Search Begins for UT System Vice President for Communications and Marketing

KNOXVILLE -- The University of Tennessee System has begun the search for a new vice president for communications and marketing.

The committee, chaired by UT Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs Johnnie Ray, kicked off the search Oct. 24 in its first meeting. The committee reviewed the job description and discussed the importance of this position. Chief Human Resources Officer Linda Hendricks will serve as the recruiter and advisor for this search. The search website went live today.

The vice president for communications and marketing oversees the communications and marketing operations of the UT System, including strategic communications, crisis communications, issue management and fostering institutional trust. He or she will work closely with policy makers, industry and public service leaders, the media and our campuses and institutes across the state to promote the UT System. This position leads the marketing and public relations office.

In addition to Ray, the committee includes 16 members representing the University and outside relationships:

• Anne Holt Blackburn, UT trustee and alumna, anchor WKRN-TV Nashville
• Chuck Cantrell, associate vice chancellor for university relations, UT Chattanooga
• Elizabeth Davis, assistant director for media relations, UT System
• Tom Griscom, UC Foundation representative and alumnus
• Mike Hardin, electronic communications manager, UT System
• Anthony Haynes, vice president of government relations and advocacy, UT System
• Doug Minter, business development manager, Knoxville Chamber
• Margie Nichols, vice chancellor for communications, UT Knoxville
• Lorna Norwood, director of marketing and communications, UT Institute of Agriculture
• Jerald Ogg, provost and vice chancellor, UT Martin
• Stacey Patterson, assistant vice president for research, UT System
• Tom Rakes, chancellor, UT Martin
• Bryan Samuel, director of affirmative action, UT Chattanooga
• Charles Wharton, UT trustee and alumnus
• Candace White, associate professor of public relations, UT Knoxville
• Alice Bowling-Wirth, lecturer in communications, UT Knoxville

The new vice president will replace Hank Dye who retired from the University earlier this year.

For more information about the position and search process, visit tennessee.edu/execsearch/communication/

Contact:
Elizabeth Davis, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu