Leadership Tennessee announces 2024-2025 Signature Program participants

Leadership Tennessee has announced the participants in the 11th class of its yearly program, which brings together leaders from around the state to address concerns Tennessee faces.

This year's class includes Bob Eby, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee State Board of Education chairman, and Clarice Phelps, an engineer in the Radioisotope Science and Technology Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“I am proud to bring to the table my unique perspective and find ways we can improve the learning experience for Tennessee’s K-12 students,” Eby stated in a news release. “I admire the talented professionals also named to this year’s class. I have collaborated with several of these members since serving on the State Board, and I am certain that this opportunity will allow us to make a transformative impact for the betterment of our state.”

Eby has previously served on the Oak Ridge Board of Education.

"I'm proud to bring my unique perspective to issues facing our great state,” Phelps said in a news release from ORNL. “I admire the talented professionals also named to this year’s class, and I am certain that, working with this diverse group, we’ll be able to make a transformative impact for the betterment of our state.”

Phelps, a longtime supporter of STEM programs, spearheaded ORNL’s Chemical Radiation Technology Pathway partnership with Pellissippi State Community College.

"Whether in advancing science, inspiring others with her story, or building programs to prepare the next generation, Clarice is an exemplary leader," ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer said. “I look forward to seeing the impact she will bring to the state through Leadership Tennessee."

Leadership Tennessee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying leaders from throughout the state to address critical issues and in a constructive and nonpartisan way. The 2024-2025 Signature Program Class XI consists of 48 people from 14 different counties across Tennessee, each representing distinct organizations and professional experiences.

The cohort will spend 10 months traveling the state to study the challenges Tennessee faces and work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities to improve.

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith contributed to this story.