Class Notes

Regent University announced on Tuesday Spencer Beaty will be the new Head Coach of the men’s basketball team.

Prior to taking the position at Regent, Beaty served as assistant coach at Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, coached winning programs at Maryville College and coached for high schools in Tennessee and Florida.

“After a national search that attracted over 60 applicants, ranging from NCAA Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, Junior College, and all the way down to the high school ranks, I am thrilled to add Coach Beaty to our Royals family,” Director of Athletics at Regent Michael Allen said. “I have known Spencer since his collegiate playing days and have followed his coaching career through the years. He has the passion, knowledge, energy, and experience we were looking for as we make our transition to NCAA Division III.”

Throughout his career, Beaty has coached Academic All-Conference players, All-Region players, multiple Conference Player of the Year and two McDonald All-Americans.

“I want to thank Dr. Umidi, Michael Allen, the athletic department coaches and staff, and the committee for entrusting me as the next head coach of the men’s basketball program,” Beaty said. “Regent is a special place that I have intentionally prayed about, and that Christ would open the door so not only that I might lead young men, but that I might continue to grow my relationship with the Lord in his called mission field for myself.”

is among those honored by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal in its “40 under 40” list for 2015. The annual list recognizes “diverse young leaders who share a passion for making a difference.” News Release: Chrissy Newton Brooks, 37, Senior director of national accounts, DeRoyal Industries Chrissy Newton Brooks equips doctors across the country with medical devices from DeRoyal Industries. Newton Brooks, DeRoyal’s senior director of national accounts, represents the medical manufacturing company with one of the largest group purchasing organizations (GPO) in the country. “The vast majority of our products are sold through GPOs, and Chrissy is the face of DeRoyal to our largest, longest-standing GPO partner,” wrote DeRoyal CEO Brian DeBusk in nominating her. “Chrissy’s commitment to excellence and ever-present professionalism, coupled with her endless supply of energy and dynamic personality, are key attributes that make her so successful within our company. She represents a broad portfolio of products and services across a large base of over 2,500 hospitals, which requires her to identify and solve customer challenges on a daily basis.” Newton Brooks manages GPO contracts for DeRoyal, allowing its medical devices and equipment to be purchased at negotiated prices by hospitals and physicians’ offices. “I enjoy interacting with the key decision-makers in health care,” she says. “We meet with all of the people that represent all the major hospitals and listen to what they need. A lot of these hospitals are having to do a lot more with a lot less, so we try to find ways to add value.” DeRoyal leaders hired Newton Brooks as a business analyst in 1999 after they heard her present her senior thesis from Maryville College on the economic impact of an interfaith clinic to a hospital’s board of directors. She joined the company’s product management department, where she spent a decade learning about different products and worked with product engineers, including a team that was trying to improve medical fluid suction devices used during surgery. “The seal around the top of the canister is what the issue was,” Newton Brooks says. Newton Brooks suggested using an adhesive similar to the kind used on flypaper to provide a better seal. She is credited on the patent for her part in designing the device. DeRoyal leaders promoted her to her current role in 2010, where she’s been guiding the company’s sales and marketing strategies and pursuing opportunities to expand the business into new markets. “Most recently, we implemented a new revenue enhancement system,” she says. “We have learned from hospitals that they have to do things quicker and better with less people and we believe technology is the way to do that.” Newton Brooks also chairs Maryville College’s Business Advisory Board, where she hopes she’s helping the school’s graduates get a successful start in their careers. “At a time when career services is competitive, we want to make sure our students have the best opportunities moving forward,” she says. BIO Education: Bachelor’s degree, business and organization management, Maryville College; MBA, University of Tennessee Professional service and recognition: Member, Association of National Account Executives and Healthcare Industry Supply Chain Institute; inaugural member, Value-Based Medical Technology Association Community service: Chair, Business Advisory Board, Maryville College; violinist, Maryville College Orchestra; co-chair, United Way of Blount County Young Leaders Society campaign What she likes to do in her free time: Spend time with friends and her husband, Jason, and their children, Mary-James and Hall Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Christopher Peter Byrne, the youngest of 10 children, passed away February 6, 2016. Born in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to John and Arlene Byrne, Christopher also lived in Wisconsin and Tennessee. He is welcomed into heaven by his parents John and Arlene, as well as two sisters Linda and Cynthia, niece Erica, and grandparents. He is survived by four brothers John, Timothy, Mark and Paul; three sisters Debra, Kathleen and Bethann, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts and uncles. Christopher had many interests and enjoyed research. Along with business and politics, his main collegiate studies were in biology and science. Christopher enjoyed a good conversation, a good movie, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and especially travel and exploring. His adventures took him to visit 3 of the 7 Wonders of the World. Along with many U.S. beaches and cities, Chris explored Mexico, Sweden, Lapland, the Arctic Circle, Norway, India and Venezuela. Chris had a generous spirit and great willingness to help others. Although his dreams were cut short by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma followed by lung cancer and finally brain cancer, Chris fought strong until the end. He will be greatly missed by many. The family will celebrate his life privately.

Allison Cornish of Pilot Company earns Top Women in Convenience award

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2022) –Allison Cornish – a Lexington, Kentucky native and current Knoxville resident – has been named a Convenience Store News 2022 Top Women in Convenience in the elite Women of the Year category. Since joining Pilot Company in 1999, Cornish has exponentially grown her career and is now leading the company’s largest investment in remodeling its travel centers as VP of Store Modernization.

She joins four other Women of the Year honored for representing the convenience store industry in the retail, wholesale, and supplier sectors. The prestigious award recognizes those who have had an “exceptional impact on the success or direction of their company, as well as a positive impact on the convenience store industry as a whole.” Each winner was nominated through an in-depth questionnaire covering achievements, leadership, influence, and qualifications – and Cornish’s immense contributions in each of these areas are demonstrated in her long-standing dedication to Pilot Company and the thousands of team members she has positively impacted.

“Anyone who knows Allison would agree she deserves this great honor,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “She is a hard worker who always accepts challenges that come her way. We are proud of her and the incredible work she does, especially how she is leading New Horizons, one of our company’s biggest initiatives.”

Cornish is a graduate of Maryville College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. She joined Pilot Company as her first job out of college and throughout her career has held leadership positions in multiple capacities including Regional Manager, Chief of Staff and VP of Operations. Cornish is dedicated to mentoring young up-and-coming leaders and female colleagues across the business and its more than 650 company-operated travel centers.

“It’s important for women to support other women. I’ve learned the value in helping other women see the value in themselves,” Cornish said. “I’ve heard myself give advice to other women and have stopped to think that I need to follow that same advice myself! Sometimes my role is to push people to get outside their comfort zone. I encourage them to be open to taking on new challenges or pursuing jobs that maybe have aspects that they don’t know much about. Growth can feel uncomfortable at first but with determination, patience, and a willingness to listen and learn, you’ll be successful.”

Heather Nicole McCloud, 46 of Halls Crossroads, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her family on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Heather was a true fighter with a sunshine spirit, a huge heart, and a fierce love of her family, friends, and fur babies.

A graduate of Halls High School and Maryville College, she had a lifelong love of reading and country music. She spent many years employed and in volunteer service to Knox County Schools and Emerald Youth Foundation, sharing her light with kids. Most recently employed in customer service at KUB, only leaving her friends and co-workers when her medical issues made it too difficult to continue.

Heather is preceded in death by grandparents, James W and Betty Kelly, Joseph and Gladys McCloud and Uncle Pat Kelly. Left behind to celebrate her are parents, Vicki McCloud and Gary McCloud (Elaine); sisters, Mendy McCloud-Sepesi (Michael) and Ashley Lacy (Tyler); special niece, Hannah Yow (Caleb) who started her favorite nickname WuaWua; uncle, Mike Kelly (Kay); fur sister, Darby; and many cousins and friends.

has joined the faculty of Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina as an assistant professor of education. She has a Ph.D. in education/literary studies from the University of Tennessee, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Tusculum College, a B.A. in English from Maryville College and an A.A. in Elementary Education from Pellissippi State Community College.

graduated UTK in 2015 with a doctorate in Education with a concentration in Literacy Studies. In August 2015, she accepted an assistant professor of education position at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC.

Erin Palmer Polly is the new president-elect of the Nashville Bar Association. She will assume the presidency of the Bar Association December, 2017.

Erin Palmer Polly has been named to Nashville’s 2017 “40 Under 40” list.. She is a partner in Butler Snow LLP and obtained a $22.2 million verdict for Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates PC and David J. Snodgrass in November 2016. She was also recently elected to serve as president of the Nashville, Bar Association in 2018. This year’s winners were chosen from nearly 600 nominations. An independent panel of judges reviewed each nomination, looking for those with business acumen, strong ties to the community and a willingness to go the extra mile in all they do – all before their 40th birthday.

Attorney at Law magazine named Erin Palmer Polly ’99, Attorney of the Month in March 2018. Erin is also newly installed as the President of the Nashville Bar Association. Read more here: https://goo.gl/V5XsdN

began working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Knoxville on Dec. 2014. Kenny was previously a lawyer in Knoxville with Baker Donelson.

Ascension Saint Thomas has announced Kristen Toth as Vice President of Oncology Services in addition to her current role as Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services. Kristen’s responsibilities will now include the oversight of both Women’s and Oncology Services, including strategic planning, clinical processes, and program development. “Under Kristen’s leadership, our Women’s service line has seen remarkable success and I’m confident that our Oncology Service Line will continue its legacy of providing excellent care to our patients while enhancing our program and capabilities as well,” said Amber Sims, Chief Strategy Officer, Ascension Saint Thomas. “As Ascension Saint Thomas continues to expand our service offerings within the Women’s and Oncology spaces, we are fortunate to have Kristen’s proven leadership guiding both programs into exciting new territories for our patients and physicians.” Kristen joined Saint Thomas Health in January 2014 as the Executive Director of the Saint Thomas Health Alliance. Since February 2017, she has been the Vice President of Women’s Services. Prior to her tenure at Ascension Saint Thomas, Kristen spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in Women’s and Pediatric Health. Kristen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Maryville College and a Master of Science in Statistics from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Lori West ’99 has been promoted from Associate Professor to Professor at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Dr. West joined Lee’s Natural Science and Mathematics faculty in 2006. Prior to her arrival at Lee, Dr. West conducted post-doctoral research in the nutrition department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and taught at Maryville College as a visiting professor. Dr. West has served as program director for four recently funded Tennessee Higher Education Committee grants and as a mentor for many student research projects at Lee. She has also served as event coordinator for the local Science Olympiad tournaments, a competition for middle and high school students.

Brooklyn White recently published her first book titled, Sunsets and Silver Linings: Caring for Parents with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. In this book, she provides research and practical tips for caregiving from her father’s journey. She has also formed and started her own company, Engage Care Partners LLC, that provides Advanced Planning, Care Navigation and Doula Services for those aging or diagnosed with chronic conditions in the Greater Birmingham and Shelby County areas of Alabama.