Mike Arrington - Member

Mike Arrington is Past President of The Operation Andrew Group and previously had a 15-year career with LifeWay Christian Resources, retiring in 2007 as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Since relocating to Nashville in 1991, he has been active in local civic affairs, including serving as Chairman of the Board for the Nashville/Middle Tennessee Fellowship of Christian Athletes, membership in the Nashville Rotary Club, and serving as Chairman of the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Citizens Committee. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Mike and his wife, Paula, reside in Tyler, Texas.  They have two grown children and seven grandchildren.  Mike and Paula attend Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Bruner -Member

A writer, influential thought leader, and the visionary behind "The Beatitude Chronicle” and Beatitude Code Ministries, J. Steve Bruner’s career has been a fascinating journey, encompassing roles such as director of social work for the Masonic Children's Home, a senior executive in the computer industry for over two decades, entrepreneur, mentor, Stephens Minister, and Enneagram coach.  Steve was the original co-host of Computer Talk, the first-ever TV talk show on PBS. He founded PC Idea Publications, an ad agency, and Natural Biology, a company he still runs.   He is married to Sherry; they have two children and seven grandchildren.  Steve enjoys golf, backpacking, and fly rod fishing.  His new book Beatitude Code is scheduled for release in the summer of 2024.

 

 

 

Butch Burns - Vice-Chairman

Butch Burns is an attorney who has spent over 30 years in several important positions with the state of Tennessee including State Election Coordinator of Elections in the office of the Tennessee Secretary of State as well as senior legal counsel for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. He and his wife Maribeth have been married for 38 years and have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. In addition to participating in numerous short-term missions opportunities both locally and internationally he and Maribeth relocated to New York City for several years to assist in church planting in conjunction with the North American Missions Board. Butch is a Colson Fellow of the Colson Center of Christian Worldview and has served on the board of various non-profits. He and Maribeth are active at The Village Chapel.

 

 

Larry Crain - Member

 

 

 

Russel Dunn - Chairman

Russel Dunn is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He previously taught at Auburn University where he earned his terminal degree. He has acted as consultant in numerous court cases as a specialist in chemically-related forensics.

He and his wife Donna attend Brentwood Baptist Church.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ila Foster – Member

Dr. Ila Foster is the owner of Graceful Hands Chiropractic & Wellness Center and co-owner of The Atelier, Inc., a wellness co-working space for Psychotherapists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Registered Dieticians, Acupuncturists, Life Coaches and other wellness providers in Nashville, TN. With decades of practice in the Washington, D.C. and Nashville, TN areas, Dr. Foster genuinely believes in delivering quality chiropractic care that is thorough and delivered with graceful hands.  She has been blessed to help thousands of patients achieve their optimal levels of health while educating them on the importance of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Dr. Foster is a native of Marks, MS and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS and Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, GA.

 

 

 

Ron Gambill – Member

Ron Gambill is Executive Vice President for Student Lending and Legislative Affairs of Education Loan Finance. Formerly, he served for 16 years as Chairman and CEO of Educational Funding of the South, the Tennessee designated secondary market for student loans. He was Executive Director of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) for over 17 years and served as an Associate Professor and Department Head of Financial Aid for Nashville State Technical Institute for over 1 years before his appointment to TSAC. He has served on the Executive Board of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in various positions and si a member of the Legislative Relations Committee. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators where he serves as Chair of the Governmental Relations Committee. He is a member and Past President of the National Association of State Student Grant and Adi Programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lipscomb University and holds a Master of Science ni Teaching degree from Middle Tennessee
State University.

 

 

 

 

Chris Meadows - Member

Chris Meadows has been a Property & Casualty Insurance Professional for thirty-four years, specializing in the Healthcare, Education, Restaurant, Technology, Financial Institution and Manufacturing Industries.  Meadows currently serves as Senior Vice President of USI Insurance Services, heading up their Healthcare Practice Group for Tennessee. Mr. Meadows graduated Cum Laude with Honors from the University of Georgia with a BBA degree in Management. He has served on the boards of Boys & Girls Club, Better Business Bureau, Operation Andrew Group, Willis National Healthcare Practice, Willis Healthcare Advisory Board, Nashville Sports Council and is active in his church. His interests include golf, hiking, civic involvement, travel, reading and being a grandfather of two.

 

 

 

 

Amy Rankin - Member

Amy has over fifteen years’ experience in the field of education as an elementary teacher and school counselor.  She now enjoys her role as a homeschool educator infusing faith with learning what is good, true, and beautiful.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Richmond and holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University.  Amy is passionate about giving back and making a difference in her community.  She was the co-founder of the Hoover Hope Foundation for twelve years, raising over $750k to help families whose lives were impacted by pediatric cancer.  Amy served on the board for Nashville Speaks, advocating for children and families who are impacted by cleft lip and palate. She and her husband Michael have three children and are blessed by the miracle of adoption. Amy enjoys learning alongside her girls, reading, being outdoors, spending time on the lake with family and creating through art and photography.  Amy is passionate about education and honored to be part of the Williamson College community.  She and her husband serve and attend Fellowship Nashville.   

 

 

 

 

Ed Rose – Treasurer

Ed has an extensive background in accounting and finance, including work with Federal and State agencies regarding tax, Medicare, and Medicaid accounting, reporting, and audit issues. Since 2006, he has served at Community Healthcare Systems as Senior Director in a hospital company with 100+ hospitals nationwide. He holds a B.A. in accounting from Kansas Wesleyan University and MBA from the University of Kansas. Since the late 1980’s, Mr. Rose has used his skillset by participating in numerous mission trips across the globe, conducting both relief and development work. He is an active member of Church of the City in Franklin, TN and has a passion for “being part of what God is doing,” whatever that looks like in each season.

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Smith - Member

Mary’s professional experience spans small business, corporate strategy, information technology and public service. She holds a B.S in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an MBA in Leadership & Ethics from John Brown University. Most recently, she has taken her corporate and business skills to the public sector where she proudly represents District 5 (the Arrington and Nolensville area) as a Williamson County Commissioner. She has been married to her husband, Wade, since 2000. They have three children, a son-in-law, and a precious grandson that all live in the Williamson County area. She is an active member of LifePoint-College Grove Church and is incredibly excited about this opportunity to serve theWilliamson College Community.

 

 

 

Dimeta Smith Knight – Member

Dimeta has over 20 years of financial accounting, auditing, tax preparation and consulting experience, including C-suite level. Previous roles include Internal Auditor, Financial Systems Implementation Consultant and Chief Financial Officer. Dimeta is currently the Chief Executive Officer and President of Dimeta Smith, CPA, LLC, an accounting and consulting firm located in Nashville, TN while facilitating seminars and workshops for various organizations, including the Small Business Administration, Pathway Women’s Business Center and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Dimeta received her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in Accounting from Tennessee State University and Master of Accountancy Degree from Belmont University. Her current civic involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Respite Coalition, West End Homes Foundation and New Leaders Council.  She was selected a 2018 Woman of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal. She received the Rising Star Award presented by the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and the Power Moves Award in Finance presented by PK Williams Enterprises. A native of Nashville, Dimeta enjoys volunteering in the community; mentoring young people; and spending time with her family.

 

 

 

Bob Upton - Member

Bob is a native of Cadiz, Kentucky and a 1977 graduate of Murray State University with a degree in Construction Technology.  Bob's 45 year career in the construction industry has included thirty-seven years in the Middle Tennessee area.  The last twenty three years were spent with T. W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. in various roles including Senior Project Manager, Contracts Manager and Vice President of Business Development.  While at Frierson Bob was a member of the Executive Management Committee.  Bob held active memberships and leadership roles in a number of industry associations and Chambers of Commerce in Tennessee and Alabama during his career. Bob has been married to Meg since 2009 and they are active members of The Church at West Franklin, a regional campus of Brentwood Baptist Church.

 

Marlene Vergara - Member

Marlene Vergara is enjoying retirement after a successful and very rewarding career as a bilingual school social worker with Franklin Special School District, primarily working with the Pre-K program. She obtained her BSW from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and her LSSW from the University of Tennessee. Marlene is originally from Chile and moved to Canada as a teenager where she completed her education. Moved to California in 1986 and then to middle Tennessee in 1993. She has a passion for community involvement where she participated in the Big Backpack Giveaway’s organizing committee for several years (providing backpacks and school supplies to anyone in the community who needs it). She’s currently active with The Well (a food pantry) in Spring Hill; MUM (Maury United Ministries) in Columbia, and is an active member of Connection Church in Columbia, TN. She has participated in several international mission trips to Chile, Nicaragua and Guatemala as the trip’s translator. Marlene enjoys spending time cooking and playing board games with her 2 adult daughters, sons-in-law & grandchildren.

 

 

 

Derek Webster - Member

Dr. Derek Webster is President of Missions Door, a global missions organization with a vision for healthy local churches through local multipliers everywhere. He is the founder of Wenwyn LLC, an organization helping leaders navigate the crossroads of leadership and culture. With over three decades in leadership and cultural engagement, Derek serves as an advisor for the Global Strategy Forum, a Christian think tank initiative of the World Evangelical Alliance. His books have been endorsed by Dr. Craig Ott, Dr. Scot McKnight, Dave Ferguson, Dr. Eric Bryant, and other global leaders. He is featured on podcasts and radio programs, including Apollos Watered, Ancient Faith, The Post-Christian Podcast and Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand. Derek speaks globally to leaders of all contexts at various conferences and events. When he’s not spending time with his grandchildren, you can find Derek cycling or enjoying music.