Orange Grove announced its appointment of Michael Ingram, Gary Napolitan, Stephen T. Perry and Judy Hoette to the center’s board of directors. 

Michael Ingram is executive senior advisor at Tennessee Valley Authority, where he manages a variety of high visibility and high impact projects and special assignments, and counsels senior executives on significant technical, business, or political issues affecting TVA. He has over twenty-four years with TVA, working in senior management, technology leadership, and power system engineering and design. He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University, and a master of science in engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Tennessee.  Ingram is the only two-time recipient of TVA’s Engineer of the Year Award for 2001 and 2004. 

Gary Napolitan is a senior partner at Leitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan, PLLC.  He is an AV-rated trial attorney with over 35 years experience, specializing in catastrophic claims involving the trucking industry, product manufacturers, premises owner and workers’ compensation defense.  His career trial results are recognized by election into the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.  He is a Past President of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association and listed in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty of personal injury litigation. Napolitan is a Fellow in the Chattanooga Bar Association, and Past President of the Chattanooga Civitan Club.  He received abachelor of science from the University of Tennessee and a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law. 

Stephen T. Perry is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor of business administration in accounting.  He is a certified public accountant, and currently serves as chief financial officer at Blood Assurance.  His past board affiliations include Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee, Faces: The National Craniofacial Association, Optimist Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee Society of CPAs, Foundation Homes, Inc., Assisted Living Corporation and Nara Foundation, Inc.  He currently serves on the board of Goodwill Industries and the Blood Assurance Foundation. 

Orange Grove parent, Judy Hoette, received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Alabama, and became involved in the special needs community after the birth of her daughter who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. She was later employed by Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, working with all segments of populations facing a multitude of barriers to become fully included in the community.   With more than 30 years of board experience, Ms. Hoette has devoted her time to Alabama State ARC, Dothan/Houston County (Alabama ARC), Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities, Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center, and Dothan City Schools Department of Special Education Advocacy.  Her community involvement also includes the Vaughn-Blumberg Center, Infant Stimulation Program (Organized Parent Network); Alabama Partners in Policymaking Training Division; and Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. Ms.  Hoette also received the Governor’s Recognition Award for implementing a program which addressed the needs of persons facing barriers to entering the workforce and retaining employment.