The UTC Alumni Board has elected eight new directors. The new directors are:
Eddrick Brooks ‘09, coordinator of club sports, UTC Campus Recreation
Mr. Brooks’ professional career in UTC campus recreation spans nine years, following his work in campus recreation as an undergraduate. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mr. Brooks worked for a year with UTC Safety and Risk Management before joining campus recreation.
Molly Hall Cooper ’94, director of veteran and corporate affairs, Erlanger Health System
Ms. Cooper has been at Erlanger since 2018. She graduated from UTC with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was a member of the University’s first women’s varsity soccer team. From 2007- 2008, she managed Andy Berke’s successful campaign for state senate. In 2013, she joined Mayor Berke’s staff following his election as Chattanooga mayor and spent five years as constituent services coordinator. She is a member of the UTC Chancellor’s Roundtable a volunteer with multiple community activities and organizations.
Todd Gaither ’89, managing partner, Tandem Financial Partners, CFP
Mr. Gaither, who has a bachelor’s degree from UTC in music education, has been managing partner at Tandem Financial since 2013. Originally from Rossville, Mr. Gaither and his family live in Chattanooga, where he is past president of the Chattanooga Hamilton Place Rotary Club, a board member of Bethel Bible Village and a long-time committee member of Young Life.
Rick Govan ‘69, retired
Upon graduation from then-University of Chattanooga, Mr. Govan served two years—one of which in Vietnam—with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Mr. Govan spent 30 years with Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company before retiring as vice president of sales and marketing of the Group Department. He later joined the bishop’s staff of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee and was deputy for Lay Ministry and Congregational Development for 13 years.
Mandy Holland Savage ’98 ’00, manager, investments and cash management, BlueCross BlueShield
Ms. Savage has more than 20 years of experience in investments and financial management has been with BCBST for the last 15 of those years. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from UTC.
Clare Marshall Smith ’74, residential real estate broker, Crye-Leike Realtors
Ms. Smith is a member of several professional real estate associations and has served on the parent governing bodies of Girls Preparatory School and McCallie School. While at UTC, she was a member of Chi Omega sorority, Mortar Board, the Moccasin yearbook staff and received a UC Foundation scholarship.
Rob Summitt ‘93, chief development officer, Shared Health
Mr. Summitt has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations, specifically in Medicare and Medicaid. He has held executive roles in managed care and has led business expansion initiatives in multiple states. Mr. Summitt graduated from UTC with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications.
Michael Sutton '93 '97, CFO and vice president of finance, CHI Memorial
Mr. Sutton's career with CHI Memorial spans 18 years and followed his graduation from UTC with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration.
The UTC Alumni Board of Directors are alumni who provide guidance, support and leadership for the University’s alumni programs and initiatives. The Board is representative of the UTC alumni population and members collaborate to advance the University and, ultimately, engage more alumni, potential students and community partners.
Jayne Arnold Holder ’74, assistant vice chancellor for alumni affairs at UTC, said she is enthusiastic about the new board selections. “Many dedicated alumni represent UTC across the region and around the country. But, the very heart of our alumni base is here in the Chattanooga community where UTC graduates contribute to the good of the city and the continued advancement of the university,” Ms. Holder said. “Our alumni are ambassadors for the life-changing educational opportunities available at UTC. It is a distinct honor as an alumna to work with these wonderful volunteer champions of the university, and to help facilitate alumni giving back to UTC in varied and significant capacities.”
Richard Johnson ‘81, Alumni Board president, also is enthusiastic. “I’m extremely proud of the hard work our alumni board members invest year after year. This is a particularly strong class of board members that reflect the rich diversity among our alumni. Our board of directors is proud to include alumni from every decade since the University of Chattanooga joined the UT system in 1969. Fifty years later, both UC alumni and UTC alumni work together toward a common goal to promote the university through community engagement and campus involvement.”