THRIVE 95 Conference
November 10-12, 2026
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:
November 10, 2026
Pre-Conference 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Arrival and Registration – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
November 11, 2026
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
November 12, 2026
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 25, 2026
As you register, please note the following:
When you submit registration, you should have at least 3 sessions selected (overall conference, 2 breakout sessions). If you sign up for the pre-conference, you will have 4 sessions selected when you submit.
Overall Registration – You will need to register for the overall conference.
Breakout Sessions – Select 1 breakout session per grouping. Select 1 topic titled “Breakout Session 1” and 1 topic titled “Breakout Session 2.”
Pre-conference Workshop – Are you currently participating in the LEAD95 Cohort? The pre-conference workshop is required for current cohort members. It is highly encouraged for all county directors, especially those who have started in the past 2 years.
Registration Questions – You will need to provide any dietary or mobility restrictions and provide your size for the conference giveaway. All attendees will receive a 1/4 zip pullover with the UT Extension or UT-TSU Extension logo. Please review the size charts and provide your size and choice of logo (UT Extension or UT-TSU combined) when you complete your SUPER registration. Men’s size chart & Women’s size chart
Conference Hotel – Make your reservation by September 25.
Drury Plaza Hotel – Nashville Franklin
1874 West McEwen Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
Make your hotel reservation in the group room block no later than September 25, 2026, using the link below.
Please make sure to adjust your arrival date to November 10, unless you are participating in the pre-conference workshop.
Conference Rate $130 per night.
Conference Information
Conference Hotel
The conference hotel is the Drury Hotel - Nashville/Franklin. The conference room rate is $130.00. 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:
November 10 - Breakfast & Lunch - Dinner on your own.
November 11 - Breakfast & Lunch - Dinner on your own.
November 12 - 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).
November 10, 2026
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 am | Registration for Pre-conference Session | Lobby |
| 9:00 - 11:00 am | Pre-conference Workshop* | Leipers A/B |
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Arrival and Registration | Lobby |
| 12:00 - 1:30 pm | Lunch & General Session 1 | Historic Franklin Ballroom |
| 1:30 - 1:45 pm | Break | |
| 1:45 - 2:45 pm | Breakout Session 1 | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 2:45 - 3:15 pm | Break | |
| 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Breakout Session 2 | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 4:15 pm | Wrap Up and Adjourn - Dinner on your own |
*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.
November 11, 2026
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 - 8:00 am | Breakfast available at the hotel | Lobby |
| 7:30 - 8:00 am | Professional Headshot Available | Lobby or Outside - TBD |
| 8:00 - 9:30 am | General Session 2 - Keynote: Karen Weekly, UT Softball Head Coach | Historic Franklin Ballroom |
| 9:30 - 9:45 am | Break | |
| 9:45 - 10:45 am | Breakout Session 3 - Rotate with region. | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 10:45 - 11:00 am | Break | |
| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Breakout Session 4 - Rotate with region. | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 12:00 - 1:30 pm | Lunch | 1st Floor |
| 1:30 - 2:30 pm | Breakout Session 5 - Rotate with region. | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 2:30 - 3:00 pm | Break | |
| 3:00 - 4:30 pm | General Session 3 - Generational Leadership | Historic Franklin Ballroom |
| 4:30 pm | Adjourn - Dinner on your own |
November 12, 2026
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 - 8:00 am | Breakfast available at the hotel | Lobby |
| 8:00 - 10:00 am | General Session 4 - County Director Roundtables | Historic Franklin Ballroom |
| 10:00 - 10:30 am | Break - Check out of hotel. | |
| 10:30 - 11:45 am | Regional Breakout Sessions | Meeting Rooms on 1st and 11th Floor |
| 12:00 - 1:45 pm | Lunch & General Session 5 - Capnote Speaker: Keith Carver | Historic Franklin Ballroom |
| 2:00 pm | Adjourn |
Pre-conference Workshop - November 10, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Franklin Covey's Change: Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity (for leaders)
This session is required for all current cohort members of LEAD95 and highly encouraged for all County Directors.
Change happens all the time. Yet, when faced with change, many organizations primarily focus on the process. Successful change takes more than that—it’s your people who make change happen. As people, we’re wired to react to change to survive, which can make change feel difficult or threatening. Successful leaders engage their people in change, making it feel less uncertain and more like an opportunity. While every change is unique, there’s a predictable pattern to change. Understanding this pattern and building the skills to navigate it successfully allows us to consciously determine how to move forward—even in the most challenging stages.
Breakout Sessions - November 10 (Each session offered during each time slot.) 1:45 - 2:45 pm and 3:15 - 4:15 pm
| Workshop Title & Presenter | Workshop Description |
|---|---|
| Building a Brand - 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" |
| Customer Service - Chick-Fil-A | "My Pleasure" A simple phrase, but a powerful meaning. Customer Service is a commitment and an identity. Chick-fil-A representatives highlight the efforts taken to make "My Pleasure" a basis for a brand. |
| AI-Driven Leadership - Steve Chastain, AI & Training Consultant, UT Office of Innovative Solutions | In this fast-paced, hands-on 1-hour workshop, leaders will move beyond the buzz around AI and get practical. Participants will discover ideas for using AI to reduce workloads, improve decision-making, and communicate more effectively, and they will walk away with immediately actionable AI strategies for everyday tasks. From drafting strategic communications and summarizing complex reports to using AI for data-informed decision-making and staff performance support, this session is designed for leaders who want results—not theory. No technical background required. |
| Media & Advocacy Training - Johnna Miller, Senior Director of Media & Advocacy Training, Farm Bureau | There are few opportunities to reach a wider audience than through the media. When the opportunity arises, you want to make the most of it. In this workshop, you will learn how to analyze your audience, define your goal, and deliver an interview that will resonate with the audience in a positive way and make the reporter want to do more stories with you. You’ll learn about message and soundbite development, bridging techniques to deal with tricky questions, and what reporters really want from an interview. |
Breakout Sessions - November 11 (Everyone will rotate to all sessions in regional groups.)
| Workshop Title & Presenter | Workshop Description |
|---|---|
| Building Trust with County Government Officials - Clint Shrum (CTAS, UT Institute for Public Service) & Ashley McDonald (Naifeh Center, UT Institute for Public Service) | Strong relationships with county officials are essential for Extension success. This session focuses on strengthening credibility, navigating political and organizational dynamics, and building long-term trust with key local stakeholders. Participants will explore practical strategies to enhance collaboration, communication, and alignment with county leadership—recognizing that trust is the foundation of effective service delivery. |
| Customer Service in the Digital Age: Email, Social Media & Public Perception - Adela Bonta & Emalee Buttrey (Naifeh Center, UT Institute for Public Service) | Customer service now extends far beyond face-to-face interactions. This session explores how leaders represent their counties through email, social media, and digital platforms. Participants will examine tone, responsiveness, and professionalism in written communication while learning how to manage public perception and maintain trust in an increasingly visible environment—where every interaction contributes to reputation. |
| Leadership at Full Capacity - Keith McGee & Jana Spitzer (Naifeh Center, UT Institute for Public Service) | Extension leaders are often the steady presence others rely on—but constant output can quietly erode effectiveness. This session explores how to lead at full capacity by managing energy, boundaries, and expectations. Participants will identify early signs of burnout and develop practical strategies to sustain resilience, recognizing that consistent, high-quality service depends on the leader’s ability to remain focused, steady, and effective over time. |
General Session Speakers
Karen Weekly - Keynote
A 31-year collegiate softball head coaching veteran boasting more than 1,400 career wins, Karen Weekly enters her 26th season at the helm of the Tennessee softball program in 2027. After serving as co-head coach for 20 seasons at Tennessee, Weekly assumed all head coaching responsibilities in June of 2021. Entering the 2027 season, she ranks third among active head coaches in wins and is seventh all-time in Division I collegiate softball history.
During her tenure at Tennessee, the Lady Vols have become one of the nation's premier programs. UT has reached the postseason every year since 2004, hosting 21 straight NCAA Regionals, advancing to 15 Super Regionals, and has made 10 trips to the Women's College World Series, placing in the top-3 on eight occasions, including two national runner-up finishes.
Weekly’s Tennessee players have earned 47 All-America recognitions, 110 All-SEC or SEC All-Freshman selections and 91 NFCA All-Region picks. The list of accolades also includes Monica Abbott and Madison Shipman being named Honda award winners for softball in 2007 and 2014, respectively. In addition, 21 Lady Vols have gone on to play professional softball.
Macel Ely - Generational Trust Workshop
Dr. Macel Ely serves as executive director of the UT Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) and as director of organizational improvement at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science from Lee University and Kentucky Wesleyan College, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Dr. Ely is a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance through the Association for Talent Development and has earned the Public Leadership Executive Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School. He also holds professional credentials in executive coaching, leadership program development and training management.
He has received multiple awards recognizing his research and contributions to public service. His published works include the book Ain’t No Grave, which was featured by media outlets such as CNN, NPR and the BBC. The book was also nominated for Best Historical Research by the Association of Recorded Sound Collections.
Keith Carver - Capnote
Keith Carver is the senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture, where he provides leadership for AgResearch, Extension, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Herbert College of Agriculture.
Carver has worked with the UT System for twenty-eight years. He most recently served as chancellor of UT Martin for over six years, and prior to that role, served as executive assistant to UT President Joe DiPietro for six years. Carver has worked on various UT campuses including Knoxville, Martin, and the UT Health Science Center in Memphis.
Raised in a rural farming community in West Tennessee, Carver has seen the impact of agriculture up close, starting with his early years growing up in Frog Jump, Tennessee. Early on, Carver knew he wanted to pursue an education beyond high school and earned a bachelor’s degree from Memphis State in 1992. His educational pursuits took him to UT Knoxville, where he completed a master’s degree in college personnel and educational leadership in 1995 and a PhD in higher education administration in 2009. A lifelong learner, Carver has completed numerous leadership development programs Leadership Tennessee, Leadership Knoxville, WestStar Leadership Program and the UT Leadership Institute.
Breakout Session Speakers
Johnna Miller - Media & Advocacy Training
Johnna Miller, who has been with the American Farm Bureau Federation for 19 years, is Director of Media and Advocacy Training in the Leadership, Education and Engagement Department. Johnna fills a unique training role that stems from her previous life as a general assignment reporter for television stations in North Carolina and West Virginia. She now uses her media background to design and offer media training, as well as advocacy and social media workshops to state Farm Bureau leaders and outside organizations including the National Corn Growers Association, the Pet Food Institute, and CropLife America. Johnna is also the coordinator of AFBF's Partners in Advocacy Leadership program,an executive level program to build stronger advocates and leaders for agriculture.
Steve Chastain - AI-Driven Leadership
Stephen R. Chastain is a passionate advocate for leveraging artificial intelligence to transform educational experiences at the University of Tennessee. He holds a degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Tennessee, where his research focused on the impact of podcasting on higher education. Additionally, he also holds a master’s degree in music education.
Stephen has extensive experience in teaching and training on a variety of technologies, including Adobe and Microsoft applications. His latest research is the use of AI in higher education. He has conducted numerous workshops and courses, sharing his expertise with faculty, staff, and students.
His work has been presented at several conferences addressing technology in higher education. In addition to his teaching and training roles, Stephen has contributed to the field through publications and consulting work. His current research interests are artificial intelligence and its integration into education. He has co-authored chapters and articles on these topics and has published his work in various educational journals.
Stephen is known for his enthusiasm and dedication to enhancing learning through innovative technologies. His students have praised his clear instructions, patience, and willingness to provide individual attention. He looks forward to advancing the integration of AI in education and empowering learners and educators to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
Clint Shrum - Building Trust with County Government Officials
Clint joined CTAS in January 2023. Clint served 30 years in law enforcement including two terms as sheriff of Grundy County. During his tenure as sheriff, Clint served on the board of directors for the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association and the technical advisory panel for the International Association of Chiefs of Police drug evaluation classification program.
In 2017, Clint received the J. Stannard Baker Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association for his work in highway traffic safety. He was also named the Tennessee Sheriff of the Year in 2020. Before being elected, Clint served as a police officer in the City of Winchester and as a law enforcement liaison for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.
He holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University. Clint is a certified jail manager through the American Jail Association and a graduate of the 109th session of the National Sheriffs’ Institute.
Ashley McDonald - Building Trust with County Government Officials
Ashley McDonald serves the Naifeh Center as a training specialist in the Nashville office. Ashley most recently worked as director of marketing and communications with Truleo, an AI platform serving law enforcement agencies.
Ashley also served as a teaching associate in LEIC's Public Information Officer program since 2024. She has a bachelor's degree in mass communication and journalism from Middle Tennessee State University.
Adela Bonta - Customer Service in the Digital Age
Adela Bonta serves as training specialist of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership. Previously, Adela worked in secondary education and higher education for over 15 years. She has designed, facilitated and implemented retreats, workshops and various university programs. She loves learning and believes that effective training promotes individual growth, strengthens teams and improves organizational effectiveness.
She holds bachelor's degrees in French and English from Babes-Bolyai University in Romania; a master’s degree in English with a specialization in teaching English as a second language from Bowling Green State University in Ohio; and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources management from Saint Leo University in Florida.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and taking long walks with her husband and their golden retriever.
Emalee Buttrey - Customer Service in the Digital Age
Dr. Emalee Buttrey joined NCEL in October 2024 as a training specialist, primarily serving the Certified Public Manager and Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Leadership programs. She brings more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research and leadership development to the team and is passionate about helping others reach their full potential.
Most recently, Emalee was the instructional designer in the Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs at UT Martin. Her other previous roles include animal science faculty member at UT Martin and Louisiana Tech University, Director of Education at Discovery Park of America, and research and extension associate for Texas A&M AgriLife in Amarillo.
Emalee earned her bachelor's degree in agriculture with an emphasis in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Martin; her master's degree in animal science, specializing in ruminant nutrition, from Texas A&M University in College Station; and her doctoral degree in systems agriculture, specializing in ruminant nutrition and beef cattle management, from West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
Outside of her professional life, Emalee loves to travel, read and spend time outdoors with her family. She is married to her best friend, Brad. Both are natives of Humphreys County, Tennessee, but now call Weakley County home. They have two children, Rachel and Grady. Together, they own and operate BERG Livestock, a regenerative pasture-based livestock operation. In addition to the farm, the family stays busy with church events, youth rodeos and fishing.
Keith McGee - Leadership at Full Capacity
Keith L. McGee serves as a training specialist for the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership. A Tennessee native, Keith served in city and county government for almost 28 years, retiring as chief administrative officer for the city of Memphis. In this role, Keith led the day-to-day operations of the country’s 18th-largest city. He also served the city of Memphis as the director and deputy director of the Human Resources Division and secretary to the Civil Service Commission.
During his more than 11 years with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Keith advanced from sergeant to administrative lieutenant, jail support manager and ultimately operations officer for the first Corrections Training Academy. In addition, Keith has provided consulting services for the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections providing training across the United States.
Since 1993, Keith has also led the Keith McGee Group, an executive and human resources consulting firm. The firm’s clients have included Federal Express, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the University of Memphis, McNeill Hotel Company and the city of Franklin. Keith has a bachelor's degree in human services from Thomas Edison State University and a master's degree in instructional design and technology from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Keith has had the privilege to share in ministry for over 36 years. Keith was the pastor of the historic St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Tipton County for over 23 years and currently serves the Church Without Walls, Nashville. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, reading, movies, music and great food. Keith is married to the former Natasha Metcalf, and they have three beautiful children.
Jana Spitzer - Leadership at Full Capacity
Dr. Jana Spitzer serves as a training specialist at the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, bringing over 14 years of experience in higher education. Before joining NCEL, Jana held key administrative roles, including senior associate director and director at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she led and advocated for academic advising and student success initiatives.
She has taught numerous introductory sociology courses and first-year seminars at UT, Knoxville and has presented at various regional and national conferences. Prior to her career in academia, Jana spent four years working in the banking sector.
She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology (with an honors minor in criminal justice) from East Tennessee State University and holds both a master's degree in sociology and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Outside of her professional life, Jana enjoys outdoor walks, has been an active member of an adult-league soccer team for over 20 years and cherishes time spent with her husband and daughter.
Attire for the conference is business casual. See UT Extension Dress Guidelines for details. Professional headshots will be available on Wednesday morning, so you may wish to dress accordingly if you would like a more formal photo.
Bring your Extension nametag. Conference nametags will not be provided.
THRIVE 95 Planning Committee
Conference Chair:
Jessica W. Smith, Roane County
LEAD95 Chair:
Amelia Sturgill, Scott County
Eastern Region:
- Jessica W. Smith, Roane County
- Hannah Goodson, Bradley County
- Amelia Sturgill, Scott County
- John Gunter, Fentress County
Central Region:
- Haley Barnes, Clay County
- Dannie Bradford, Marion County
- Terri Orr, Marshall County
- Lauren Patterson, Robertson County
Western Region:
- Michele Atkins, Henry County
- Allyson Harmon, Dickson County
- Bronson Bass, Weakley County
- Gary Rodgers, Hardeman County
Region & State:
- Amy Kirk, EESD
- Brandi Berven, EESD
- Jerry Lamb, Western Region
- Chris Hicks, Central Region
- Kelli Roberson, Eastern Region
- Tom Broyles, TSU