Board of Visitors
In 1989, a group of prominent Memphis business and community leaders, led by Robert Fogelman, formed a board to guide the president of The University of Memphis in attaining excellence and national recognition for the University. This group, known as the Board of Visitors (BOV), was the first of its kind in the state. They were charged with raising the University's national stature and enhancing the school's relationship with the local community.
Among its activities, the BOV works to enhance the image of the University and was supportive of the successful name change to the University of Memphis in 1994. It also was actively involved in the selection of the last two presidents. In addition, the BOV sponsors the Eminent Faculty Award that encourages excellence in research, teaching and outreach. This prestigious award, that comes with a $20,000 stipend completely funded by the BOV, was renamed in 2006 as the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award after former Chairman Willard Sparks. In 1999 the board was restructured and began assisting the University in the areas of programs, fundraising and strategic planning. The full board meets approximately four times each year in addition to its task force meetings.
BOV OFFICERS
Chairman
Mr. Charles Burkett
President, Tennessee &
National Banks
First Tennessee
First Horizon Corp.
Vice Chair
Mr. Tom Watson
President
Armstrong Relocation/United Van Lines
Secretary
Mr. Tom Kadien
President
xpedex
Treasurer
Mr. Ben Bryant
Executive in Residence
BOV MEMBERS
Ms. Anise Belz
Memphis City Center Commission
Ms. Carolyn Williams-Bennett
Co-Chair
Duncan-Williams Inc.
Mr. Michael Bruns
President
Bruns Holdings, LLC
Mr. Hillard Crews
Chairman
Shelby Group International, Inc.
The Honorable Paulette Delk
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Mr. Dave Ferraro
Retired Chairman & CEO
Buckeye Technologies
Mr. Art Gilliam
President
Gilliam Communications, Inc.
Mr. Willie Gregory
Director of Operations
Nike Inc.
Ms. Helen Gronauer
Shelby Ventures, LLC
Ms. Carolyn Hardy
President/CEO
Hardy Bottling Company
Mr. Don Hutson
Chairman/CEO
US Learning
Mr. George Johnson
President
BJB Administrative Services LLC
Mr. David Kustoff
Principal
Kustoff & Strickland PLLC
Mr. James Lackie
CEO
Rhyton Capital Management LLC
Mr. James McGehee
Chairman
McGehee Realty & Development Co.
Mr. Joe Orgill
Chairman
Rock Island Corporation
Mr. Elliot Perry
Former NBA Player
Mr. David Porter
President
David Porter Enterprises, Inc.
Mr. Stephen C. Reynolds
President and Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
Ms. Amy Rhodes
Dr. Trish Ring
Psychologist
Mr. Gary Shorb
Chief Executive Officer
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
Mr. Harry L. Smith
Chairman
Schilling Enterprises
Mr. Stefan Smith
President and COO
Lexus of Memphis
Ms. Rita Sparks
Sparks Enterprises
Mr. Richard Spell
Managing Director
Morgan Keegan & Co.
Mr. John W. Stokes, Jr.
Vice Chairman
Morgan Keegan & Company Inc.
Mr. Phil Trenary
Ms. Laurie Tucker
Senior Vice President
FedEx
The Honorable Diane Vescovo
Magistrate Judge
US District Court
Mr. James Vining
President Emeritus
Vining Sparks
BY VIRTUE OF POSITION
Mr. David Zettergren
VP for Business and Finance
University of Memphis
Dr. Shirley C. Raines
President
University of Memphis
Mr. Gregory Duckett (Member, Tennessee Board of Regents)
Senior Vice President
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Mr. John M. Farris (Member, Tennessee Board of Regents)
Partner
Farris Bobango Branan PLC
Anita Vaughn
President, Alumni Association
CEO, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women
HONORARY VISITORS
Mr. Frank Flautt
President
Flautt, Inc.
Mr. Robert F. Fogelman (BOV Founder and Former Chairman)
President
Fogelman Investment Company
Mr. A C Wharton, Jr.
Mayor of Memphis
Mr. Mark Luttrell
Mayor of Shelby County
LIFE VISITOR
Dr. Thomas G. Carpenter
President Emeritus
University of Memphis
