Clark elected to TACVB Board of Directors

Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, has been elected to the Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Board of Directors. Board members were elected by the membership during their annual meeting at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in September 2012 and officially took office January 1, 2013. Clark will serve a three-year term as the West Tennessee representative. Barry Young, Sumner County CVB Director and Brownsville native, was also elected to a two-year term representing Middle Tennessee.

TACVB’s board members represent a broad and diverse group of tourism professionals from all areas of the state. Newly elected officers of the Association are Chairman Shelda S. Rees, Chattanooga CVB; Vice-Chair, Kim Bumpas, Visit Knoxville; Secretary Lori Nunnery, Jackson CVB; Treasurer Theresa Harrington, Clarksville-Montgomery County CVB; Immediate Past Chair Rhonda Adams, Dickson County Chamber. Other Board members include Laura Canada, Cookeville-Putnam County (East TN rep); Mark Shore, Williamson County CVB (Middle TN rep); Katy Brown, Oak Ridge CVB; Brenda McCroskey, Sevierville CVB; Calvin Taylor, Memphis CVB; Jennifer Wheatley, Paris-Henry County Chamber; and Melissa Woody, Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber. Affiliate members elected to one-year terms are: Tubby Kubik, Chocklett Press; Craig Richards, Collinson Media; and Mary Steadman, Miles.

“TACVB is fortunate to have outstanding community leaders willing to volunteer their time and talent to enhance Tennessee’s reputation for hospitality,” said Sheila Leggett, TACVB Executive Director.  “The importance of tourism in Tennessee cannot be overstated.  It is one of Tennessee’s largest industries, and provides billions of dollars of direct economic impact and sales tax revenues annually.”

The Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus is a non-profit organization representing the state's official destination management and marketing organizations.  It is dedicated to the advancement of issues and activities deemed to be in the best interest of the Tennessee tourism industry and, specifically, the membership of the organization.

JOEL SOUTHERN APPOINTED PERMANENT CEO AT HAYWOOD PARK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Joel Southern

Joel Southern has been named permanent Chief Executive Officer of Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn., effective immediately. He has served as interim chief executive officer since August 2012.

“Haywood Park is an important resource to this community,” said Southern. “I’ve enjoyed working with the medical staff, board and employees of Haywood Park over the past six months and look forward to building upon the groundwork we’ve laid together.”

In his previous role as Chief Nursing Officer at Henderson County Community Hospital, Southern contributed to the hospital’s designation as a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures two years in a row. The hospital was also recognized for excellence in inpatient and employee satisfaction as well as outstanding performance on Core Measures. Before that, as CNO at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur, Alabama, the hospital received the “Best in Value” award and was accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers and as a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

“Joel’s career has been dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality and providing patients with exceptional service,” said Michael Banks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Park Community Hospital. “His expertise will only enhance Haywood Park’s reputation of delivering the finest care to the people we serve.”

Southern received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with concentrations in Hospital and Healthcare Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.