United Way of Greater Knoxville released its 2025 Annual Report last week, the first full year under the leadership of Chrystal Armstrong Brown, president and CEO. Greg and Kim Gheen were co-chairs of the 2025 campaign.

Brown posted: Our 2025 campaign theme was “United We Can.” And United, we did:

  • 118 nonprofit partners funded by grants, together serving 429,000 people
  • $8.3 million raised by this community to support their work; with $18 million+ total invested in the nonprofit sector and our community through UWGK
  • 6,400+ students supported in 16 Community Schools
  • Almost 900 families successfully navigating the journey out of poverty to self sufficiency
  • More than 5,500 volunteers and 13,000 volunteer engagements coordinated, with a value of almost $1 million in time donated and tracked across our region.

Mike Keith, the Voice of the Vols, and Jim Atchley, Knoxville market president of First Horizon, are the 2026 campaign co-chairs. Their goal is $9 million.

Mike Keith, Chrystal Armstrong Brown and Jim Atchley at the United Way annual meeting.

 

Enjoying the event: Jaime Bagwell, Jim Atchley and Brooke Lawson, all with First Horizon.

 

Frank Rothermel and George Wallace – both serve on United Way of Greater Knoxville’s board of directors

First Century Bank opens Farragut branch

Farragut Mayor Ron Williams, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and others welcomed First Century Bank to Farragut on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting at the new branch at 130 Concord Road.

Eleanor Yoakum and Rob Barger at the new Farragut branch of First Century Bank.

With the opening, the family-owned bank has 10 branches across Knox, Claiborne, Hancock, Union and Blount counties. The board chair is Eleanor Yoakum and the president/CEO is her son, Rob Barger, a third-generation bank leader.

“First Century has served East Tennessee for over 130 years. As a true community bank, we are proud to continue serving area families and businesses as we open our fourth branch in Knox County, and our first in Farragut,” said Barger.

“We recognize the importance of keeping it local.” … Open a new account with First Century and we’ll donate $50 in your name to one of six non-profits:

  • First Foundations Inc.
  • CADES – Adult Day Services
  • League of Angels
  • Farragut High School Education Foundation
  • Legacy Parks Foundation
  • Street Hope TN
Food City names two new district managers

Food City has promoted two store managers – Brad Holt and Eric Hozouri – to the role of district manager, where they will join the senior staff executive leadership team. They succeed Steven Jones, recently promoted to senior director of produce & floral operations, and Brian Hemminger, who was promoted to senior director of food service & Starbucks operations.

Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO, called Brad and Eric “exceptional mentors and leaders who set a strong example for their associates and for the company as a whole.”

Brad Holt

Brad Holt brings 30 years of experience, having served in multiple positions before becoming a store manager. Throughout his career, he has successfully led six Food City stores and spent several years serving as a back‑up district manager. Holt will oversee 11 stores within the company’s Knoxville Division, from Lenoir City to Cookeville.

He began his career at Food City in 1996 and advanced to store manager in 2004. Brad serves on the Chamber of Commerce of Cookeville. He was a finalist for the Food Industry Association’s store manager of the year in 2023. In 2025, he received Food City’s highest honor – the Jack C. Smith store manager of the year award.

Holt earned an associate degree in applied science from Roane State Community College. He and his wife, Christy, live in Cookeville and have two children.

Eric Hozouri

Eric Hozouri began his career at just 16, advancing from courtesy clerk and cashier to assistant store manager and eventually store manager. He joined the Food City team in 2014 through an acquisition, continuing to serve as a store manager before moving into his most recent role as special projects manager.

Hozouri now will serve as a district manager for the Chattanooga Division, overseeing 12 stores spanning from the Greater Chattanooga area to Winchester, Tennessee. He serves on the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Bradley Sunrise Rotary Club. Over the years, he has supported numerous local organizations, including United Way of the Ocoee Region and Greater Cleveland Soccer Association.

Eric resides in Cleveland, Tennessee, with his wife, Sofia. They have four daughters.

Tammy Baumgardner contributed information and quotes for this report.

Notes & Quotes

Knoxville City Council members will hold an informal Meet & Greet on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 8:30-10 a.m. at Old Sevier Market, 906 Sevier Ave., Knoxville. This will be a casual time for citizens and city council members to talk and meet across all districts.

UT Board of Trustees will meet June 29-30, 2026, on the campus of UT Southern in Pulaski, Tennessee. The board’s annual meeting starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, and includes adoption of the budget, setting student fees, salaries, and a capital improvement plan. All public meetings will be webcast and archived. Info: Tennessee.edu. The full agenda for each meeting and related materials are available here.

The Knoxville Area Urban League’s largest community event – Shoes for School on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Covenant Health Park – will be bigger than ever and in a new location. Talk with a representative about how the event supports local students and involves a lot of community groups. Donate here.

Quote: “Sometimes, singing, dancing, a lot of jokes and a happy ending is really all you need,” observed Schmigadoon! winning producer Lorne Michaels, at the Tony Awards.

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