Rutherford County, TN - Rutherford County is once again placing leadership and service front and center with the announcement of the Leadership Rutherford Class of 2026 and the Youth Leadership Rutherford Class. These programs are designed to equip emerging leaders of all ages with the tools, insight, and connections they need to make meaningful contributions to their community.
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce's Stephanie Brackman, IOM and COO, who heads Leadership Rutherford, said, “I am excited to announce the new classes of Leadership Rutherford and Youth Leadership Rutherford! These exceptional individuals represent the future of leadership in our community, and we are excited to support them as they grow, learn, and connect through these transformative programs.”
Grow. Connect. Serve is the motto that has carried the program forward since 1985, building a thriving alumni network of more than 1,340 professionals. In 1995, the initiative expanded with Youth Leadership Rutherford, empowering high school students to explore leadership through service, civic awareness, and personal growth.
Stephanie Brackman urges alumni to stay engaged, “We encourage all alumni to continue building a strong network of leaders dedicated to service and growth in Rutherford County.”
Leadership Rutherford Class of 2026 Highlights
This year’s adult cohort represents a cross-section of Rutherford’s professional landscape—from healthcare and higher education to law enforcement, finance, and manufacturing.
Here are just a few of the incoming members:
- Jen Beecham ............................................... TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center
- Olivia Blondin .............................................. Ozark River Manufacturing Company
- Casey Brown ............................................... Middle Tennessee State University
- Beth Bryant ................................................. Isaiah House 117
- Tyler Clem ................................................... One Church
- Chris Copeland ............................................ Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Chelsey Curtis ............................................. Schwan Cosmetics
- Esterlene Dukes .......................................... Huntington Learning Center of Murfreesboro
- Jeff Edge ..................................................... Edward Jones Investment
- Lauren Emanuel .......................................... Boro Chiropractic
- Larry Flowers .............................................. Murfreesboro Police Department
- Jeff Hopkins ................................................ Tennessee College of Applied Technology
- Kedrick Howse ............................................ Redstone Federal Credit Union
- Julie Hudgens .............................................. Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital
- Bryan Jaynes ............................................... Dow Smith Contracting Company Jennifer Johnson ......................................... Michael’s Homes, LLC
- Kenzi Keene ................................................ Farmers Insurance
- Rob Latimer ................................................ Nissan North America
- Brett McArdle ............................................. Consolidated Utility District
- Sharon Mesmer .......................................... Howser & Associates
- Samantha Meyer ........................................ First Community Mortgage Jackie Morgan ............................................. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – Nashville Branch Lindsey Parsley ........................................... Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Brian Parsons .............................................. Michael Busey State Farm
- Andrew Patton ........................................... City of La Vergne
- Jolene Radnoti ............................................ Read To Succeed, Inc.
- Maggie Richard Lee .................................... Wilson Bank & Trust
- Shayla Robinson ......................................... Doors of Hope
- Jason Rowe ................................................. Middle Tennessee Electric Jonathan Sims ............................................. North Boulevard Church of Christ
- Dr. Monica Smith ........................................ Middle Tennessee State University
- Teresa Stevens ............................................ City of Murfreesboro
- Collette Thomas .......................................... Murfreesboro Medical Clinic
- Emily Treadway………………………………………..Genesis Electric LLC
- Carson Warner ............................................ TDK Construction Company, Inc.
- Ella Weaver ................................................. United Way of South-Central Tennessee
- Shannon Whittington ................................. Tennessee State Veterans’ Home
- Collette Wolfgram ...................................... Chick-fil-A Murfreesboro
- Morgan Wright ………………………………………. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Youth Leadership Rutherford Class of 2026
This dynamic class features standout students from nearly every corner of Rutherford County. These young leaders are set to embark on a year of immersive leadership development grounded in civic understanding and peer collaboration. CLICK HERE to see the Youth Leadership Rutherford Class.
NewsRadio WGNS will be closely following the progress of both classes throughout the coming year, and spotlighting the impact these leaders bring to Rutherford County.
