M. DOUGLAS CAMPELL, JR. serves as the first General Counsel for Covenant Health, the area’s largest healthcare provider and employer of more than 10,000 of our East Tennessee neighbors. In that role, he is the chief legal officer for the company, with reporting to the CEO and the board of directors. His responsibilities include representation of the health system, constituent hospitals, and for-profit and nonprofit affiliates; physician contracting and relationships; healthcare mergers and acquisitions; construction and licensure of health care facilities; corporate and organizational governance; regulatory compliance efforts involving state and Federal laws; laws affecting nonprofit and tax-exempt entities, and other areas.
From 1985 until April 2017, Campbell was with the Knoxville law firm of Wagner, Myers & Sanger, P.C. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with high honors (accounting 1984), and a juris doctor degree, with highest honors (1987), both from the University of Tennessee. Campbell is currently serving on the Board of Directors of The Development Corporation of Knox County, and has served on numerous other industry and community boards. He and his wife, Susan, are active members of Northstar Church, have three grown children and live in South Knox County on the beautiful French Broad River.
MICHAEL T. CRAWFORD came from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and graduated with a Masters degree from the University of Tennessee. He immediately began his military career which included 21 years of active and reserve duty and retired in 1993 with the rank of Lt. Colonel, USAR.
Mike owns The Crawford Agency specializing in insurance and investments since 1973. A member of the Knoxville Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and Million Dollar Round Table, life and qualifying, for 26 years. He has served as advisor with various insurance and investment companies in formulating product releases and agent representation. Past President of the Knoxville Track Club during the beginning of the Expo 10,000 and a 35 year member, past President and Life Member of the Reserve Officer’s Association, member of ETMAC, Board of ETVMA, and Distinguished Past-President of both the East Knoxville Kiwanis Club and Kiwanis Club of Knoxville where he has been a member for 31 years with perfect attendance. He and his wife Mary are members of Church Street United Methodist Church.
JOLEEN WORSLEY DEWALD (Operations Consultant) joined the ETVMA Board in 2010. She moved to Knoxville in 2005 after more than twenty years in Washington D.C. working on and with Capitol Hill. Following her graduation from Iowa State University, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R- IA) and later represented Governor Terry E. Branstad in the State of Iowa’s Washington D.C. office.
She then served as Executive Director for the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute (CELI) where she organized educational conferences for Members of Congress and congressional staff on issues relating to economic competiveness, trade, and international relations. She also coordinated domestic and international travel for inter-parliamentary exchanges to Europe, South America and Asia.
Active in the Sons of Norway fraternal organization for nearly twenty years, Joleen was a charter member of the first Lodge to be established in Tennessee, and recently begin her second year term as President of the Smoky Mountain Bulldog Club. Along with her husband Bob Dewald (USAF ret), she is the co-founder of Road March for Warriors, an East Tennessee veterans umbrella organization supporting numerous veterans causes and activities in the area and has also been involved in supporting Honor Air and the American Legion, and serves as Director for the Post 2 American Legion Riders.
RYAN K. DOBBS, AIA, is vice president at BarberMcMurry Architects, a full-service design firm founded in 1915. He holds a bachelor of architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology and is a U.S. Army veteran, 82nd Airborne Division, who completed two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2001 and 2005. His commendations include the Army Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device “V”, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.
He serves on The Muse Knoxville Board of Directors and is a member of Rotary Club of Knoxville and the FLETCH Society of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. In addition to the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association, he is a supporter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, HonorAir, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Ryan and his wife, Mary Ellen, are Lenoir City natives. They have three daughters and spend their time hiking, paddling and camping in beautiful East Tennessee.
WILLIAM T. EICHHORN (Board President) was born September 23, 1965 in Frostburg, Maryland. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Class upon graduation from Frostburg State College (Economics and Spanish) in 1987. Upon completion of The Basic School (7-87) and Infantry Officers Course, Captain Eichhorn’s first Fleet Marine Force assignment was with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA. Until 1991, Captain Eichhorn served in the billets of 3rd Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader and then Company Executive Officer with Lima Company, 3/9 and deployed to Honduras and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. From April 1991 until April 1992 Captain Eichhorn served as Commander, Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. His last active duty tour was as the Executive Officer of Recruiting Station, Jacksonville, FL from 1992 until 1995. He regained his commission as an officer of Marines in 2004 and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, as a battalion adviser to the 2nd BN, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Division from January 2005 until September 2005. He completes his second stint as a Marine when he resigns his commission in May 2006. His professional schools include Mountain Warfare Training, Bridgeport, CA, Naval Gunfire Liaison and Naval Dive School. He has been nominated for the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
In his civilian career, Captain Eichhorn has been the regional operations manager of a national recruiting firm and the regional development director for a national non-profit organization. He now serves as a registered representative for Rather & Kittrell Capital Management in Knoxville. Married to the former Beth Marie Miller, the Eichhorns reside in Maryville, TN and have three children, twins Catherine and Caroline, 12, and Blake, 9.
CHARLES R. HARR (Board Treasurer) has been a Certified Financial Planner with Patriot Investment Management since 1994. He served in the Air Force for 26 years as a fighter pilot, air force planner, operations officer and wing commander. Combat qualified in the F-100, A-7, F-4, A-10, F-117 and F-15. Flew 200 combat missions in Vietnam in the F-100 Supersabre and was director of the Tactical Air Control Center during the first Gulf war. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.
His board and community service include: Rotary Club of Knoxville, Secretary 2001-2006, Vice-President 2000, Director 1999, Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Chair 1998-1999 and 2008-continuing; United Way, Allocations Panel Chair 2003, Allocations Panel Vice-Chair 2002, Allocations Committee 2002 & 2003, Allocations Panel member 1999 through 2001, September 11 Day of Caring Committee 2000; Dogwood Arts Board of Directors, Treasurer 2011-continuing. He and his wife Lynne reside in West Knoxville.
KEITH NEELY was appointed as the Vice President for Facility Operations at UT Medical Center in September 2016. His former role before joining UTMS was as the VP for Support Services at the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, TX.
In his final 2 roles as a senior executive in the VA, Keith served as the Assistant Director (Deputy COO) of the Bay Pines (FL) VA Healthcare System and as the Associate Director (COO) of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (AR).
Keith began his VA career in 2001 and had the opportunity to serve in various roles at VA healthcare facilities in Houston, TX, Lexington, KY, Bay Pines, FL, and Fayetteville, AR. He has also served in interim and consulting roles at other healthcare facilities in the VHA system.
Prior to joining Veterans Health Administration, Mr. Neeley served in a myriad of leadership roles in the military and private industry. His experience includes mid-level management positions with ARAMARK Healthcare Support Services, PepsiCo Corporation, and the United States Army. Commissioned in 1984 as a Regular Army Officer, Mr. Neeley served at various facilities in the United States and overseas assignments. He successfully completed two company-level commands before honorably discharging from the Army in 1993 .
Mr. Neeley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and an MBA from Houston Baptist University. He is a graduate of the VHA’s Executive Career Field Candidate Development Program (ECFCDP), Board Certified in Healthcare Administration through the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a VHA Certified Mentor (VHA-CM), and a Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt.
Mr. Neeley is married with 2 daughters. His wife Leslie is a cardiac care RN. He enjoys all sports & fitness activities, golf, reading, and spending time with family & friends.
ASHLEY NICKLOES lives by life by her Faith, Family, and Service. For the past 21 years I have been serving as a pilot in the Tennessee Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force. I also serve full time for the National Guard Bureau as the Deputy Director of NGB Joint Patriot Exercise where we concurrently train military and civilian entities to respond to disasters. This exercise ensures our homeland is well served and protected following the devastation of a natural or man-made calamity. In 2017 I served in the Tennessee Joint Force Headquarters as the Air Liaison coordinating air lift of supplies and personnel, to and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the destruction of the hurricanes.
I recently returned, October of 2019, from my sixth deployment to the Middle East. I have supported numerous operations worldwide in support of the Global War on Terror since 9/11 including: Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Unified Protector. While deployed in 2019, I completed my Masters in Military Operational Art and Science with a concentration in Joint Warfare.
I have the blessing of an amazing family! My husband of 20 years is a Trauma & General Surgeon and Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He also works part time at the Kingsport Medical Center. He retired from the Tennessee Air National Guard after 22 years of service. We have five children, four living.
My father is retired from the Air Force Reserve. My mother lost her father in WWII. He was a pilot on B-17s based out of North Africa and later B-29s out of Sai Pan. He died returning back to Sai Pan following a bombing run and weather reconnaissance mission over mainland Japan. They experienced strong headwinds, ran out of fuel and were forced to ditch into the Pacific. He died but other crewmembers survived. It makes my mission as an aerial refueling tanker pilot very personal. I get the blessing of ensuring others make it all the way home.
PAT POLIS
BS-Business Magna Cum Laude, University of Alabama
Master of Divinity, Asbury Theological Seminary
Doctor of Divinity, Logos Graduate School
Certified Church Consultant
Certified John Maxwell Team Member
8 years Army Officer, command and staff, two tours in Vietnam
17 years in business management, including plant management and CEO of a $30 million corporation
28 years in pastoral ministry specializing in church revitalization
Chaplain, Knoxville Polis Department
Board President, Wesley House Community Center
Board President, Midway Rehabilitation Center
Board member, Compassion Coalition
Board member, East TN Military Affairs Council
President, Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 1078
Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, Ft Benning, GA, class of 2019
Author, Reclaiming the Church online church revitalization course
Radio talk show host, The Church Mechanic, WRJZ, Thursdays 5-6:00pm
Married to wife Gayle 52 years; 3 children, 7 grandchildren
WES STOWERS grew up in Chattanooga and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976. He served twelve years on active duty throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East as a Fighter Pilot and Instructor Pilot. He served ten more years in the Air Force Reserve and retired in 1998 as a lieutenant colonel. He is chairman of Stowers Machinery Corporation, the Caterpillar heavy equipment and engine distributor for East Tennessee, and he serves on numerous business and charitable boards in the Knoxville community. Stowers holds a Masters Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He and his wife Liz are members of Sacred Heart Cathedral and have two daughters, Lisa and Rachel.
SCOTT SUCHOMSKI (Past President) has served as the Executive Director for the Tennessee Valley Fair since 2006 and is a recipient of the Certified Fair Executive designation. He graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Marketing. Scott attended the University of Tennessee on an Army Scholarship and received a Regular Army commission through the ROTC program.
Upon graduation, Scott was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, as a Second Lieutenant, and was discharged from active duty in 1991. He has spent over seventeen years in the Army National Guard to include one year in the North Carolina Army National Guard and the remainder in the Tennessee Army National Guard which included over fourteen years with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Scott has held a variety of leadership and staff positions to include, Platoon Leader, Troop Commander, Squadron Executive Officer, Squadron Commander, Brigade S-3, and he is currently a Lieutenant Colonel serving as the Deputy Commander, 30th Troop Command, located in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Scott has deployed twice to the Republic of Iraq, 2004-2005 and 2010, with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard. His commendations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Service Stars and the Basic Parachutist Badge and is the recipient of the Noble Patron of Armor.
His community involvement includes membership in the Rotary Club of Knoxville, Great Smoky Mountain Council for the Boys Scout of America, East Tennessee Discovery Center Board of Trustees, Chair of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee, Knight of Columbus, and Leadership Knoxville (2012).
Scott and his wife Paula reside in Karns and are members of All Saints Catholic Church. They have two daughters Maddison and Abbington who both attend the University of Tennessee and a son Max who attends St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge.
JOE SUTTER is active in the Knoxville community. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Knoxville and the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council, past Chair of his parish council, and served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Knoxville. While maintaining active involvement in those organizations, he also currently serves as member of the Board of Directors of a large health care organization in East Tennessee. He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and has received the Knoxville News Sentinel Community Cornerstone Award.
He is also active in HonorAir Knoxville, which takes World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see the Memorial built in their honor. He has helped with the planning and conduct of eight HonorAir flights to date.
Joe served on active duty in the US Air Force for 28 years at various locations: Minot AFB, N.D.; Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; the Pentagon; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.; and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His primary military duties were in ICBM operations. He commanded an ICBM squadron, operations group, and missile wing. Other military duties included Staff Officer assignments at the Pentagon, including two years in Air Force Legislative Liaison; Hq. Strategic Air Command, Chief of the Advanced ICBM Requirements Division; and Senior Controller, SAC Command Center. He graduated from the Naval War College, College of Command and Staff, with Highest Distinction, and from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces as a Distinguished Graduate. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal with four OLCs; Air Force Commendation Medal with one OLC; and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and from the University of Southern California with a Master of Science degree in Systems Management. He works as a consultant on national security matters, serving USAF and other clients in the Washington, D.C., area. Joe and his wife, Geri have three grown children and three grandchildren. His hobbies include reading, travel, and golf.
JENNY TESTERMAN (Board Secretary) is a graduate of Sweetwater High School and Hiwassee College. She has uncles who served in Korea and Vietnam. Her father and stepfather served in Vietnam, earning 7 Purple Hearts, and later served in and retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Jenny has served a three-year term as the Regional Volunteer Coordinator for Family Readiness Groups in the TN Army National Guard. She continues to serve National Guard families by serving on the TN National Guard Family Programs Advisory Council as a member and recorder. She also extends her knowledge to all other branches of service to assist them in establishing Family Readiness Groups. At other times, she is called on as a presenter or trainer for issues relating to Service members and their families. Jenny was also tasked to create a curriculum about reunion and reintegration to be instructed at professional development workshops presented by TN National Guard Family Programs.
Jenny currently serves on a committee to create and publish a national newsletter for National Guard Volunteers and is a member of the East TN committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). She is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Order of the Purple Heart. In 2009, Jenny was awarded the Seven Seals Award by ESGR and was selected as the 2009 Army National Guard Family Member of the Year.
Jenny has a full-time administrative career. In her spare time. She is the wife of SFC Michael E. Testerman. Mike has 29 years of service with the TN Army National Guard and has deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is mother to John and Katie; stepmother to Jason and Becky and grandmother to Will and Olivia.
NEAL C. WHETSEL JR. graduated from Morristown High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966 from East Tennessee State University. Joined the United States Army to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Lee, Virginia, Commissioned on May 4, 1967.
Initial unit assignment as a Petroleum Supply Officer to Headquarters, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, then a platoon leader in the 520th Quartermaster Company at Fort Lee, Virginia. Deployed to Republic of Vietnam March 1968, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). The Division area(s) of operation from March 1968 to March 1969 included I Corps, II Corps and III Corps for Division logistic support during the four Campaigns, in the dates noted, of the seventeen designated for the Vietnam War.
Upon returning to the United States, assigned to the 3292 USAR School to continue military obligation to include promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Assigned in 1985 to the 125th Army Reserve Command in Nashville as the Supply and Service Section Chief. Army Command and General Staff College completed in March 1979, graduated on Commandant’s List.
Medals and awards: Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Meritorious Unit Commendation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass, Army Service Ribbon. Inducted into the Officer Candidate School Association Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga. in 2020
Civilian employment, upon release from active duty with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Worked in the Knoxville Region Office as Chief of Acquisition to acquire land for public road projects. Accepted the position of Civil Engineer Specialist in Nashville Office to manage the statewide right of way acquisitions, relocation assistance/property management functions to include coordination of eminent domain court cases with the State Deputy Attorney General. Following State retirement, established Real Estate Acquisition Management Company. Expanded the operations and concurrently accepted employment with Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineers in 1998 as Principal Right of Way Agent to establish the Corporate Right of Way Operations to acquire land for road projects in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Retired from Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineers in 2014. Continued to consult with State, City and Public Agencies on acquisition of land.
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Joe Alexander
Joe Bailey
Jeff Berry
Logan Hickman
Jennifer Holder
Kenneth J. Irvine
Kim Lauth
Eddie Mannis
Michael Miller
Robert Minter
Robert Murrian
Nick McCall
Sam Robinson
Marilyn Roddy
John Romeiser
Robert Tiebout
Randy Tyree
George Wallace
