Tennessee Highway Patrol Major Stacey Heatherly has retired. Eleanor Yoakum posted a photo of the retirement party in Nashville. “So thrilled to attend the retirement party for THP Major Stacey Heatherly (March 3, 2026). I was there for her graduation from trooper school and now there for her retirement party. Thank you for your years of service and much happiness for the next chapter,” Yoakum wrote.

Heatherly busted a few glass ceilings at the THP. She was just the third female to make the rank of major. The first two were at her swearing in ceremony in April 2025. Stacey calls retired THP Majors Betty Blair and Cheryl Sanders her “mentors.”

Heatherly is a 27-year veteran of the THP, where she has served as the Knoxville District captain (she presided over the move from Kingston Pike to the new headquarters at Strawberry Plains) and as lieutenant over the Knoxville District Dignitary Protection. She was the first uniformed public information officer ever for THP (2009).

Funny story. The THP website says “Stacey is committed to God, her family and aggressive policing of the community that she leads.” But the sign in her office at Strawberry Plains read: “Loves God, Sweet Tea and the SEC.”

Tom King of KnoxTNToday has named her Our Town Hero twice. Those stories are here and here.

Eleanor Yoakum is herself a story. She grew up in Claiborne County, where she lives today with husband Bill Dunavant Jr. She chairs the board of First Century Bank where her son, Rob Barger, is president and CEO. Yoakum was state commissioner of personnel for Gov. Don Sundquist and was his chief-of-staff from 1996-2002. She has served on various state boards and commissions with appointments from Govs. Lamar Alexander through Bill Lee.

The bank, which started in Tazewell, Tennessee, in 1894 as Claiborne National Bank, has been a family business since Eleanor’s father, Glenn Yoakum, became president. Imagine young Eleanor tagging along with her dad to the bank, or over to the Yoakum Oil Co. which he established in 1952 to distribute Shell Oil products to five counties, or to the Banner Tobacco Warehouse where tanned farmers brought sheaves of tobacco to be graded and sold, or to the Tazewell Stock Barn. The last two businesses the Yoakum family purchased. All were profitable and anchored the business district of Tazewell.

Eleanor graduated from East Tennessee State University and was ready to take her dad’s job as board chair when he died in 1990.

In 1999, the bank celebrated “a century of service” and adopted its current name – First Century Bank – with locations in Tazewell, New Tazewell, Harrogate, Maynardville, Sneedville, Maryville and Knox County.

Eleanor still goes to work every day, either in Nashville or at one of the banks. In addition to son Rob, she has a daughter, Stephanie Barger Conner of Nashville, and five grandchildren.

She says the bank is more than bricks and mortar. “It is a family of people serving the community in a spirit that is unique and special to us. … Our family has been a part of this bank since 1936. It has been an honor and a tremendous responsibility.”

Ellie Kittrell is CEO of ET Community Design Center

Ellie Kittrell

The East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) has hired Ellie Kittrell as its new executive director. She succeeds Duane Grieve, who led the organization for the past eight years.

Kittrell brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently serving as vice president of advancement at United Way of Greater Knoxville and previously as co-founder and executive director of Muse Knoxville.

“What drew me to ETCDC is the organization’s unique ability to connect skilled volunteer architects, designers and planners with nonprofits and communities that need their expertise, along with the Community Collaborative’s work to ensure community voice guides thoughtful growth across our region,” she said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to deepen how our work supports the social sector and strengthens communities throughout East Tennessee.”

Building on more than five decades of community-centered design work, ETCDC looks forward to continued partnership and impact across East Tennessee.

Cynthia Moxley covered Grieve’s retirement party for her blog, The Blue Streak. See pictures here.

Erin Cogdill hired by The Trust Company

Erin Cogdill

The Trust Company of Tennessee has hired Erin Cogdill as a client service associate, based in the firm’s Knoxville office and supporting the trust team.

A native of Missoula, Montana, Cogdill earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee. She has experience in administrative roles in education and client service in the financial industry, supporting new account documentation and advising on retirement accounts, reporting and estate planning.

Founded in 1987 by Sharon J. Pryse and with offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, The Trust Company of Tennessee currently has more than $6 billion under management with 100 employees. Daniel Carter is president. Info here.

Information and quotes provided by The Trust Company. Photo by Charles Brooks Photography.

In Memoriam

Ronald Martin

Ronald B. Martin, a community leader in Knoxville, has died at age 72. He was also known as “Big O,” “Coach Ron” and “Gee-Gee” to his grandsons.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Mr. Martin was a proud graduate of Austin-East High School, Class of 1972, and later attended Roane State Community College. Afterward, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served his country with pride and dedication.

He was employed by Tennessee Valley Authority for 30 years before retiring. Never one to sit still, he continued serving his community through Mobile Meals, delivering food and friendship to area shut-ins.

He leaves his wife of 50 years, Gwendolyn Joyce Martin, and a host of family and friends. His full obituary is here.

 

Notes & Quotes
  • Oak Ridge Schools will host a districtwide Job Fair on Wednesday, April 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the School Administration Building, 304 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge. Info: www.ortn.edu/.
  • Halls BPA will meet at noon Tuesday, March 17, at Scared Ground Hospice House, 1120 Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville. Tickets are $18 (available at the door) and include lunch. Speakers are Matthew Cummings, who operates a combined glassblowing/ sculpture studio and brewery in Knoxville’s Old City, and Shanna Browning, community outreach manager for First Century Bank.
  • Farragut Art & Photography Show returns in April and town officials are looking for artists. The juried show will be Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, from 1-4 p.m. at the Farragut Community Center. Rules, prizes and more at townoffarragut.org/specialevents.

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