UT System will revamp public outreach programs

Effective October 1, 2026, the UT Institute for Public Service (IPS) will merge with the Division of Government Relations, Advocacy and Economic Development to form the Division of Government Relations, Economic Development and Public Service (GEPS).

The alignment follows the announced fall retirement of Herb Byrd, system vice president for IPS. A national search for the next IPS vice president will launch in August following stakeholder listening sessions, and the appointment of an interim leader to ensure continuity during the transition.

Carey Whitworth

Carey Whitworth will serve as senior vice president of GEPS, pending board approval. In this role, she will lead divisional strategy, align efforts with UT System priorities and drive measurable outcomes that support the university and the state. Whitworth has represented the university in Nashville and at the federal level to advocate for UT programs.

A two-time graduate of the university, she was a Torchbearer and holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Herb Byrd to retire as UT vice president

Herb Byrd III

Herb Byrd Ph.D., vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service (IPS), will retire September 30, 2026, following 40 years of dedicated service to the university and the state.

A three-time UT alumnus, Byrd began his career with UT Extension, serving nearly three decades in communities across Tennessee as a 4-H agent, county director and leader in agricultural and resource development. He later advanced to leadership roles within IPS and was named vice president in 2016 after serving in an interim capacity beginning in 2014.

All Star Outfitters names Chad Culver as VP of sales

Chad Culver

All Star Outfitters, a Knoxville-based leader in event merchandising, has appointed Chad Culver as vice president of sales. In this role, Culver will lead the company’s national event sales strategy, drive revenue growth, and expand key partnerships across event and enterprise channels.

Culver brings over 20 years of experience in sales leadership, with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering sustained revenue growth. Prior to joining All Star Outfitters, he served for 10 years as senior director of the Sports Commission and Convention Sales at Visit Knoxville.

President Mike Martinez said Culver brings “strategic vision, relationship-first mindset, and deep industry expertise” to All Star Outfitters.

All Star Outfitters manages merchandising operations for more than 1.2 million athletes and attendees each year across the country, partnering with top athletic and entertainment organizations. Their work in high-energy, high-volume environments positions them to be the nation’s leader in onsite retail sales.

Bailey Ly promoted at MoxCar

Bailey Ly

Bailey Ly has been promoted to account executive at MoxCar Marketing + Communications. Ly will continue to develop and implement public relations and marketing strategies for a variety of clients.

“Bailey has thrived in serving clients and being in the community, growing an impressive combination of skills and savvy to help clients reach their marketing and communications goals,” MoxCar CEO Lauren Miller said. “She tackles new tasks and challenges with enthusiasm and is appreciated for her creativity, communication, diligence and excellent project delivery by our team and clients alike.”

Ly joined MoxCar as an account associate in 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A native of Memphis, Ly is a foodie who loves to visit new restaurants and share her Lao and Vietnamese cultures with others by cooking and through food photography.

MoxCar is growing and seeking qualified candidates for account executive and account associate positions, Miller said. Learn more at www.moxcar.com.

In Memoriam

Bob Hillman

Robert “Bob” Hillman, 84, of Knoxville, passed away at home on April 30, 2026. Bob spent his career in the Knoxville construction industry. After obtaining a degree in civil engineering from the University of North Dakota in 1960, he worked as an on-site construction manager for Firestone.

In 1968, he and wife Sharron moved with three young boys to Knoxville, Tennessee. He recalled Bearden High School was finishing up, the last building on Kingston Pike was the new Kmart and Interstate 40/75 ended at what is now the West Hills exit.

Bob was involved in dozens of projects over the decades, but was most proud of the time he spent as a project engineer with Rentenbach Engineering Co. There, he managed the construction of the West Town Mall, which opened in 1972, and the construction of the south upper deck of Neyland Stadium, which added 8,000 seats, and filled in the horseshoe in 1976.

Later, he owned and operated his own construction company, building shopping centers, malls, apartment buildings, gas stations and more, supporting the rapidly growing city. During this time his company also built structures in support of the 1982 World’s Fair. He spent the last years of his career as a construction consultant with Professional Construction Consultants (PC2), partnering with his long-time colleague and friend, Marv House, and working with bonding companies to manage the completion of struggling construction projects. Services were held on May 9 at Berry Highland Memorial. Full obituary is here.

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