENCE • 23
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Jeff Burkhart & Cindy Greene Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Residents in the Woodlawn community were invited to the Dotsonville Community Center for Jeff Burkhart’s campaign kick-off and BBQ. Burkhart is running for State Representative in Tennessee’s 75th District. He is a lifelong resident of Clarksville who has served as a firefighter, city council member, and board member of several community organizations. As supporters enjoyed BBQ provided by Wayne and Kevin Abrams, Burkhart talked with them about his platform, which includes - Support smart growth and infrastructure planning, advocate for more efficient government, and work to improve public safety. John Dawson & Jorge Padro
Joni Hargroves & Josh Wikholm 24 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
Joni Hargroves & Carol Hamby
Cindy Greene & Rick Williams
Anthony Hillyer
Krista Kiepke & Caleb Anderson
Jeff Burkhart & Mike Oliver
Krista Kiepke & Cindy Greene
Kyong & John Dawson
Lauren, Jaxson, & Kody Hathcock
Josh Wikholm & A.C. Big Sarge Lopez
Ken Moore & Mike Oliver
Ronnie Kinkennon & Rylee Edlin
Sherri Speers & Terri Everett
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in the Dead Sea, floating in thousands of pounds of magnesium salts. You know how you put a cup of Epsom salt in your bath? Well, multiply that by 1,000. Our standard float cabins are 1,200 pounds, and the deluxe is 1,500 pounds of magnesium salt,” Judd continued. The physical benefits of floating come from the magnesium concentration: the water’s magnesium inhibits ACTH, a hormone that drives your adrenal glands to release the stress hormone cortisol. Magnesium also improves sleep quality, which contributes to feeling less stressed. In a study published by the Journal of Applied Physiology, people who floated eight times over a
Laurel Judd has spent much of the last two decades working as a therapist, and for the last nine of those years, she’s worked at Fort Campbell treating the service members that have given so much in the name of our country. But she’s since taken a new direction in life: last November, she opened Pure Sweat + Float Studio in Clarksville, a wellness destination for state-of-the-art, full-spectrum infrared saunas and floatation therapy. Her reasons for shifting away from traditional therapyw and towards sauna and floatation therapy come from both the desire to continue serving the military and the impact it’s had on her own life. “My husband is a Green Beret and I come from a military family, so I have been living the military lifestyle pretty much my whole life. I have always told my clients to go float, and another reason I opened it was because I healed from the infrared saunas at Pure Sweat + Float Studio,” Judd told VIP. Several years ago, she began having mysterious symptoms that weren’t traceable back to any specific illness. After many visits with doctors, she realized what it was: Breast Implant Illness. She was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s that attacks the thyroid system. “I finally realized what it was, as most doctors didn’t even know,” Judd said. She had her implants removed in November of 2019, and then was advised to go to an infrared sauna. “There were none in Clarksville at the time, so I started going to Pure Sweat + Float Studio in Belle Meade. I literally — by the fourth session — felt my joints unhinge. Up until that point, they had been so tight I couldn’t even twist my neck to the right,” Judd said. She stopped needing the medication she was on, and said she’s now in full remission. The infrared saunas utilize three different wavelengths that benefit the body by reducing inflammation, speeding up the healing process for external bruising and wounding, promoting better sleep to lessen periods of insomnia, and detoxing the body of metals, mold, and chemicals like those that come from implants. “I have to continually use the saunas at least three times a week, but I’ll take that over taking medication, and it’s my happy place.” But the saunas and floatation therapy options don’t just assist those dealing with auto immune disorders or Breast Implant Illness. Including Judd’s new location, there are five Pure Sweat + Float Studios in Middle Tennessee, and she has been incredibly passionate about bringing this type of therapy directly to Clarksville and the military community. “It really helps, especially for people who don’t want to see a therapist and they’re like, ‘I need to quiet my mind but I don’t want to talk to someone,’” Judd said. “The benefits of floating, specifically for the military, are numerous. They were originally created by veterans for PTSD treatment, but they are good for anyone.” Floating benefits the mind, body, and spirit, Judd said. “You’re essentially 26 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
two-week period saw their cortisol levels decrease by 21.6 percent. That amount of salt also allows for a weightless floating experience. “It’s the only time you don’t have pressure on your joints. Even when you sleep, there’s pressure on your joints. You are getting a dose of magnesium, which most Americans are deficient in, and it’s a forced meditation. It’s probably the only time you don’t have your phone on you,” she added. Judd also made sure to curate a completely relaxing, spa-like environment with candlelight ambience, meditative music, and calming colors. Above all else, Judd said she hopes that by offering this alternative therapy locally, that more will opt for these therapies over medications that can sometimes do more harm than good. “It’s about teaching the Clarksville community how to not only detox and do healthy things without the use of medication, but learning to just detach from outside stimulus. I wanted to provide a place that’s not only the most beautiful place in Clarksville, but that’s community-based and all about the experience,” Judd said. “My whole goal is to heal the community, and with Pure Sweat + Float, I can do that on a larger scale instead of just with one person in my office as their therapist.” Pure Sweat + Float is located at 2670 Madison Street in the Village Plaza in Sango. Visit their website at https://www.puresweatfloatstudio.com/ clarksville for information on hours and sauna and floatation packages.
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MEN OF INFLUENCE • 27
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Contessa Jackson & Lisa Brooks
Danielle Spencer
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Better Choice of Living, Inc. recently presented inspirational gospel recording artist JackieO. Kelley live in concert. Kelley is an award-winning singer, artist, and author. The event, which was held at Quality Inn on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, featured a performance by Kelley and the BCOL Band – Detroit Chapter. Dozens came out for the intimate show, and also a chance to meet with a variety of local vendors who were showcasing their products and services.
Doris Witherspoon
Elaine McRae & Robert Joiner
Douglas Miles, Shane Crawford & Winston Mathurin
Jill & Paul Allen
Merriel Bullock-Neal MEN OF INFLUENCE • 29
Nettie Thomas & Magaline Ferguson
Dermesha Graves & Ebonee Lumpkin
Winston & Eveliyn Mathurin
Rodriquez & Shelenda Lee
Deborah Washington & Rosa Mathers
Kelisa Otunuya, Grace Gooch & Mayah Otunuya
Jackie O. & Keith Kelley
Chaplain Eddie & Eunice Sumbler
Briaunna Turner, Shaunia Miller & Shae Miller
Heather & Scott Jackson
Rosalin Terry 30 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
Sandra Grimble & Linda Love
Scott & Tammy Hollinsworth
Sophia Quarles & Danielle Spencer
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Empowering Entreprenuers with Jay Demarcus Jay DeMarcus & Tom Yankton
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a special event at Old Glory Distilling Co., the first in its series called Empowering Entrepreneurs. The special guest was Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. The night included food catered by The Choppin’ Block, a musical performance by DeMarcus accompanied by the talented Tom Yankton, and then words of wisdom from DeMarcus on effective leadership, and entrepreneurship. Guests also enjoyed a VIP meet and greet with DeMarcus prior to the show.
Sara Golden, Jay DeMarcus & Wes Golden
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Kathrine Bailey & James Shaffer MEN OF INFLUENCE • 33
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AT of f i ceN OW Audrey & Melissa Freidline
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Story & Photography by Tony Centonze OfficeNOW recently hosted the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours for May, with more than 100 guests coming out for an afternoon of networking at one of the city’s most unique spaces. OfficeNOW owner April Consulo welcomed everyone to the event, and invited them to tour the facility which hosts entrepreneurs and small businesses in Clarksville’s “first ever co-workspace solution, complete with concierge services.” Ilona Rivera of Caprigio’s Pizza catered the affair, serving an assortment of her Italian specialties. Audrey Freidline performed, and guests enjoyed games and a chance to win prizes.
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John Gannon & Tyler Guy
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Alec Bissell & John Crespo
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Alexis Goines & Rose Melton
Rose Melton & Lee Erwin
Kevin Chubet & Ashley Kotran
Lacey Long & Mia Lindsey
Melinda Shepard & Terri Brisendine
Michael & Michelina Sparks
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Rebecca Williams, Merriel Bullock-Neal & Janet Bloodworth
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Tamela Taliento, Doug Englen & David Galik
Bell Donation Unveiling AT N O R T H C E N T R A L I N S T I T U E
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze North Central Institute recently announced the donation, by Bell Helicopter, of a Bell 407 Fire K helicopter that will be used in the school’s aviation maintenance training program. Tamela Taliento, president of NCI, addressed the crowd and spoke about the history of the institute. She also expressed her gratitude to Bell for the generous gift. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Doug Englen and Bell’s David Galik also took time at the podium to talk about NCI’s program, and the school’s reputation for consistently producing high-quality aviation maintenance technicians to staff the industry.
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John Clement & Sherry Pickering MEN OF INFLUENCE • 39
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Buck Dellinger, Mark Holleman & Mayor Joe Pitts
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Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts
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Young Kings Mentorship Program For local kids who aren’t involved in athletics or academics through their schools, there seems to be a gap in Clarksville-Montgomery County’s offerings for programs aimed at helping youth develop the life skills that can’t be taught in a classroom. Well, for young boys in particular, Ebony Parsons has come up with a solution: the Young Kings Mentorship Program. The program is free to attend, and designed for school-age boys to provide both fellowship between members and mentorship from adults in the community who visit and talk with the boys regarding those life skills. For Parsons, who is a full-time entrepreneur and mother of three, the organization filled a gap that she was experiencing within her own family. “My sister Victoria Parsons and I started the organization because we’re single moms raising boys. Honestly, we didn’t have fathers in the picture, so we wanted to have an organization that would bring them together with men that they could talk to, and to also form a brotherhood between boys who are similar,” Parsons said. One mentor, Allen Bragg, got involved about two years ago after seeing an event that the mentorship program shared online. “I went to that event and saw the impact and potential that it could have, and so I immediately told Ms. Ebony that I wanted to be a part of it,” Bragg said. “We’re like brothers and sisters, and we’ve connected. My son is in the program as well, even though my wife and I are heavily involved, and it’s important to have him involved as well. My son may learn something from somebody else that he may not receive from me because that’s just how teenagers are.” Parsons said getting mentors involved on a full-time basis really changed their method of getting young men engaged. “We started meeting mentors like Mr. Allen, and they changed our whole thought process. They thought it should be for more than just boys with single parents, and the mentors 42 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
started bringing their boys too,” Parsons continued. From there, the program expanded to include any and all school-age boys who might benefit. There are currently three full-time mentors that are part of the program, and they meet monthly with the boys. The topic of the month’s meeting normally covers a subject that the mentors think would benefit the group. Participants are also able to share what topics they want to learn about, and that’s incorporated into the program’s future meetings. “It’s not every month that we meet and there’s a subject that we discuss. Sometimes we paint, and sometimes we cook,” Parsons added. This allows the boys to explore their interests, find new ones, and helps them become more well-rounded. They’ve had a mechanic come and show the boys how to change the oil in a vehicle; a fashion designer come to talk about style and coordinating outfits; a financial adviser to discuss checking and savings accounts; and even a personal trainer to teach them about fitness. “We want someone eventually to come in and talk about music. There’s so many life-learning subjects where they can have fun, but still learn at the same time. There’s no limit on what we can do, and we welcome any kind of feedback on what subject to do next,” Parsons said. Program participants also volunteer at a local nursing home, and it’s a requirement that they volunteer in the community throughout the year. Sometimes, the boys will bake cookies and take them to the nursing home. Last year, they made Christmas cards, and gathered gifts in collaboration with a local daycare. The mentorship also has a summer camp coming up, and Parsons said the program is going to work with the Humane Society of Montgomery County to build a doghouse. “Through the volunteering, we’re also teaching the boys how to give back. Your efforts are never too small, you’re never too old, and you can never say you don’t have enough money because you can give in service as well,” Parsons said.
We work from the
In May, the program held its first annual scholarship and award ceremony. Thanks to the generosity of one mentee’s parent who donated the funds to cover the trophies, Parsons and the mentors were able to celebrate the boys’ achievements over the year. “Seeing their gratitude coming up to receive those awards — we gave them medallions to put over their heads — and they got certificates.” The boys received awards like Best Artist, Most Creative, and Best Personality. Some awards were based on the amount of volunteer work the boys did over the year. They also took the Oath of the Young Kings in front of their families, and some received college scholarships.
INSIDE OUT
But in order for the mentorship program to continue, Parsons and Bragg said they need sponsors and mentors from the community. “We are looking for mentors. We want people to join us — dedicated people that are willing to help us,” Parsons said. “And along with trying to run a program, we need financial support. We’re looking for sponsorships and funds,” Bragg added. Every time the program meets, there is a meal served and currently the program has about 20 members that show up to every meeting. Parsons, Bragg, and the other organizers currently cover those expenses out of pocket.
OUTSIDE IN
All school-age boys are welcome to attend the free mentorship program, which is hosted from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at Emmanuel Family Life Center at 303 Fairview Lane in Clarksville. Those interested may sign up for orientation, but Parsons encourages anyone that’s interested to just stop by and check out the program first.
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Brianna Tucker & Jerred Slater
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Story & Photography by Tony Centonze The Slater family and Elevation Chiropractic recently hosted the 2nd Annual Cindy Slater Memorial Golf Tournament at Swan Lake Golf Course. Jake Slater said, “We’re just out here to have fun. We’re out here to celebrate my mom, we lost her two years ago today. So, instead of getting sad and moping about it, we choose to celebrate her life.”
Brigg Deering & Jonathan Willis
Cortnee Barlow & Mackenzie Perkins
The tournament was maxed out with 32 3-man teams, playing in a scramble format. Proceeds from the event will benefit Clarksville High School’s baseball team. “She spent the majority of her time at, or on the way to, a baseball game,” Slater said. “We know she would love nothing more than for us to support the team now.”
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Evyn Langford & Cortnee Barlow MEN OF INFLUENCE • 45
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SALUTE TO SERVICE Austin Peay Becomes First Tennessee University To Offer In-State Tuition To All Military-Affiliated Students – Including Family Members Contributed by Austin Oeay State University Austin Peay State University is now the only Tennessee university to offer in-state tuition rates to all of the nation’s military-affiliated students, which includes active-duty military personnel, veterans, reservists, National Guard members and their eligible family members. Earlier today, the university announced the creation of special financial awards to ensure these students receive this tuition rate, which is one of the lowest in the state.
“Austin Peay has a reputation across this country as being the gold standard for providing higher education to our military community and their families,” retired Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, APSU military advisor-inresidence, said. “With this new initiative, we continue to remove some of the barriers and stresses these students sometimes face when enrolling in college. They’ve done so much for us, as a nation, so now it’s our turn to take care of them.”
“At Austin Peay, we take our commitment to our military-affiliated students very seriously, and because of the sacrifices these individuals have made for our nation, we continue to push ourselves to find more ways to serve them,” APSU President Mike Licari said. “These students make up a distinct part of our culture here, and we want more of them to join the Austin Peay family so they can succeed in all their endeavors.”
Austin Peay is the state’s largest provider of higher education to militaryaffiliated students, with about 25 percent of the university’s students having a military connection. Last year, APSU opened the 5,200-squarefoot Newton Military Family Resource Center – the largest, by far, military student center in Tennessee – and in November, the University will induct the inaugural members of its new APSU Military Hall of Fame.
This summer’s announcement means that military-affiliated individuals assigned to installations such as Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; or Fort Knox, Kentucky, can now pay the same tuition rate as Tennesseans wanting to enroll at Austin Peay. In another extraordinary move, the university is reducing the cost of its military student, graduatelevel tuition to the Federal Tuition Assistance rate of $250 a credit hour, which will save uniformed military graduate students over $600 in outof-pocket expenses per course.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission previously honored the University’s support of this population by naming Austin Peay a Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Campus, and Austin Peay is now home to the state’s first Institute for National Security and Military Studies. That institute will oversee educational programs (both credit and noncredit), military outreach activities and interdisciplinary research on national security, intelligence and military life.
Austin Peay is also waiving its undergraduate and graduate admissions application fee for military-affiliated students.
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For more information on APSU’s new in-state tuition initiative for militaryaffiliated students, visit www.apsu.edu/military.
apsu.edu/visit Austin Peay State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU. Policy 6:001
MEN OF INFLUENCE • 49
Debbie Byard and Grand Champion Perry Pratt of Big Orange Smokers
Cheryl Hite & Trisha Gossett
Cody & Kimberly Jackson Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Hilltop Market recently hosted the annual Dwayne Byard Memorial BBQ Cook-Off, a two-day event that has been held in Byard’s honor since his passing in 2015. Competitors prepared their best chicken, ribs, pork, beef brisket and dessert recipes, beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. Winners and cash prizes were announced on Saturday. BBQ lovers enjoyed great food, live music, and more. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges, with trophies and cash prizes going to the top three teams in each category. This year’s Grand Champion is Perry Pratt of Big Orange Smokers.
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FEATURED LOCAL EVENTS IN CLARKSVILLE
JULY 30, 2022
GOVS FEST 4 - 7 p.m. @ Fortera Stadium It’s time to get the party started for the 2022 Austin Peay football season! Join the Govs football team on the Maynard Family Field at Fortera Stadium at 4 p.m., July 30 for an evening of fun and prizes! For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
JULY 30, 2022
FARM TO TABLE DINNER 6 - 9 p.m. @ Public Square For one night only the Clarksville Downtown Market brings local food directly to your table. Guests can enjoy a chefprepared farm-to-table dinner catered by Nicoletta’s. This meal showcases the best of what the Market vendors have to offer each Saturday during the Market season. Many of the vegetables, herbs, meats, fruits, and desserts served are grown, produced, and made right here in the surrounding Clarksville For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
AUGUST 2, 2022
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 5 - 8 p.m. @ Austin Peay State University National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Different law enforcement and first responder agencies will be participating and have equipment on display including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Life Flight. For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
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AUGUST 25, 2022
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 30TH ANNIVERSARY 6-8pm @ The Madison Room Join us to celebrate 30 years of building together. Meet Habitat homeowners, share a meal, and enjoy a program highlighting our community and partnerships with hardworking, lowincome Clarksville families. Tickets are $50 per person and table sponsorships are still available! For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
AUGUST 27, 2022
WOMEN OF CLARKSVILLE EXPO 10-3pm @ Wilma Rudolph Event Center Join us in celebrating and supporting the women of our community at the second Women of Clarksville Expo! This event is open to the public and free of admission. There will be a wide range of vendors, from health and wellness, fashion, hobbies, and more! For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
AUGUST 28, 2022
BARKS & BREWS 11-7pm @ 260 B Needmore Road, Clarksville, 37040 Barks & Brews is a dog friendly event that raises funds to donate towards animal friendly charities such as The Caledonia Forest Conservation Program & The Montgomery County Angel Fund. A day filled with pet contests such as owner/dog lookalike, live muisc, pet friendly vendors, crafted brews from local breweries, and this year we are even featuring a live meet and greet with some of the forest animals of The Caledonia Forest! Photo examples of the previous event in 2019 with plans to be bigger and better than EVER before! For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
SEPTEMBER 9, 2022
RIVERFEST 5-10pm @ McGregor Park
Riverfest is all about bringing the Clarksville community together and building comradery between neighbors. We create an atmosphere that celebrates and showcases the cultural diversity of our city through music, local eats, drinks, shopping, and recreational activities for the entire family. For more information, please visit the event page on Facebook!
MEN OF INFLUENCE • 53
1st Lt. Sean Farrell & 1st Lt. Michael Pelletiere
Alethea West & Isiah Spencer
101st Airborne D I V IS I O N R E V I E W Story & Photography by Tony Centonze
Dulcie Scotto & Howard Yellen
More than 10,000 troops assembled on Fort Campbell’s Division Parade Field for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Week of the Eagles Division Review.
Grant & Tiffany Shrader
Maj. Gen. J.P. McGee, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, and CSM Veronica Knapp, Command Sergeant Major of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell oversaw the “ceremonious sights and sounds of the world’s only air assault division.” This year’s Week of the Eagles was a celebration of “the Division’s 80 glorious years.” The Commanders Cup was presented to 3rd Brigade’s Commander, Col. Mark Federovich and CSM Eddie Brewer. Winners of
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CELEBRATING APPLETON HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY • 7
MEN OF i n f L u e n c e By: Keely Quinlan Every year, VIP Clarksville Magazine rounds up several local gents for our Men’s Issue to honor their efforts and accomplishments. But this year, we’re going about it a bit differently. Influence is defined as “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something,” and that theme informed our curation of the men presented in this issue. Whether it be through innovation in public education, keeping you informed about the latest news, or commanding an entire military installation — each of these men have been leaders in their spheres, but more importantly, they have guided those lucky enough to learn from them on a journey to their own success. All of the men in this issue have made an indelible impact on Clarksville-Montgomery County through their work, community involvement, and leadership. By highlighting the influence these men have had on shaping the community and the incredible people who make it up, we have the joy of presenting a collection of brilliant minds sincerely dedicated to using their stature for good. We also just really adore these guys, and feel like everyone would benefit from knowing a little bit more about each.
MEN OF INFLUENCE • 57
LEO MILLAN
Leo Millan is a man of who wears many hats around town. He owns a master carpet cleaning franchise, is a partner at one of the largest SERVPROs in the country, and the head of Millan Enterprises, LLC — one of the largest real estate holding companies in town. But the reason why we chose him as one of VIP Clarksville Magazine’s Men of Influence is not for his role in any of these entities, but rather for his giving nature and usage of those roles to do really good things for the community and those in need. Millan’s real estate corporation has its beginnings in 1999, when he transferred out of the Air Force. His first business venture was Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning, which gave Millan an inroad to connecting with those in the community, and gave him an upstanding reputation as a businessman. After Heaven’s Best became sustainable and began franchising, Millan then made the jump into the used car business and partnered in Integrity Auto Sales. The profits he made from the used car business were then put towards the purchase of his first rental unit. In the following years, Millan and his wife Lillie would begin renovating dozens of houses in Clarksville. Along with their four children, they would move into the property they were renovating, sell or rent it, and then move on to the next property. Real estate has always been Millan’s primary passion, and from renovating houses, the pair would then start the commercial development leg of their corporation. The entity is now comprised of over 700 properties in Clarksville and the surrounding areas, and their real estate portfolio includes multi-family, mixed-use, retail/office condos, industrial, hotel/motel and vacant land. The REO division of Millan Enterprises manages a few properties on behalf of banks and financial servicing institutions. They have also expanded their portfolio to other states, including Florida, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and California.
However, regardless of how large his organization gets, his proudest achievement is his seeing his children grow up and chart their own paths in life. “It’s pretty cool to see them grown and motivated to do their own thing, and for them to be good human beings and not just driven by accomplishments, but to treat people well,” Millan said. His oldest daughter graduated from Austin Peay State University with a degree in accounting, and now works with him. “She wanted to work with us, but I always made our kids work somewhere else first. Now, she’s in our accounting department and questioning me on stuff,” he added with a laugh. Another one of his biggest accomplishments is creating jobs and providing livelihoods for others through careers. “Right now, we have I think about 1,000 people working for us full time, and to see them buy homes, grow their families — that stuff has been pretty overwhelming,” Millan said. Over the next year, he said wants to better equip his team with the resources to sustain their growth. He also wants to start projects that have an impact. “In the past, we were revenue driven because we had to survive, but now I think we can shift and do more impactful, community-minded projects,” Millan continued. In the next five years, he’d like to grow more leaders within his company. “Our motto is ‘Building great projects by building great people first,’ so we try to be intentional about not just letting that be a cliche, but actually living that out.” His goal is to always be a giver, and not a taker, and that comes from his first mentor, who taught him how to give people a chance. “The most influential in business was probably John Mayor. He mentored me since I was in my early 20s, and he just passed away this last year,” Millan said. “He inspired me to be more and to not settle, and to give up my time more than anything. He gave me so much of his time. Sometimes, people think that they need money or resources, when in reality they need coaching — like real coaching, and he did that for me.” Like we said earlier, his success in business is not the reason we chose Millan as one of our Men of Influence. Instead, it’s for his communityoriented mindset and drive to give back. “This community has helped us get to where we’re at, so it’s only fair that we give back and we prepare the next generation. I’ve been blessed to serve on several boards and able to give back to the community in that way.” And Millan has done that in a big way: in the last four to five years, Millan has provided warehouse space to YAIPak Outreach — a local nonprofit with the goal helping those in need get what they need. “They are so influential, and they do such great work that it would be hard to do that work. Instead of us taking the credit, it’s better to team up with somebody else that’s doing it better because at the end of the day, if you’re helping people, it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. If they’re going to do it better, why not just team up with them, let them do it,” Millan said. A few fun facts about Millan: he’s a Future Farmer’s of America champion hog showman. “I had to take that or science, so I elected to take farming, and then once I won, I left. They were all trying to have an intervention for me to come back, because apparently I was good at it,” Millan said. “I’m competitive, so if I was going to do it, I was going to win.” He’s also colorblind. “A lot of people don’t know that, and they compliment us on our buildings, but as you’ve probably seen, most of them are black and white.” He’s also a collector of old classic cars like Impalas and other old Chevrolets.
58 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
COLONEL ANDREW JORDAN
Colonel Andrew Jordan is current garrison commander at Fort Campbell, making him one of the most influential figures on the installation. As the commander of what many consider to be the beating heart of Clarksville, he’s responsible for all of Fort Campbell’s ongoings and serving not just his soldiers, but their families and all who use the installation’s facilities. He took up the position in June of 2021, and previously, he’s served with the Special Operations Command Central, or SOCCENT, as the chief of staff for the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Iraq. Because of his travels over the last several weeks, we had to do this feature via email as a Q&A, however we learned so much about Jordan and hope you do too. Tell us three fun facts about yourself that people might not know. “I earned my Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma — farming taught me a work ethic that has carried into adulthood. I was honored to serve as an Oklahoma State FFA Officer and later traveled the U.S. teaching high school leadership seminars as one of my first jobs. And I was honored to graduate as a Top Ten graduate from Oklahoma State University based on academics and campus and community involvement.”
What accomplishments are you most proud of? “I am most proud of my family and our relationship with our Lord. We have been members of First Baptist Clarksville since 2005 during our first assignment to Fort Campbell and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). My wife, Susan and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary later this year. Our two sons are successful in their own right. Our oldest, Austin played baseball at Carson-Newman University and will commission as an Army Officer in 2023. He recently completed Air Assault and Airborne training to begin his Army career. Our youngest, Andrew, recently graduated high school where he helped lead Rossview to district and region championships in baseball. He will further his academic and baseball career at Austin Peay State University when he becomes a Gov this fall.”
Oak Grove, Hopkinsville, Christian County, the State of Tennessee, and Commonwealth of Kentucky are the key enablers to making Fort Campbell successful. I have served in many locations, but there is something different about the Fort Campbell region and when you peel it back, it is truly our communities that make Fort Campbell home. Most senior leaders on Fort Campbell have fought to return over and over through the years and there is no secret to why this is the case. I recall in 2003, at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan coming to Fort Campbell on our first house hunting trip to prepare to move here from North Carolina. On that trip, Susan and I both knew that this would be our ‘adopted Army home.’ It seemed as every house, business, school, church, etc. had signs, banners and flags all exuding their love our soldiers and our nation. It was not uncommon to see ‘God Bless our Troops,’ ‘God Bless America,’ and other patriotic phrases all over town, but then when you engaged with the people, you knew they meant it and it was not simply something they had to say as a military town.” What do you most want to be known for - or recognized as - in the community? “I want to be known as a compassionate leader that focuses on our Army’s mission, our people and our families. Within the community, I strive to be the best example of Army leadership and tying the Army to the citizens and nation we support.” Is there a quote that you live by? “Isaiah Chapter 6 v8: ‘Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ And James Chapter 1 v2-4: ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.’”
What do you hope to accomplish in the next year? In the next five years? “I hope to lead the Fort Campbell team to continue to be the best Army installation to live, work, and raise an Army family. Fort Campbell is a critical power projection platform and vital to our nation’s security. However, it is the people and communities that make Fort Campbell successful in this mission. I hope to continue building upon the successes we have enjoyed in not only our Army mission, but also our mission to support soldiers, spouses, families, and veterans. The local communities in both Kentucky and Tennessee have shown outstanding support and I hope to continue to build upon this even after leaving command.” Tell us about one mentor or role model that’s helped you get to where you are, and why they had such an impact on you. “Brigadier General (Retired) Scott Brower has been a driving force throughout my Army career when we first served together as a captain and lieutenant colonel in 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). General Brower showed me as a young company commander what it meant to be an officer committed to never failing in our operational mission, but remaining focused on the soldiers and families that make the unit a success. He has been my commander many times over the years and he exudes People First.” What do you love most about Clarksville and the people who call the city home? “The surrounding communities of Clarksville, Montgomery County, MEN OF INFLUENCE • 59
KENNETH WATERS
MATTHEW COMBS
DONALD GROVES
RYAN BOWIE
MEN OF THE ROXY
Unlike our other Men of Influence features, this one features several men because we couldn’t just pick one from the Roxy Regional Theatre. So, we chose four: Ryan Bowie, Donald Groves, Matthew Combs, and Kenneth Waters, Jr. Not only are these guys responsible for keeping a historic Clarksville gem up and running, they also lead community-wide initiatives that ensure our local arts scene is not just alive, but thriving. Their impact on local youth, residents in Clarksville-Montgomery County, and the surrounding areas through the arts is immeasurable when it comes to theatre — so it felt only right that we featured them all.
he was also deeply inspired by Woods’ ability to meld fundraising and the business side of running an arts institution, and that’s influenced his leadership of the Roxy.
Ryan Bowie
Donald Groves
Ryan Bowie graduated from Frostburg State University in Maryland, and joined the Roxy Regional Theatre as the director of fundraising and development in 2011. In July of 2016, he took over as the theatre’s executive director. He made his Roxy Regional Theatre acting debut as Jinx in Forever Plaid, and has since appeared in dozens of other performances. He has also served as director and/or choreographer at the Roxy for several different productions, and has professional performance credits that include Jesus in Godspell (New York), Hamilton in the NYC premier of Dotty Dot: A New Children’s Musical, Freddy in My Fair Lady (Midwest), and Jonas in The Giver (Chicago).
Donald Groves is the marketing and rentals director of the Roxy Regional Theatre. He moved to Clarksville in 2014, and found work at a local marketing firm. He joined the theatre in January of 2022, and made his Roxy acting debut as Javert in Les Miserables. He has since appeared in many other shows. He’s a trained opera singer, and has performed with companies such as The Santa Fe Opera, Arizona Broadway Theatre, The Liederkranz Opera, The Castelton Festival, Opera Southwest and the Lake George Opera.
However, he said none of those works compare to what he has been able to accomplish during his time at the Roxy. “My biggest accomplishment is bringing the Roxy to a point where it is recognized on a governmental level in the City of Clarksville, and helping to show that the arts matter, which brings a quality of life to citizens. In that way, we can partner with non-profit entities and governmental agencies to make magic happen,” Bowie said. In the next year, he said he wants focus more on collaborating and forming more partnerships in the city to take the Roxy to the next level. In terms of inspiration and someone who made a lasting impact on him, Bowie named Darren Keith Woods, who was the general director of the Forth Worth Opera in Texas. “(Woods) ran a very successful summer playhouse called the Seagle Music Colony in upstate New York. I performed there in Summerstock several seasons, but there were just little nuggets of information that he would say that have stuck with me my entire life. We get comfortable in a place performing or in a job, and one of the things he said was, ‘We love you, but you have to go and have other people love you so that you can continue to grow.’” He said 60 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
When he’s not running the Roxy, he loves gardening and describes it as good for his soul. Bowie jokingly said he aspires to be the first Real Housewife of Clarksville, and he really likes painting. He also owns a store in the downtown City Market called City Boy Country Life. He is married to Donald Groves, who works with him at the Roxy and just so happens to be featured right below!
Groves grew up in New Mexico, and he told VIP he’s lived in more than 20 different places across the United States in his lifetime. That allowed for him to gain a wide variety of experience, and learn from many different sources. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have many different mentors across many different seasons of my life, and I would say one of the first ones is a friend of mine’s father. He’s a playwright, and unfortunately he’s since passed away, but his name was Mark Medoff. He wrote Children of a Lesser God, and he kind of helped expand my mind to the possibilities of what was available and out there, and how someone out there from a small town in New Mexico could go on to win a Tony award and change the world of theatre from a place that you don’t necessarily expect that coming from,” Groves said. With respect to his career, Groves said he’s most proud of some of the opera houses he’s been able to perform at. He’s also worked extensively with Lorin Maazel, the late conductor and composer of the New York Philharmonic. But even so, his time in Clarksville has proved most valuable because it’s given him a new understanding of what it means to serve a community through the arts. “Being a performer that traveled for many, many years, I didn’t always have skin in the game. So coming to Clarksville was really the first time I had a community
and realized the importance of laying down roots, getting involved, and becoming a part of everything that’s around here.” He also has high hopes for what he and the Roxy team will be able to accomplish in the future. “In the next year, I hope to help the Roxy reach an even broader audience here in Clarksville and the surrounding areas. I just want to bring more awareness to all of the amazing programs the Roxy offers and all the amazing people that come perform here.” Matthew Combs Matthew Combs joined the Roxy Regional Theatre as the technical director and props master in March of 2020, but he’d already made his Roxy debut in 2017 as the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. He graduated from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York and has since appeared in countless productions, including The Rocky Horror Show, Assassins, Lysistrata, Hairspray, Oklahoma! and James the Giant Peach.
that someone actually believes in my abilities and talents, which forced me to put in my all,” Waters said. In addition to those who instilled in him self-confidence, Waters said that Bowie has had a big influence on him during his time at the Roxy. “The second one is Ryan Bowie. When I started working here, the skills that I had were so-so, but if I were to go back to the Kenny from 2020 and tell him that I was going to learn all of these things, he’d probably go, ‘How? I’m not capable of learning lights. I’m not capable of learning the sound board.’ But now, it’s easy. He’s forced me to learn and grow, which is always a good thing.” In the next year, he too hopes to advance his skills to benefit the Roxy and help expand its reach to the surrounding areas. He’s an avid collector of Funko Pops, and he loves Marvel movies.
He’s most proud of generally inspiring young people to follow their dreams in performance through his involvement with the Roxy Regional School of the Arts program, which gives local youth an opportunity to explore their passions in theatre. “I have several students here that are just my pride and joy. I love them so,” Combs told VIP. “It was something I didn’t necessarily have growing up, so I want to be the role model I wanted to have at that, and so seeing that happen is important for me.” Over the next year, he hopes to continue inspiring others to create art through his involvement in the Roxy’s community programs. This drive comes from the lessons he’s learned from mentors and role models who Combs said were invaluable in his journey as an artist. “I had a technical director/scenic artist in college who always told me to not pretend to know anything and to stay humble. That really stuck with me through my drive to learn and constantly try to be better at what I do. It also helped me to accept help, especially when you don’t know something, and not being afraid to ask for help,” Combs said. Combs is also incredibly proud of the community that props up the Roxy, and particularly Clarksville’s downtown. “Everybody downtown knows who everybody is. I walk down the street and get waves from people that I’ve seen and I might not necessarily know their names right off the bat, but I learn them and we always chat about our dogs. It’s just such a wonderful community feeling.” Combs told VIP that in his free time, he likes to climb trees “even though I’m an adult.” He has a dog he adores named Spartan, and he’s fascinated by outer space, aliens, and UFOs. Kenneth L. Waters, Jr. Kenneth L. Waters, Jr. — or as his friends call him, Kenny — is a graduate of The College of Southern Maryland and Frostburg State University. He joined the Roxy Regional Theatre as the production stage manager in January 2020. Prior to that, he was busy performing in shows around Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. He’s also had a role various choral ensembles across D.C., and offstage, he has managed the stages for several productions and sound designed countless others. Waters told VIP his greatest accomplishment is being the first and only person to graduate with two degrees from Frostburg State University with a 4.0 GPA, and he did it in just two years. “They were like, ‘You’re not going to be able to do this in two years,’ and I was like, ‘Watch me.’ My final two semesters, I took 24 credits,” Waters said. He too has many mentors that have made an impact on him throughout his journey as a performer and technical artist. “The first one is Mary-Yost Rushton, because when I first went to Frostburg, I wasn’t as comfortable with being a performer as I am now. I was in a show called James and the Giant Peach and I was playing the earth worm, and I was not giving all of my voice. She looked at me, and she was like, ‘Kenny, stop auditioning and sing the song.’ And I was like, ‘Yes ma’am,’ and it made me realize
SCAN HERE TO VIEW UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
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JOEY SMITH
There are few that can say they led a county comprised of almost 200,000 people through a pandemic, but Joey Smith — the public health director of the Montgomery County Health Department — is among those that can. He has worked at Montgomery County’s health department, which is the largest rural health department and a part of the Tennessee Department of Health, for a total of 22 years. But the reason why we chose to spotlight Joey as one of VIP Clarksville’s Men of Influence extends long before COVID-19 was ever at our doorsteps. In 2014, Joey was named the Public Health Worker of the Year by the Tennessee Public Health Association. In 2015, he was one of the 12 public health officials in the nation to be named to the Emerging Leaders in Public Health by the Kresge Foundation. In that same year, for his efforts in the fight against breast cancer, he was named to the 2015 Class of Pink Tie Guys by Susan G. Komen Central Tennessee. In August 2016, for years of demonstrating transformational leadership and his ability to take data and turn it into stories, Mr. Smith was one of 22 out of nearly 40,000 state employees selected to the inaugural class of Governor’s Excellence in Service by Gov. Bill Haslam. Joey has also earned certificates in risk communication from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a certificate in leading change from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and a certificate in business excellence from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management. In addition to his vast expertise in leadership and public health, Joey also is a veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy as both active duty and in the reserves from 1990 to 1998.
But who is the man behind all these accolades? Well, firstly, Joey Smith’s first name isn’t even Joey or Joseph — that is his middle name. “Very few know my first name. My middle name is Joseph, and Joey is a nickname given to me by my grandmother. Growing up, I was very close to my grandmother (Marion Miller) and when I was born, she started calling me Joey. She said that she told my mother that she cannot call a baby ‘Harrell,’” Joey said, which is his given first name. He moved to Clarksville in 1995, and through his GI Bill, was able to enroll full-time at Austin Peay State University where he received a bachelor’s in Geographic Information Systems. “In the last 27 years, I learned a lot about why this is a great community. Because of our proximity to Tennessee Valley Authority, we have some of the cheapest electricity in the country,” Joey told VIP. “Clarksville has a low unemployment rate, and we have schools that rank nationally. Because of Fort Campbell and its proximity to Nashville, Clarksville has a diverse population. Along with being diverse, Clarksville is also one of the most inclusive cities in the country. When looking at the 274 most populated cities in the United States, Clarksville ranks in the top 50 for most inclusive (economically and racial inclusion) cities in the United States.” But Joey is also incredibly passionate about making sure that all of these great things about Clarksville continue to thrive and grow. “I serve on a lot of boards and committees and it doesn’t feel like work. Every one of them has a vision of a better community,” Joey said. “One specifically is the Clarksville Montgomery County Community Health Foundation. This foundation has provided millions of dollars of financial support for nurses to go to school, the Austin Peay Health Professionals building, Meals on Wheels, Manna Café, the construction of parks, and miles of greenway.” He is also married with two kids. “Some have asked why there are nine years between my two kids. Shortly after my first year working at the Montgomery County Health Department, I lost my first wife (Elizabeth) to colon cancer,” Joey told VIP. His oldest, Trey, who is now 25, was just four years old at the time. In addition to his visibility on community boards and committees, you also might spot him at a local sporting event or at a Mexican restaurant. “I am currently known as the guy often seen cheering for Austin Peay and the Buffalo Bills, a guy that loves to laugh, travel with my family, eat Mexican food, and listen to music at the Downtown Commons. These things are great, but I would rather be known for the kindness I try to show to others.” While Joey said there have been a lot of people in his life that have served as a mentor, there’s one that stands out. “When I was in my 8th year working for the Tennessee Department of Health, a lady named Annette Haley offered me the job of public health director for Dickson and Humphreys counties. She has the highest standards and is one of the toughest people I know. She never let me view the minimum standard as an acceptable place,” Joey said. “Randy Pausch said in his book The Last Lecture that when the coach is hard on you, it’s because they care. If you’re doing a bad job and no one points it out to you, it means that they’ve given up on you.” Over the next year and beyond, Joey wants to turn his focus towards getting Clarksville more physically active, and serve as an advocate for parks, greenways, bike lanes, and walkability. And as for a quote that Joey said embodies his outlook on life? He quotes Fred Rogers: “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
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Sean Impeartrice is the chief academic officer for the ClarksvilleMontgomery County School System. On a daily basis, he heads up the district’s instruction and curriculum department which is responsible for the education of almost 39,000 students in the area, making his reach and impact one of the largest of any of our Men of Influence. Not only that, but Impeartrice has also led efforts towards the inception of CMCSS’ Teacher Residency Pathways program — the first teacher occupational apprenticeship in the nation. It’s the first of its kind in the public education sector, and has since been adopted by the Department of Education as a model for other apprenticeships, putting the district on the map in terms of innovation. Impeartrice has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Trevecca Nazarene univeristy where he earned his Ed.D. in professional practice. He earned his master’s in educational leadership at Trevecca and his B.A. from Fresno State University in Fresno, California. He has been a presenter at the state Lead Conference, for the Tennessee Department of Education, and is a presenter for the Balanced Leadership Framework, as well as Data-Based Planning for Principals. He also has served as chair of the Tennessee Board of Advanc-Ed, which accredits K-12 schools. He came to Clarksville from the Franklin Special School District, and began working at CMCSS again during the 2016-17 school year as a secondary special education coordinator. Previously, he had worked in the district as the middle schools director under B.J. Worthington, the former director of schools. Impeartrice said Worthington’s impact continues to serve as a model for his own leadership. “He was always very focused on making sure that we served the schools and we continue to grow our leaders around areas that the schools needed to focus on. For him, attention to detail was very important, fidelity was very important, and he lived it on a daily basis. He expected it a lot of us, but you wanted that because you had the opportunity to learn and grow,” Impeartrice said. “He wanted to support innovation not just for innovation’s sake, but rather innovation that improved student achievement.”
SEAN IMPEARTRICE
it, along with the Department of Education. “I’m getting calls quite a bit, and we’re presenting it soon to folks in Texas,” Impeartrice said. Eventually, he’d like to help scaling the program to a nationwide level. “It’s community based work. When you’re doing any innovation, sometimes the context of that innovation doesn’t scale to other places. This program does, it’s about investment in the community.” Aside from getting the TRP program off the ground, Impeartrice has also been incredibly passionate about championing wrap-around support for public education, and that comes from the community getting involved. “Education is enhanced, and opportunities for success for students, are enhanced when the whole community is part of the process. There’s a couple local organizations that I’m a part of that help me do that. I’m part of the Kiwanis Club and their focus on community is important to me, and I’m an advisory board member for Cornerstone Federal Credit Union,” Impeatrice told VIP. He most wants to be known as someone who cares about student achievement, and was always willing to innovate around doing what’s best to prepare students and teachers for success. “I’d also like to be known for my leadership, and that it was about shared responsibility. This isn’t about one person — one person could never do all that work. This doesn’t happen if you don’t have people ready to execute the plan, have the same passion or push back. I get as much satisfaction from seeing other people succeed that I’ve worked with as our own success as a team,” Impeartrice said. In his free time, he loves to golf, is very active in his church, and loves to spend time on the weekends with his daughter who comes over for dinner still every Sunday.
That leadership model based on innovation has led Impeartrice to have a unique view on his own role at the head of his department: “Sometimes, when you’re in a position like I’m in, people want to please you instead of just pushing you and that’s what I learned from Dr. Worthington: push back is important. I don’t want people around me that just hear what I say and agree. Concerns and conversation are important, it’s one of the values of my instructional team,” Impeartrice said. Over his time in the district, he said he is the most proud of the Teacher Residency Pathways program, or TRP, that launched its pilot program in the 2018-19 school year. “It’s probably because of the impact it’s had on the community and people. It’s given our residents an opportunity to change their lives financially and do something that they love,” Impeartrice said. Not only does the apprenticeship allow for those interested in the teaching profession a cost-free route to attaining a degree, certification, and valuable experience, it also solves challenges facing public education at the local level: the teacher shortage, the diversity of teaching staff, and the future teachers are prepared to step into the profession. Just this year alone, there are 80 new teachers expected to graduate from the program with their teaching certifications and ready to step into the classroom full-time. The program has been so successful that other districts around the country have expressed interest in adopting
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CHRIS SMITH
When it comes to local news in Clarksville-Montgomery County, there’s one man who’s always ready to catch the latest scoop. That would be Chris Smith, who has spent the last twenty years keeping our city updated on the latest in breaking news, and bringing truth to light through investigative journalism. For the last two years, he’s served as editor-in-chief of Clarksville Now, but prior to that, he spent over 20 years at The Leaf-Chronicle and the USA Today Network, leading the efforts to deliver the newspaper to ClarksvilleMontgomery County and much of Middle Tennessee. His career in journalism started nearly 30 years ago. Chris studied English, journalism, and philosophy at Auburn University in Alabama while working at the college newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman. Later, he would also work at the campus magazine, The Auburn Circle, and then went on to get a master’s degree in English also at Auburn. His first job in journalism in 1993 at the Daily Home Newspaper in Talladega, Alabama, where he spent three years as a copy editor. Chris then worked for a little over two years at the Tallahassee Democrat in Florida as the assistant night coordinator. In 1999, he moved to Clarksville and became the senior editor of The Leaf-Chronicle. “I’m proud of leading the efforts to create great local journalism in difficult economic times,” Chris told VIP. “I’ve been in this for almost 30 years, and for the last 15, I’ve seen newspapers nationwide diminish and die. That’s creating a crisis for democracy as we have fewer sources for local news. Most of the journalists I came into this with have left the business, but I’ve been able to move into leadership positions, as regional news editor for USA Today NetworkMiddle Tennessee, then also editor of The Leaf-Chronicle, and now as editor-in-chief at Clarksville Now. All along, I’ve pushed hard to maintain local investigative journalism that makes a difference, and now I’m in a position where we’re not just maintaining, we’re actually growing.”
Chris said his journey to leadership in the news industry wouldn’t have been possible without one specific mentor he had along the way. “Michael Anastasi, Tennessean Editor and Region Editor for USA Today Network, took me under his wing, truly listened to me, guided me, and challenged me,” Chris said. “He expanded my role and handed me many difficult responsibilities while holding me to high expectations. But he paired that with support, encouragement, and trust. The best advice he gave me, as a fellow workaholic personality, was that there’s always more that you could be doing, so learn when to stop.” A large part of his dedication to making Clarksville better through journalism comes from his love for the city and what makes it unique. “I love that Clarksville is a Southern city that embraces diversity. Having grown up in both small-town Alabama and big-city New Jersey, and then moved around a lot, I love many aspects of the South. Clarksville offers that.” He adds that although some Southern cities have a tendency to be conventionally small-minded, the constant flux provided by military soldiers and their families moving in and out that distinctively pushes Clarksville out of that stereotype. “Plus, it has an arts community centered on Austin Peay State University. So, we have more racial and political diversity than a lot of Southern cities, and we’re more welcoming to LGBTQ neighbors, immigrants, and mixed-race families for example. Clarksville is far from perfect. But being here is a relief to those of us who have lived in places that are not so friendly. Also, it’s a growing city – something we toooften take for granted – and a city committed to improving its unique downtown.” Aside from keeping Clarksville informed on all the news, Chris is also incredibly connected to the community, and believes getting to know your neighbors regardless of where they fall on the political or business spectrum is integral to making the city better for all. “Working shoulder to shoulder toward a common goal with people you might sometimes disagree with is how we make Clarksville a better place to live,” Chris said. He’s very involved with Trinity Episcopal Church, where he is a parishioner. He has also been volunteering with Leadership Clarksville since 2008, and he recently joined the Kiwanis Club downtown. This year, Chris is also on the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce board. In addition to his accomplished career as a journalist, he’s a published novelist, with Salamanders of the Silk Road (Lanternfish Press, 2016); and he’s had two short stories published: “Love at First Sound: What Happened Between Me and Delores Hightower” (Gateway Review, Winter 2020) and “Exile From Sodom” (Waxing & Waning, 2021). He’s also picky about his brews. “I’m a beer snob. But don’t care for IPAs, much preferring amber, red and brown ales,” Chris said. He has also been wearing Chuck Taylors since 1986 — and he wears them rain or shine (and even in the snow) — though he stresses it’s not been the same pair. In his personal life, he and his wife Kate will be celebrating 30 years of marriage next year, and this will be their first full year as empty nesters as their three children together are now grown. “I’m hoping we can slow down from our many community activities and relax a bit. In the next five years, I have a grand plan to renovate our house to finally move our laundry room out of the basement.”
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If you haven’t heard the name Joshua Peltz yet, you likely will soon — which is why we feel the need to make sure the community knows more about this really cool guy as one of our Men of Influence. In the next year, he will retire from the Army, where he has 20 years of service under his belt as a bomb technician. He also served on five combat deployments, and received the Purple Heart medal after he was wounded in Afghanistan in 2010. In addition to his military service, Peltz is also deeply creative: in the last year, he’s launched a photography business called Joshua Peltz Photography & Design, which will be his full-time pursuit after exiting the military. He specializes in taking professional headshots, lifestyle photography, and real estate cinematography. Peltz is also now working with VIP Clarksville Magazine now as one of our brilliant photographers! He’s married to Jamie Peltz, his wife of nine years who he describes as “one of the hardest-working, most influential people in Clarksville.” The pair have three children together, and he said that of all his accomplishments, he was the most proud of who they are becoming. “All three of my kids are amazing — they are straight-A students, well-mannered, and constantly helpful. Not that they don’t each have their challenges, but watching them come into their own has been the honor of my life. I can’t wait to meet who they’re growing up to be,” Peltz said. He then related it to watching some of the soldiers under his leadership grow and transform. “It’s similar with soldiers I’ve led who continue to achieve and excel. I was in long enough to watch several of my troops go on to things like being selected for elite special operations units, graduate from college with advanced degrees, and become leaders and mentors their own troops look up to.” When asked who he’d choose as a role model, Peltz said he’s been lucky enough to feel as though he’s charted his own way through much of his life experiences. But his approach to leadership in the Army comes from a unique source: superheroes. “When I was a child, I was an avid reader, whether it be a novel, a textbook, or a comic book, and always felt drawn to protagonists who do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. Characters like Captain America and Superman were some of my favorites,” Peltz said. He added that he does have a few real life superheroes — the first of which would be his mother. “She was essentially a single mother who also took care of my grandparents, and she did it with grace and aplomb. She encouraged me to be who I want to be and taught me honor and service above self. My second hero would be my wife Jamie, who also has a penchant for overcoming adversity and who works harder than any person I’ve ever met. She just doesn’t have the ability to not move forward.”
JOSHUA PELTZ
In the next five years, he hopes he can use his determination for success — personally or through his business — to make a positive impact on the community. This is something he will carry on from his days in uniform. “A society dies when the interests of the individuals outweigh the interests of the community. I was raised to always leave things a little better than you found them. In the Army, I preached the ‘your-share-plus’ mentality, which means if we all just do a little more, a tiny bit more than our own share, then everyone will benefit. I recently joined Kiwanis here in Clarksville because they’re an organization that embodies that ideal. They support a large number of projects that benefit the community and make Clarksville a better place to live and raise a family.” As a child, Peltz spent many summers visiting Middle Tennessee where his grandparents lived. Much of his family still lives in nearby Nashville, and he was first stationed at Fort Campbell in 2009. He left Clarksville in 2012 but returned to the area in 2018. Because of his love for the city and the people in it, he said he has no plans for leaving again any time soon. “I love that Clarksville is a growing city that still has a hometown feel. I’m sure everywhere has amazing people, but I was just talking with a friend the other day about how it really feels like we have the lion’s share of salt-of-the-Earth, good people here in ClarksvilleMontgomery County.” In his free time, he loves watching Formula 1 racing. “I’m an avid reader, an avid animal lover, and crazily enough, despite all outward appearances, I am a classic introvert,” Peltz told VIP. And a quote that he lives by comes from Garth Stein’s novel The Art of Racing in the Rain: “Such a simple concept, yet so true: that which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.”
In looking forward to life after retirement, Peltz said he hopes to throw all of his weight behind turning his passion into his day-job. “In the next year, I’d like to grow my business to be a competitor in the creative space here in Middle Tennessee. I have a lot of opportunities now to make a name for myself and to have a positive contribution to the community,” Peltz continued. He said that he’d like to figure out a way to leverage his skillset help coach and teach individuals interesting in learning from him. “I like to think I’m almost a halfdecent photographer and designer, both aesthetically and technically, but we’re not really succeeding until we’re passing it on. I find myself quite often brainstorming on ways to bring together a handful of likeminded creative people to build something truly effectual and open doors to even more opportunities.”
MEN OF INFLUENCE • 65
GUY STANFORD JR & ZAVION WILLIAMS
Our Men of Influence issue just wouldn’t have been complete without including two of Clarksville’s most promising entrepreneurs: Guy Stanford Jr. and Zavion Williams. The pair might best be known for being the co-owners of Fat Shack Clarksville, a franchise location of a restaurant that was pitched on the TV show Shark Tank in 2019, but what some might not know about them is that they are both Clarksville natives, heavily involved in local sports, and have their eyes set on giving back to the community that built them. Guy Stanford Jr. Stanford is a graduate of Kenwood High School, and has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Austin Peay State University. In addition to co-owning Fat Shack Clarksville, Stanford is also the CEO and co-founder of Infinity Co., LLC — an innovative consultation firm specializing in the hospitality industry — and the president of King TUT Fitness Equipment, LLC. He also founded Pitch Masters TN, a Shark Tank-like pitch competition that’s held annually in Clarksville to help established business owners seeking funding to branch into a new areas of investment. His innate love for Clarksville comes from his desire to see the city prosper. “Community involvement is vital to the culture of our city and the development we need to grow. Without leaders providing an investment of their time and efforts, we will be stagnant as a community. I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the founder of the Guy Stanford Jr. Keep Hope Alive Scholarship for Kenwood High School seniors,” Stanford told VIP. He is also a coach of local basketball and baseball teams.
As far as his motivation and drive to widen his impact through both business and community involvement, he said that wouldn’t have been possible without a mentor who pushed him in the direction of success. “Richard ‘Reasons’ Garrett has been that for me the moment I decided to be an entrepreneur,” Stanford told VIP. “He has opened so many doors for me, gives me advice daily for whatever I need, holds me accountable, and never sugarcoats anything. He has taken my career to the next level through his time and efforts into me. I have my own personal goals for how I’d like to repay him when I get in the position to.” He’s also got massive aspirations for his business ventures over the next five years: “I’d like for me and Zavion to have three Fat Shack locations, and be in two arenas as concession partners. I’d like for Tipsy ToGo to be the biggest third-party delivery app in the world. I’d like for Pitch Masters TN to produce some of the best entrepreneurs of this generation and become the nationwide source for pitch competitions and incubators; and become one of the top non-profits in the world promoting entrepreneurship. Lastly, I’d like for my sons to start having small roles in my businesses to give them a head start into entrepreneurship.” But aside from business, there’s more to Guy than meets the eye. He’s got a trick up his sleeve that he referred to as a “superpower for
66 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
his career”: he has dyslexia. He is a father to two young boys, which he said is the greatest accomplishment of his life. “Me taking the risks to be an entrepreneur is my second greatest accomplishment, as it has taught me so many things about life, others, and myself,” Stanford said. Zavion Williams Williams is a graduate of West Creek High, and has a bachelor’s in sports broadcasting from Austin Peay State University and a master’s in marketing communications also from APSU. During his tenure at Austin Peay, he was a member and team captain of the 2013-2015 basketball team, a Student Athletic Advisory Committee representative and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Theta Beta Chapter. He’s also the only basketball player in Clarksville to go to the TSSAA state tournament with two different teams — Northeast High and West Creek High — and he also played basketball for Austin Peay and Lipscomb University. Through both basketball and his business pursuits, Williams said he wants to be remembered as a leader that’s made a difference and someone who has helped numerous people in multiple facets of life; financially, spiritually, emotionally, directly, and indirectly. “I love that it’s a city of potential. I grew up here, I remember when Tiny Town was three lanes with no new schools, movie theater, multiple business, etc. To be able to experience what I have growing up here and traveling to other cities, I can see myself helping build the community to an even more favorable destination. There’s still room for growth and input,” Williams said. In addition to his overall determination to assist in Clarksville’s growth, Williams said the platform that comes along with being a business owner allows him to give back to the organizations that make the city already great. “Through Fat Shack, I can participate in sponsoring Clarksville Montgomery County School System and APSU Athletic Department. We try to hold an annual Back to School Bash at Fat Shack with an organization. We’ve also sponsored local community youth baseball teams and soccer teams through Fat Shack,” Williams told VIP. “Community involvement is important because this is our town. In order to see the changes, you want, you must put skin in the game. Words without actions are dead.” Much like Stanford, Williams said his proudest accomplishment has been becoming a father to his son Kai Zavion Zamaar Williams. He also is incredibly proud of winning four consecutive district basketball tournaments in Clarksville as an assistant coach at Northeast High School which has never been done before. In addition to being a co-owner of Fat Shack Clarksville, Williams is also an educational assistant at West Creek Middle School. In his free time, he enjoys listening to motivational podcasts, watching motivational videos, and battle rapping. Eventually, he wants to return to coaching basketball for a school, or open a scouting agency for amateur basketball players in our community.
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Chad Masters (2-time world Champion Header), Rye, Debbie, Coy, Kylee, & Bob Masters
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze The Kiwanis Club of Clarksville recently hosted its 33rd Annual Bill Hoy Kiwanis Rodeo, at the Montgomery County 4-H Arena on Rossview Road. Thousands came out over the course of two nights to enjoy the PRCA and WPRA sanctioned professional rodeo which featured team roping, bull riding, saddle bronc, and bareback riding, barrel racing, rodeo clowns and more.
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All proceeds from the event benefit Kiwanis Club’s programs for children in Clarksville-Montgomery County. Kiwanis has provided more than 100 years of service, and is dedicated to improving the lives of local children through literacy, wellness and scholarship.
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Brayli, Michael, Irelyn & Zoe Costello 68 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
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MEN OF INFLUENCE • 69
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sundown
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze
Downtown @ Sundown was back at Downtown Commons for the second installment of the season, Local Night, with live music from Tennessee Pluckers featuring Kyle Clements, followed by Music for Mercy. Music for Mercy is a local band led by Lynne Halliburton that plays a variety of classics from Tina Turner to Bruno Mars. Guests also enjoyed food trucks, and beverages served by folks from United Way. The Downtown @ Sundown Concert Series is free to the public, and takes place on the first and third Fridays of each month, through October.
Jeff Harris, Dave Hartnett & Valerie Guzman
Gina & Sean Castleberry 70 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
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Lee Buggs, Cindy & Randy Whiting
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Dozens of riders came out for the annual Special Forces Brotherhood Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Joel Pruitt, president of Special Forces Association, Chapter 38, talked about the event that included a silent auction, beer and food, and a special remembrance ceremony.
Charles Tinnin & Ryan Wahl
Chuck Lewellen & Monty Johnson
“We’ve been doing this ceremony since around 2002,” Pruitt said. “Will Williams organized the first one, the dog-tag ceremony came later. In recent years, the Special Forces Brotherhood Motorcycle Club has handled the ride for us. They’re all Chapter 38 members, and retired 5th Group SF guys.” Honored at the ceremony are fallen soldiers. “Each rider carries a dog tag from one of our fallen that they place on a wreath. We recognize Distinguished Service Cross and Medal of Honor winners from the Vietnam War, others by the year we lost them. Then, everyone we’ve lost since 1988, when the legion moved to Fort Campbell.” Everyone is invited to join the ride. It always starts at Appleton’s HarleyDavidson at noon. There is a 2-hour ride, and then the ceremony at the Chapter 38 Clubhouse in Oak Grove, Kentucky. Sean Bush, Jeremy & Amanda Brown
Dom Rivera & Whitney Allen
Gary & Lynn Bartlett
Jenny Woodard & Sean Reenock
John Schuler & Shane Dillow MEN OF INFLUENCE • 73
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LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER. www.tommyvfortennessee.com | Paid For By Tommy V For Tennessee, Joseph Johnson, Treasurer 74 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
CELEBRATING APPLETON HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY • 63
Andrew Kester & County Commissioner Walker Woodruff
Maryanna Christy, Rosalind Kurita & Lyle Christy
June Cacal & Sally Swigart
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Brian & Maryann Carroll, Sandy Ellis
The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at William O. Beach Civic Hall. VSO Director, Andrew Kester welcomed everyone to the event, which included the Posting of Colors by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the National Anthem performed by Stella McKnight and the CHS Carnival and Encore Choirs, and Pastor Angel Luciano delivering both the invocation and benediction. County Commissioner Walker Woodruff and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts both offered remarks to the crowd of approximately 250. Guest speaker BG Scott Brower, US Army (Ret.) then shared some personal stories, in a very moving speech. The event closed with a wreath laying ceremony that included representatives of more than a dozen Veteran service organizations.
Cynthia & Mayor Joe Pitts
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Kimberly Byers & Linda Douglas
Lawrence Douglas & Larry Wells
Senator Bill Powers & Rosalind Kurita
Petra Roush & Jimmy Wiesner MEN OF INFLUENCE • 75
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BOOTS ON THE GROUND OPENING CEREMONY
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Specialist Joel Herbert
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Fort Campbell’s annual Boot Display, which honors America’s fallen soldiers from September 11, 2001 to present, was the opening event at this year’s Week of the Eagles. More than 7,500 boots were placed on the lawn each was adorned with an American flag, a photo of the fallen soldier, and a tag that lists the soldier’s name, rank, date, and location of death. This year’s Week of the Eagles celebration marks 80 years of service by the storied 101st Airborne Division. The theme of the week was 80 years of getting it done with the 101. Col. Bernard Harrington, Fort Campbell’s deputy commanding officer, presided over the ceremony.
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Donna Windham & Taylor Dahl Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Clarksville attorney Kimberly Turner has practiced law for twenty-one years. She recently announced she will be running for Circuit Court Judge for Robertson and Montgomery counties to replace retiring Judge Ted Crozier, Jr. Dozens of friends, family, and colleagues gathered for Turner’s campaign kickoff event at Blackhorse Pub & Brewery to show their support.
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Joe Alston & Sylvester Jenkins 78 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
“I’m not a politician,” Turner said. “I’m running as an independent because I don’t think there is a place on the bench for politics. I believe a judge should be independent, they should follow the law, and they should respect the people who come before them in their courtrooms. Everyone should be treated fairly, and with respect, whether they’re represented by counsel or not.”
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2022 Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration Buck Dellinger & Dan Moore
CC Wheeler & Sherry Pickering
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region recently held their 2022 Annual Meeting & Campaign Celebration at Wilma Rudolph Event Center. This event recognized and honored those who helped UWGCR carry on the mission of strengthening the health, education, and financial stability of our community throughout the 2021-22 campaign year. Each year this annual event celebrates the accomplishments of UWGCR’s 23 partner agencies who work tirelessly to provide critical services to individuals and families in our community as well as UWGCR’s workplace partners and their employees who have supported them.
CFR Chief Freddie Montgomery, Jr. & Deputy Chief Steve Batten
Liane Wilson, Keely Quinlan & Ashley Mynatt
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Deborah Ashcraft & Kris Bacchus MEN OF INFLUENCE • 81
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Elizabeth McAskill, Jamie Bardeen, Amanda Dusenberry & Viola Sykes
Ginger Luffman, Cynthia Pitts & William Luffman
Khandra Smalley & O’Neal Wiggins 82 • VIP CLARKSVILLE MAGAZINE
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Frank Ketcham & Rob Selko
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