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THRIVE 95

THRIVE 95 Conference

October 22-24, 2024

The LEAD95 Committee is excited to host a brand new leadership conference designed specifically to energize Tennessee County Directors to continue their leadership development as they lead county staff. We want to support you as a director and help you thrive in Extension.

THRIVE 95 will be a three day conference consisting of general sessions, breakout sessions, and off-site visits all designed to foster growth, enthusiasm, and teamwork. We have an exciting lineup of dynamic speakers and workshop presenters that will equip and re-energize you to continue your leadership journey as a County Director.

THRIVE 95 is a conference for all County Directors and will be a special time to network and spend time with other County Directors from across the state.

About LEAD95

LEAD95 is a comprehensive training program designed for County Extension Directors. The objectives of the program are to:

  • increase competency,
  • increase job satisfaction, and
  • establish consistent leadership and direction across the Tennessee Extension system.

Conference Dates:

October 22, 3:00 – 7:30 pm

Pre-conference Workshop: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

October 23, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm

October 24, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

All times are listed in local time (Central Time).

Who is this conference for?

The THRIVE 95 Conference is required for all County Directors. We are excited to have all 95 County Directors from across the state together for this special event!

Register in SUPER by September 4

Registration will ask for your breakout session selections, dietary restrictions, and clothing size for the conference giveaway, which is a UT or UT-TSU rain jacket. It might be helpful to review the breakout session options on this page to make your selections prior to registering in SUPER.

When registering in SUPER, make sure you select only one breakout session per timeslot. The sessions are labeled Breakout 1, Breakout 2, and Breakout 3. Also make sure you register for the session titled “Thrive95 Conference – Overall.” You should have a total of 4 sessions selected in SUPER registration for a total of 15 hours.

Register in SUPER

Conference Hotel

Embassy Suites Cool Springs

820 Crescent Centre Dr.

Franklin, TN 37067

Make your hotel reservation in the group room block no later than September 4 using the link below.

Please make sure to adjust your arrival date to October 22, unless you are participating in the pre-conference workshop beginning at 10:00 am CT.

Conference Rate $169 per night.

Make Your Hotel Reservation
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Keynote Speakers

Joan Cronan

Under the vision and direction of Joan Cronan, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols garnered a reputation as one of the most visible and respected programs throughout the nation. UT’s success in both the athletic and academic realms spoke volumes about her decision-making and leadership ability. She now serves the university in an advisory role as Women's Athletic Director Emeritus.

Cronan teamed with legendary basketball coach Pat Head Summitt to transform the Lady Vols brand into the worldwide standard bearer and vanguard of excellence in women’s athletics. Together, the duo led the Lady Vols basketball program to eight national championship, and Summitt totaled 1,098 wins en route to induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

A history-maker and member of several halls of fame, Cronan holds the distinction of becoming the first female athletics director for the entire department at UT when she served as Interim Vice Chancellor and Athletics Director in 2011. She forged a highly-decorated career in collegiate athletics as an administrator and advocate for student-athletes at UT. She is respected nationally for her skills as a leader, motivator, strategic thinker, public speaker and team builder and for the integrity with which she runs an organization. 

Karl Bradley

Karl Bradley connects with people through many roles—as a teacher, musician, football coach, yoga instructor, veteran, and leadership junkie. Originally from Branson, Missouri, Karl holds a bachelor’s in education from Arizona State University and a master’s in education from The University of Northern Colorado. Over his career, he has led teams ranging from 5 to 250 and held leadership positions in public relations, operations, fundraising, finance, human resources, corporate training, and procurement.

He has worked in 49 states and 20 countries supporting alliances, strengthening partnerships, and improving diplomatic relations. He brings expertise in strategic thinking, leadership development, public speaking, team building, community engagement, and ideation to serve all 112 Land-grant institutions.

Karl joined the Extension Foundation team in 2020 after 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. As the leadership and team development specialist for the Extension Foundation, his job is to influence the 32,000 Cooperative Extension professionals to create meaningful experiences for the people of our nation. He does this through individual and team coaching, grant support, and membership offerings. Above all, he is a proud spouse and a father of two amazing humans!

Courtenay DeHoff

Courtenay DeHoff is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, network television personality and cowgirl. With over fifteen years of experience as a television host, Courtenay boasts a wide skill set including shooting, editing and producing high quality content.

Courtenay embraces her unique cowgirl roots and proudly stands out in a world of cookie cutter on-camera personalities. Armed with a passion to share stories on her own terms and give prominence to the agriculture community, Courtenay has utilized her expert storytelling skills to show being a cowgirl isn't how you look, where you live or even the lifestyle you lead. It's a state of mind.

Courtenay is a strong agriculture advocate and has taught tens of thousands in the industry the importance of sharing their story in order to bridge the disconnect between rural and urban communities. She is an executive producer and co-host of "Backroad Cowgirls", a digital series highlighting the diverse faces of agriculture and their stories.

She is a former collegiate and professional rodeo athlete and proud bucking bull mom. Catch her bull Top Dollar on CBS Sports most weekends at the PBR (professional bull rider) events.

Robert Anthony

Robert was born with Fibular Hemimelia, a birth defect that led to his amputation at just 10 months old. Facing numerous challenges throughout his youth, including the absence of a consistent father figure, surviving abuse, and a life-altering house fire, Robert's journey was far from easy. However, these trials only fortified his resolve, transforming his struggles into a powerful narrative of resilience and determination.

Now a devoted father and husband, Robert has turned his hardships into a source of inspiration for others. He has traveled extensively across the country, sharing his message of hope and resilience at conferences, corporations, and educational institutions, reaching over 100,000 students. His compelling talks have graced stages at renowned organizations such as CNBC, NIKE, Marathon Petroleum, the Fullerton Police Department, and the US Department of Housing. Beyond his speaking engagements, Robert extends his impact globally through his nonprofit organization, which provides prosthetic legs to underprivileged amputees, embodying his belief that "Lead With Love" and with a Positive Mental Attitude, "Anything's Possible."

Apart from his motivational speaking, Robert is an accomplished athlete, representing the USA in amputee soccer, paratriathlon, sitting volleyball A2, and as a Para Spartan competitor, among other sports. His life and achievements serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and the endless possibilities that arise from leading with love and maintaining a positive mental outlook.

Conference Information

Conference Hotel

The conference hotel is the Embassy Suites Cool Springs. The conference room rate is $169.00. Individuals will have their own room. Each individual must make their own room reservation using the hotel link above. All attendees are strongly encouraged to stay at the conference hotel.

Carpooling

All attendees are strongly encouraged to carpool to Franklin.

Parking

Parking is complimentary at the hotel.

Meals

Meals provided at the conference include:

Oct. 22 - Dinner

Oct. 23 - Breakfast & Lunch - Dinner on your own.

Oct. 23 - Breakfast & Lunch

Travel Expense Reimbursement

Participants will be provided an account to cover travel expenses.

Locations are subject to change and will be updated as available. All times are listed in local time (Central Time).

October 22, 2024

TimeSessionLocation
10:00 am - 4:30 pmPre-Conference Workshop: Franklin Covey's The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team*Junior Ballroom
3:00 - 5:00 pmRegistration and Hotel Check-inJunior Foyer
5:00 - 7:30 pmWelcome Reception
Dinner
Keynote Speaker - Joan Cronan		Junior Ballroom

*Required for new County Directors and those who have not yet completed the program as part of LEAD95. Participants who are required to attend have already been notified. This session is also open to others who wish to participate.

October 23, 2024

TimeSessionLocation
7:30 amBreakfastJunior Ballroom
8:00 amGeneral Session
Keynote Speaker - Karl Bradley		Junior Ballroom
9:30 - 10:30 amBreakout SessionsJunior Ballroom, Oak, Hickory & Maple
10:30 - 11:00 amNetworking Snack BreakJunior Foyer
11:00 am - 12:00 pmBreakout SessionsJunior Ballroom, Oak, Hickory & Maple
12:00 - 12:30 pm
12:30 - 1:30 pm		Lunch
Keynote Speaker - Courtenay DeHoff		Atrium
Junior Ballroom
1:30 - 2:00 pmBreak and Change for Off-site AdventureJunior Foyer
2:00 - 6:30 pmOff-site Adventure
6:30 pmReturn to Hotel from Off-site Adventure
Dinner on Your Own

October 24, 2024

TimeSessionLocation
8:00 amBreakfastHotel Provided or On Your Own
9:30 - 10:30 amGeneral Session with Panel DiscussionJunior Ballroom
10:30 - 11:00 amNetworking Snack Break
Hotel Checkout		Junior Foyer
11:00 am - 12:00 pmBreakout SessionsJunior Ballroom, Oak, Hickory & Maple
12:15 - 2:00 pmLunch
Keynote Speaker - Robert Anthony
Closing Remarks - Brigitte Passman & Greg Paxton		Junior Ballroom
2:00 pmAdjourn

Pre-conference Workshop - October 22, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Franklin Covey's The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team

This workshop equips leaders with the essential skills and tools to get work done with and through other people. The program provides relevant guidance for effectively leading and managing their teams. The 6 Critical Practices fast-tracks the impact of every leader, equipping them with the skills and tools that every leader needs.

This pre-conference workshop is required for new County Directors and those who have not yet completed the program as part of LEAD95. Participants who are required to attend have already been notified. This session is also open to others who wish to participate. You must register for this workshop separately in SUPER.

Register for Pre-Conference

Breakout Session 1 - October 23, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Workshop Title & PresenterWorkshop DescriptionLocation
Coaching in Challenging Team Situations
Presented by: Marianne Roesler, Skillpath		Learn how to approach challenging team situations as an opportunity to build, enhance or strengthen a relationship that affects the leader, the employee, and the team.
• Summarize how to approach difficult conversations productively.
• Discuss strategies for using the steps for coaching during difficult situations.
• Practice the skills of effective communication under difficult circumstances.		Oak
Trust
Presented by: Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation		Creating an environment where trust can flourish is less about the time we spend and more about the behaviors we display. If you want high personal and organizational trust, be trustworthy!Junior Ballroom
Building a Brand
Presented by: Tractor Supply Company		Building a brand takes effort and planning.  Learn from an industry leader the thought processes and strategies used to build a company that is "passionate about being good neighbors in our hometowns"Hickory
Customer Service
Presented by: Chick-fil-A		"My Pleasure" A simple phrase, but a powerful meaning.  Customer Service is a committment and an identity.  Chick-fil-A representatives highlight the efforts taken to make "My Pleasure" a basis for a brand.Maple

Breakout Session 2 - October 23, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workshop Title & PresenterWorkshop DescriptionLocation
Building a Team
Presented by: Marianne Roesler, Skillpath		Discuss what it takes to develop a motivated, engaged, and forward-thinking team. Also identify possible obstacles that can sabotage teams, how to overcome them and the stages a new team goes through to perform at its best.
• Discuss the guiding principles needed to build a high performing team.
• Identify the challenges to overcome in building a team.
• Recognize the stages of forming teams and the steps to move a team to performance.
Oak
Diffuse the Drama
Presented by: Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation		Peter Drucker said, “Three things happen naturally in organizations; friction, confusion & underperformance. Everything else requires leadership.” Too often we get in our own way by playing the Victim, Villain, and Hero roles. Learn how to evolve into Coach, Creator, Challenger!Junior Ballroom
Artificial Intelligence
Presented by: Cisco		AI beyond ChatGPT. Where can it help? Where can it hurt? Envision the roles AI can play in the future workplace. Learn where one of the leading technology companies in the world views AI in the workplace.Hickory
Customer Service
Presented by: Chick-fil-A		"My Pleasure" A simple phrase, but a powerful meaning.  Customer Service is a committment and an identity.  Chick-fil-A representatives highlight the efforts taken to make "My Pleasure" a basis for a brand.Maple

Breakout Session 3 - October 24, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workshop Title & PresenterWorkshop DescriptionLocation
Developing a Team Culture
Presented by: Marianne Roesler, Skillpath		Leaders are responsible for shaping the culture of a team, recognizing when changes need to be made and knowing how to influence the process along the way.
• Identify the factors that shape a team culture.
• Recognize important elements needed to create a culture.
• Write an action plan for next steps in building team culture.		Oak
Busy is a Choice
Presented by: Karl Bradley, Extension Foundation		The secret to concentration is elimination! That’s right! Saying “no” can be positive. Learn how letting go sets us up to receive and helps us step into our most unique contributions.Junior Ballroom
Workforce Trends
Presented by: LBMC		What does the new workforce look like?  What does the new work enviroment look like for this workforce?  What is the new workforce looking for in an employer?  Learn how one employer is adapting to a changing workforce.Hickory
Growing Through Change
Presented by: Dr. Krisi Carpenter, University of Georgia Extension		Change is inevitable. In this session we will have an interactive coaching session using the GROW model to dig into tackling change you are dealing with or see on the horizon. Practicing the power of active listening and fostering conditions for others to problem solve.Maple

Nashville Bus Tour, featuring stops at:

  • Marathon Motor Works Village
  • Walk of Fame Park

Marathon Village is a neighborhood born out of the buildings that once housed Marathon Motor Works (1910-1914). The company started in Jackson, Tennessee in 1907. It was the first factory to totally manufacture automobiles in the southern United States and the only one to do so until General Motors made the Saturn in 1990.
Beginning with the purchase of his first building here in 1986, owner Barry Walker has supported a thriving creative community and made a center for commercial, performing, and visual arts. 

Attire for the conference is business casual. See UT Extension Dress Guidelines for details.

The off-site adventure on Wednesday afternoon will be casual attire.

Bring your Extension nametag. Conference nametags will not be provided.

THRIVE 95 Planning Committee

Conference Chair:

Brigitte Passman, Tipton County

LEAD95 Chair:

Greg Paxton, Polk County

Eastern Region:

  • Jessica Wilkinson Smith, Roane County
  • Sarah Orr, Cocke County
  • Amelia Sturgill, Scott County

Central Region:

  • Haley Barnes, Clay County
  • Matt Horsman, Williamson County
  • Dannie Bradford, Marion County
  • Dill Hughes, Jackson County

Western Region:

  • Michelle Atkins, Henry County
  • Heather Smith, Benton County
  • Bronson Bass, Weakley County

Region & State:

  • John Toman, EESD
  • Amy Kirk, EESD
  • Brandi Berven, EESD
  • Jerry Lamb, Western Region
  • Chris Hicks, Central Region
  • Kelli Roberson, Eastern Region