Members of the Class of 2011 are, front row, from left: Rob Hazard, Tiffany Cheuvront, Susan Earl, Michelle Contich, Mike Harris, Steve Smith, Brit Boatright, and Doug Brooks. Back row, from left: Ben Claybaker, Cole Hodges, Jeremiah Pyron, Kimber Barton,

Brentwood Home Page news reports
The Leadership Brentwood Class of 2011 class kicked off its year with a retreat Aug. 20-21 at Deer Run Retreat Center. The class includes a barefoot waterskier, a Disney aficianado, and a former Opryland USA Rhino-pot-a-ma-saurus. And yes, they are leaders in the business, public and non-profit communities too.

The retreat was planned by graduates of the Leadership program, which is sponsored by the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber Foundation. Foundation Administrator Lynn Tucker, attorney Martha Allard,  Greg Lemon of Kraft Enterprise Systems LLC, and Vicki Smith of Nissan Americas organized the two-day event.

The retreat was facilitated by Nancy Reece, The Human Capital Group, and Cindi Parmenter, president of the BCS Chamber. Mayor Betsy Crossley welcomed the group with her gourmet presentation of bananas foster during the evening festivities. Presenting sponsor for the Class of 2011 is Kraft CPAs. Sponsors include the City of Brentwood, Brentwood Noon Rotary, BancorpSouth and many of the Leadership Brentwood Alumni.

The class members are:

Kimber Barton
Kimber grew up in Clarksville, Tenn., and graduated from Murray State University in 1981 with a degree in finance.  He spent 14 years as an account manager with UCAR Carbon Co., selling to the automotive industry, and then entered financial services in 1995.  He achieved the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1999 and runs his business as an independent financial advisor, locally affiliated with the Wilson Financial Group in Brentwood.  Kimber also holds the designations of ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) and AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary). 

He has spoken regularly to various groups about the importance of financial planning and has conducted Continuing Education workshops for CPAs on a variety of business planning topics.  From 2004 to 2007, as a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, he chaired their Tennessee American Business Ethics Awards, an annual program recognizing local businesses and benefiting Character Counts! Nashville.   

Kimber is currently a board member for the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, where he has served as chairman of the Small Business Roundtable and the Golf Classic, and is currently a member of the New Member Engagement Committee.  

Kimber has been married to Cheri for 22 years; they have two daughters: Diana, 18, and Chrissy, 15.

Favorite quote:  “The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.” – Vaclav Havel

Interesting fact:   Kimber and his wife met on an airplane en route from Pittsburgh to Knoxville on April Fools Day 1987 – to date, his only truly positive experience associated with air travel.

Brit Boatright
Brit is the Metropolitan Bank President at FirstBank, a $2 billion dollar asset community bank, and he has responsibility for all banking activities in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga and the recently opened office in Maryland Farms.  Brit graduated from high school in Illinois and from The University of Mississippi, cum laude and on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll.  Brit has worked in banking since 1995, serving at both Compass Bank and AmSouth Bank before moving to FirstBank.

Brit is a current member of the Middle Tennessee CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member of the Real Estate Institute) and has served as its president and treasurer.  He is a current board member of the Nashville Downtown Partnership and the Metro Nashville Public Schools Business, Marketing and IT Partnership Council.  In the past, he has been active in Junior Achievement and with Leadership 2000 Desoto County.

Brit and his wife, Sherri, have lived in Brentwood since 2001 and have two boys currently attending Brentwood Academy.

Favorite quote: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Interesting fact:  Brit restored his first car from the scrap heap: a 1974 Nissan 260Z.

Doug Brooks
Doug has lived in Brentwood for 15 years, but he was raised in Indiana.  One year after high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he spent four years, mostly at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala.  While in the Air Force, he started attending evening college classes on campus.

After a few moves, Doug ended up in Louisville, Ky., where he began his career in the insurance industry in 1989.  After six successful years as a producer, he was promoted to sales management and assigned to the Nashville sales team in July 1995.  In his new position, he took his team from last place in its division to first place in two years.  To set a good example for his children, he returned to college and obtained his bachelor of science degree in 2001 at the age of 43. 

In 2002, he left the corporate world and joined an independent insurance agency, where he has been ever since. That same year, he also obtained his real estate license and began acquiring rental properties and rehabbing homes for resale, which he continues to do when the opportunity arises.

Doug has been active in Brentwood Civitan Baseball for about a decade and has been both a coach and the League Commissioner.

Doug and his wife, Lynn, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.  The Brooks have one son, a senior, and one daughter, a junior, both at Brentwood High School.  

Favorite quote:  “Most folks area about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” –  Abraham Lincoln

Interesting fact:  Doug has been told that he is part Cherokee Indian.

 Tiffany Cheuvront
Tiffany joined the Williamson County Association of Realtors (WCAR) in May of 2010 as its Executive Vice President of Operations.  Tiffany has extensive experience in leading non-profit organizations and has worked at the national, state and regional levels representing those organizations.  Tiffany has been a strong advocate in legislative and government matters for the nonprofits she has represented and has experience in public speaking and in drafting and delivering testimony to Committees of Congress and the Tennessee State Legislature.  Currently, Tiffany oversees WCAR’s internal and external operations and aims to provide a more rewarding and valuable member experience.

Tiffany graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in political science and received her master’s degree in public administration and policy from the University of Baltimore in 2006.

She is the leader of Women’s Ministry Programming at her church, The Journey, which she helped to found five years ago. She enjoys baking, outdoor activities, adventure sports and running.

Tiffany has been married for 15 years and has two young children. 

Favorite quote:  “Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might never have imagined.” – Deepak Chopra

Interesting fact:  She began her career as a Rhino-pot-a-ma-saurus at her first job at Opryland.

Benjamin k. Claybaker
Raised in southern Arkansas, Ben graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1999 with a B.A. in finance. After working for Arkansas Congressman Jay Dickey in Washington, D.C., as a legislative correspondent, Ben moved to Austin, Texas, in 2001 to help run a successful lieutenant governor campaign for Land Commissioner David Dewhurst. While in Austin, Ben served within the Texas public education system by teaching business communication and coaching varsity baseball and football at Stony Point High School.

In the summer of 2004, Ben accepted an offer from the Bush-Cheney campaign to return to Washington, D.C., as the political coordinator for the Southwestern states. After the campaign, Ben served the White House as a policy analyst for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, focusing on state and local policy dealing with marijuana and methamphetamine.

Ben moved to Nashville in 2006 to be the general manager and broker for Crye-Leike’s Property Management Division. After bringing the department into the black after only a year, Ben focused on building the division’s capacity for growth by restructuring the staff, streamlining the work and reevaluating procedures and processes. The division now manages properties for over 300 investors and generates over $1 million annually.

Ben is an active leader in the community as a member of the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, Greater Nashville Area Realtors, and Rotary Club of Brentwood. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are also involved with various local nonprofits, chairing and supporting fundraising events for organizations such as the Ordinary Hero Foundation and Mercy Ministries.

Ben and Elizabeth have one son, Jackson, and live in south Nashville.

Favorite quote:  “What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul.”  – Matthew 16:25
Interesting facts:  He’s an avid hunter.  He secretly wants to be a cattle rancher.  And he’s a political junkie.

Michelle Contich
Michelle is the principal at Lipscomb Elementary School.  Michelle has served in the field of education for more than 21 years.

Michelle received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Florida.  She received her Education Specialist certification from the Nova Southeastern University in 1997.  In the field of education, Michelle has worked both in the class room and in administration.  She began her career as an elementary school teacher in 1990 and has taught kindergarten, second grade and third grade.  She served as the Williamson County Schools’ assessment director and professional development director.  She then became the principal at Oak View School, then the principal at Pinewood School before assuming her current role.

Michelle has been very active outside her office.  She was accepted and participated in the National Staff Development Council Academy 2008, and her presentation was accepted for the National Staff Development Council.  She has presented workshops for both the Williamson County Schools and the Tennessee State Department.  She has also had articles published in The Journal of Staff Development, The Assessment Standard and The Mailbox Magazine.

Michelle also finds time to volunteer around town.  She’s a religious education teacher and a Liturgy teacher at her church.  She’s a member of the Tennessee and National Education Associations and a former member of the Frist Center Education Board.

Favorite quote: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

Interesting fact:  Michelle has spent many summers in the Bahamas staying on the boat that she docked there.

Susan Earl
Susan is currently the Library Director for the City of Brentwood Library and has over 24 years’ experience in information and library science.  Susan was born in Kentucky but grew up in Knoxville, Tenn.  She attended UT Knoxville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a major in English literature and a minor in library science.  She attended graduate school at UT Knoxville on a full scholarship and earned a master’s degree in library and information science.  After graduate school, she eventually moved to Ohio and started her library career undertaking many responsibilities, including driving the bookmobile (for which she earned a commercial driver’s license), creating newsletters and coordinating an adult literacy program. 

 Susan comes to the Brentwood Library from the Nashville Public Library, where she served as the main library administrator for seven years and where, among many accomplishments, she created a special collections center focusing on oral history and digital collections.  Previously, she worked in several different capacities over more than 10 years at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library in Atlanta, Ga.

 Susan is involved in many professional organizations, including the Tennessee Library Association, where she has served as both president-elect and president.  She’s also a past president of the Nashville Area Libraries Alliance and is involved with Tenn-Share, the Tennessee Advisory Council for Libraries and the American Library Association.

Susan lives in Nashville.

Favorite quote:  “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Interesting fact:  Susan has walked two marathons (26.2 miles) and three half-marathons (13.1 miles).

Richard Flohr
Richard grew up in Nashville, and, after completing high school, went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with bachelor of arts degrees – first in 1974 with a B.A. in psychology and then in 1980 with a B.A. in geology.  He followed a career in geology, working predominantly in environmental engineering.  After a number of years in that field, he returned to school, earning an MBA degree from Middle Tennessee State University.  He went back to school to help complete a career change: For the past 10+ years, he has served in personal financial planning and investments, predominantly at Kraft Asset Management, LLC, a wealth management affiliate of KraftCPAs, PLLC. During this time, he received his Certified Financial Planner ™ certification.  

Richard is married to Pam Flohr, who works as a clinical pharmacist at Baptist Hospital.  They have two adopted children: Christy, 37, teaches fifth grade, and Nicholas, 11, will soon begin the sixth grade at Brentwood Academy. Richard and Pam spend considerable time away from work and family leading an orphan care ministry, Heart for Children Ministry, at their church, Christ Presbyterian Church.

Favorite quote:  “It is not the critic who counts….The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who actually strive(s) to do the deeds; who know(s) the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause….” –  Theodore Roosevelt

Interesting fact:  He once chased a band of gypsies through the streets of Moscow.

Michael (mike) e. Harris
Mike is a native Tennessean.  He grew up in the Donelson area of Nashville, where he graduated from McGavock High School.  Mike lived in Jackson, Tenn., for 28 years before returning to the Nashville area to become the City of Brentwood’s first Director of Engineering in 2006.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a master of science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Mike is a state-licensed Professional Engineer, a graduate of Leadership Jackson, and has served on a number boards, including Leadership University, the Jackson YMCA and the Jackson Rotary Club.  His hobbies include running, riding motorcycles and tinkering on just about anything.

Mike has two daughters: Ashley, 26, and Paige, 21.

Favorite quote: “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein

Interesting fact:  Mike once jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

 Rob Hazard
Rob is an attorney and certified public accountant who practices at the law firm of Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin, PLLC, in Nashville. Rob’s practice is dedicated to estate planning, probate administration and business planning.  Prior to practicing law, Rob worked as a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP, where he provided advisory services to business organizations.  Rob received his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he obtained a dual concentration in taxation and secured transactions.  Rob received an M.B.A. in finance from Middle Tennessee State University, and he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in economics, summa cum laude.

Rob is a member of many organizations, including the Tennessee Bar Association, the Nashville Bar Association and the Tennessee Society of CPAs.  He’s also a volunteer for the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.  He also played college baseball for the Maryville College Fighting Scots (1998-1999) and played for the Motlow State Bucks Baseball team, which was the 2000 NJCAA Runner-up National Champions.

A native of Tullahoma, Rob lives in Brentwood with his wife, Becca, and their two young children, ages 18 months and 4 months.

Favorite quote: “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.” – Yogi Berra

Interesting fact:  Rob lived and worked in New York City for a year.  

 Cole Hodges
Cole is a native of Jackson, Tenn.  He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he majored in banking and finance and made the Dean’s List, the Chancellor’s Honor Roll and was an officer of Sigma Pi Epsilon Fraternity.  He is also a graduate of The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending. 

Cole currently works as the assistant vice president of Commercial Loans for BancorpSouth.  Cole has worked for BancorpSouth in various capacities since his early days at college and was named a branch manager at the age of 24.

He has been involved with a variety of organizations, including the Tennessee Home Builders Association and the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce.  Cole has been active in the Young Professionals Council, where he has served on the steering committee and is currently the Vice Chair.  Cole has also been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

Cole and his wife, Ashley, have been married for six years and have two daughters:  Meg, 20 months, and Mary Clark, who is due any day now. 

Favorite quote: “Do Right. Do your best. Treat others as you want to be treated.” – Lou Holtz

Interesting fact:  He was born on Feb. 17, sharing a birthday with Michael Jordan, Jim Brown, Larry the Cable Guy, and Paris Hilton.

Trent Klingensmith
Trent has served as president of Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee since March 2007.  He first joined JA as executive vice president in 2005 after a career switch that aligned with his favorite job: being a dad.  In his leadership role, Trent focuses on making a positive impact on the lives of young people in the Middle Tennessee area.  He has successfully encouraged business and community involvement in JA’s mission through volunteerism, event participation and funding support.

Trent is a graduate of Central Missouri State University with a B.S. in marketing.  Prior to his transition to the nonprofit sector, Trent was the regional sales manager for Standard Register Company, where his career in the print business began in 1987. During the years, he was promoted numerous times and recognized as a leader within the company.
Trent’s passion for making this community a great place to live and work, and especially for creating opportunities for young people, has led him to become involved in various community organizations, such as Rotary, the Chambers of Commerce for Nashville and Brentwood Cool Springs, Brentwood Blaze Football and T3 Council.

Trent is married to Leah and they have two active sons: Robin, 14, and Brett, 10.

Favorite quote:  “If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time!” – Trent’s father, Jed H. Klingensmith

Interesting fact:  Since his father was in the military, Trent attended 16 different schools and lived in 12 different homes before his high school graduation. 

 Jeremiah Pyron
Jeremiah has called Middle Tennessee home since 2000.  He graduated from MTSU in 2002 with a degree in digital media communication and then began his career in video production.  He spent a number of years with CMT before moving into business sales with Beacon Technologies.  In 2010 he joined Core BTS, where he currently consults with medium- to large-sized businesses to help them develop efficient technology solutions.  
Jeremiah grew up in Tuscaloosa and is an avid Alabama football fan – amidst a sea of orange here in Middle Tennessee.  When he’s not busy watching Alabama football games, he spends his free time getting involved in the community.  He is currently active with Nashville Junior Chamber, Hands on Nashville and Habitat for Humanity.  Currently he is the race course chair for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which takes place on October 9 in Brentwood.  His passions include golf, tennis, running and anything that involves being outdoors.  

Jeremiah lives in Brentwood.

Favorite quote:  “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11

Interesting fact:  Jeremiah was a tour guide on Lake Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park in college.

 Steve Smith
Steve has served in Christian ministry his entire career.  His passion and gifts in television and media production, combined with his love for the church, resulted in his commitment to serve in church communications.  He majored in communications with an emphasis in broadcasting and film at Mercer University.  Following his earlier role as a television producer at his home church in Savannah, Ga., Steve served for 13 years at First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla.  It was there that he was ordained as a minister and met and married his wife, Brandi.  It was also during his time in Orlando that he was promoted to the head of the Communications Department with a staff of 18. 

In 2002 Steve returned to school to earn his master of arts degree in corporate communication and technology at Rollins College.  Since January of 2008, Steve has served as the communications minister at Brentwood Baptist Church, leading a team of talented professionals in communications, marketing and public relations, Internet strategies, graphic design and media production.

Steve and Brandi have two children, Ellie, 10, and Olivia, 6.  They live in Franklin.

Favorite quote:  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

 Interesting fact:  Steve is a barefoot water-skier.

Randy Whitman
Randy is a native of Nashville, graduating from Hume-Fogg High School.  He attended Harding University, where he received dual degrees in ministry and math.  Randy spent six years ministering to teens and families before transitioning to Peachtree Planning. Now is his fifth year as an advisor, Randy uses his unique relational skills to help his clients make intelligent, informed decisions about their money so that they can lead exactly the kind of life they desire to lead.  

Randy is active in his church community and enjoys serving those around him.  In his leisure, he enjoys visiting Walt Disney World as often as possible.

Randy and his wife, Beth, have two daughters: Abby, 6, and Ainsley, 4. 

Favorite quote: “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Interesting fact:  Randy and his family have visited three different Disney parks in the past year – Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland Park in California, and Disneyland Paris in France – and already have the next trip booked for November.