Second Harvest gets new CEO, introduces ‘Harvesting Hope’

Rachael Oberman Ellis is the new CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. She steps into the job held for 33 years by Elaine Streno.

Second Harvest met the press on June 2, 2026, at the farm of Knox County Commissioner Adam Thompson to announce Ellis’ promotion and to launch a new initiative, “Harvesting Hope.”

Streno is legendary. She has grown the local Second Harvest program to a new warehouse in Blount County and a partnership with Feeding America. Last year, Second Harvest distributed more than 27.3 million pounds of food across an 18-county service area through multiple hunger-relief programs and 780+ community partners.

But Streno did not do it alone. She had a strong board and staff, including Rachael Ellis.

Ellis graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2002 with a degree in communications, public relations. While in college she was a club manager for Aramark. She coordinated community partnerships for Visit Knoxville for seven years, joining Second Harvest in 2013. She advanced rapidly, becoming director of development in 2019 and chief operating officer in March 2025.

Harvesting Hope is a new initiative of Second Harvest of East Tennessee focused on increasing access to fresh, locally grown food while strengthening the local agricultural community.

“By purchasing directly from East Tennessee farms, we support the region’s agricultural economy, strengthen the local food system, and ensure families across our 18-county service area have access to high-quality, locally sourced food,” Ellis said.

Lamplighters in TN House Chamber. Rep. Sam McKenzie is at right.

McKenzie brings Lamplighters to Nashville

While some state legislatures, including Tennessee, produced gerrymandered congressional maps that reduced or abolished majority Black districts, state Rep. Sam McKenzie took fifth-grade students from Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy to Nashville to learn about the legislature.

McKenzie is an optimist. The students were chaperoned by Terry Mosley and Michael Dorsey, who co-chair the Knoxville division of the Omega Psi Phi Lamplighters.

The Lamplighters mission is to “work with and establish productive relationships with young men and equip them with high leadership and academic skills” and to “offer support, mentorship and guidance while assisting them in their transformation into manhood.”

The students toured the Capitol including the State Museum, then reconvened in the House Chamber for a mock session, where the students could introduce, debate and vote on legislation.

Next, the group toured Fisk University, then they visited the Tennessee Titans home office and practice field, where McKenzie’s brother, Reggie, who played football at Tennessee and in the NFL, is a vice president. Reggie McKenzie told the students about various career opportunities that are available with the Titans.

Amie Cohorst joins United Way

Amie Cohorst and her daughter work in the garden at South Knox Elementary School.

Amie Cohorst has joined the United Way of Greater Knoxville as the director of philanthropy and community engagement.

“Some days remind you why community matters,” she wrote on social media.

“I had the privilege of volunteering at South Knox Elementary last week alongside an incredible group of organizations – Beardsley Community Farm, The Boys & Girls Club and UT Athletics – all coming together with the Garden Coalition to make a difference for students and families in our community.

“But the best part? I got to surprise my daughter and volunteer alongside her. Watching her see firsthand what it means to show up for others – that’s a moment I’ll carry with me.

“Thank you to every organization and individual who gave their time and energy. This is what it looks like when a community comes together.”

Norris to retire as pharmacy director at Fort Sanders Regional

Christopher Norris

Christopher Norris Pharm.D. is retiring as director of pharmacy at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center effective November 5, 2026. Norris has been in Knoxville and at the hospital since 1995 and calls it something rare: “A great place to live combined with work that was deeply meaningful. Over the past 30+ years, and especially the last 17 years in a leadership role, I have had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented clinicians, leaders and partners who are unwavering in their commitment to putting patients first. …

“As I look ahead, I do so with great confidence in the future of pharmacy services at Fort Sanders and across Covenant Health. There is strong leadership in place, meaningful momentum, and exciting work still to come.”

Yes, Director Norris is recruiting with this post – looking for a top-notch replacement.

Notes & quotes

Jesse Feld, new CEO of the Arnstein Jewish Community Center (AJCC), will be welcomed on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 3-5 p.m. on the Orwitz Room Terrace. RSVP appreciated.

Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee (SMQ) will host more than 200 unique quilts June 19-20 at the Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $10; for a two-day pass, $15; and free for children under age 12. The Expo Center has free parking and is accessible to the disabled.

2026 Annual MLK Parade/March Juneteenth Celebration, parade lineup 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, step off 10 a.m. Chilhowee Park, Gate 13; Juneteenth Celebration, Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2089 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Terra Madre – Women in Clay exhibition is opening at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, on Friday, June 5, from 5-9 p.m. This free gathering with the exhibiting artists will feature live music by Nick Marlow. The exhibit will be on display through June 26. Gallery hours are M-F 9-5.

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. Info here. Donate here.  

Inskip Lions Club invites interested people to an informal membership drive to learn the local and international service projects the club supports on Monday, June 8, from 5-7 p.m.  at The Inskip Lions Clubhouse on 4701 High School Road right beside Inskip Elementary School. Pizza and ice cream from the Rusty Wallace Ice Cream truck!

Quote: “Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it.” – G.K. Chesterton, The Man Who Was Thursday, 1908

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