Drew Leach
Board Chair
Drew devises in-depth goals based planning strategies for families facing complex financial issues on the Potter Group at Merrill Lynch. Drew graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In the community, he is active with Kiwanis International, Lakeway Ducks Unlimited, which he serves as Co-Chairman. He and his wife, Jordan, and daughter Olivia are members of First United Methodist Church. He enjoys many outdoor pastimes including fly fishing, waterfowl and upland hunting.
E-mail: michael.d.leach@ml.com
Company Website: The Potter Group
Aleighia Helderman
Board Chair-elect
Aleighia and her husband Jared Helderman have three labradoodle fur babies Lily, Layla, and Lexi and are expecting a baby girl in August. Aleighia loves spending time outdoors whether it be snow skiing or on the lake. She also owns Kingsport Pediatric Dentistry.
E-mail: aleighia_barker@hotmail.com
Company Website: Morristown Pediatric Dentistry
Avery Swinson
Secretary
Avery is the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Development at Walters State Community College. As a proud Walters State alumna, she is passionate about access to higher education and student success. She earned her AS degree in Psychology from Walters State and her BS degree in Psychology and M.Ed. in Student Personnel from ETSU. In her spare time, she is a big sports fan and loves cheering on her teams!
E-mail: avery.swinson@ws.edu
Company Website: Walters State Community College
Brandon Tomassoni
Member at Large
Brandon is from Morristown, Tennessee. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 2007. He has worked as a Sales Representative with Holston Gases since 2012. He has 3 rescued dogs, Achilles, Marley, and Holston, along with a Cat, Lilly. He enjoys going to rock concerts, microbreweries, and playing golf.
E-mail: brandon.tomassoni@holstongases.com
Company Website: Holston Gases
Cameron Felty
Member at Large
Cameron is a long time resident of East Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 2010 and then completed his Juris Doctorate at the University of Alabama. He became an agent for State Farm after graduation. In his spare time he enjoys duck hunting, dog training, fishing, and sporting clays. He is active in the community as a BNI member, Chamber of Commerce Gold member, and Ducks Unlimited board member.
E-mail: cameron.felty.fygc@statefarm.com
Company Website: State Farm Insurance
Katherine Smith
Chair of Member Integrations
Katherine is a skilled marketing and sales professional. She joined Strate Insurance Group in 2018 and serves as Business Insurance Sales Agent as well as Marketing Director for the agency. She has received her Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation.
Katherine enjoys participating in extracurricular and service activities as well. While at The University of Georgia, she served two terms on the Executive Board for the Public Relations Student Society of America, earned her certificate of leadership from the Terry College of Business Institute for Leadership Advancement and served as a school ambassador as a part of The Arch Society. She studied improvisational theater and is a graduate of Dad’s Garage Improv Training in Atlanta. She has also completed leadership training at Emory Business School in Atlanta.
Katherine is married to her husband Kevin, and they welcomed their first child, Charlotte, in July 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys being around friends and family, traveling, baking, theatre and music.
E-mail: ksmith@strateinsurance.com
Company Website: http://www.strateinsurance.com
Kris Yarlett
Member at Large
Kris was born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee. He has been married to his wonderful wife Hannah for 3 years. They are active foster parents and have a dog named Scooter. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, University of Arkansas, and Golden Gate University. He is currently a financial advisor with Edward Jones where he has worked since 2013.
E-mail: kris.yarlett@edwardjones.com
Company Website: Edward Jones
Kristina Veit
Recruitment Chair
Franchise Manager of Express Employment Professionals- HR Solutions, Recruiting, Staffing, Direct Placement, contract staffing. Has been with Express for 14 years and has worked in Morristown for 6 years.
E-mail: Kristina.veit@expresspros.com
Company Website: Express Pros
Leigh Ann Allen
Social Committee Co-Chair
Leigh Ann currently works for Commercial Bank as VP, Commercial Lender where she provides various types of financing for business owners. She is a graduate of Bethel University and University of Tennessee. She has a MBA and a bachelor's degree in Economics. She and her husband Robert live with their two dogs, Lexi and Woody, and enjoy traveling, hiking, and skiing. She is actively involved in various community organizations as well as her church. In her downtime, she enjoys reading mystery novels and shopping online at Amazon Prime.
E-mail: lallen@cbtn.com
Company Website: Commercial Bank TN
Lesley Ronning
Recruiting Co-Chair
Lesley is Sole Proprietor of LR Konsept. She currently works as a project manager with an engineered I-joist manufacturer in Norway. A former construction project manager. She has more than fifteen years of experience in the building construction and design industry. Lesley is a graduate of Valencia College and the University of Florida's School of Architecture.
Lesley moved to Morristown from Pittsburgh, PA in the summer of 2017 with her husband, daughter and cat Tubs. They stumbled upon Morristown on a quest for their ideal place to live. They have since purchased a home in nearby New Tazewell, TN. Lesley and her husband Roar have been active members in HYPE events.
In her spare time Lesley enjoys rediscovering the world through the eyes of their 2yo daughter, learning, traveling, being outdoors, and taking on new projects and challenges to improve herself and make the world a better place.
Her latest project is to start a "new moms" group in Hamblen County. "Supporting women in one of the greatest, most difficult transitions in their lives, becoming mothers."
E-mail: lrkonsept@gmail.com
Sabrina Seamon
Member at Large
Sabrina Seamon is the Deputy Director of Clinch-Powell RC&D, a non profit that serves the areas between Knoxville and the Tri Cities in affordable housing, environmental conservation, and community development efforts. Sabrina moved to Morristown in 2014, and credits Hype for nearly all of the friends she has made in the Morristown area. Sabrina organizes the Hype kickball team. Beyond Hype, Sabrina is a Chamber Ambassador, and enjoys attending local events and fairs. Goal for HYPE: Continued growth and further help more young professionals whom have relocated to the area, integrate into the broader community.
E-mail: sabrina@clinchpowell.net
Company Website: Clinch-Powell RC&D
Scott Voigt
Communications Co-Chair
Scott is a General Manager for Orbit Industries, Inc. East Coast Distribution Center with a demonstrated history of working in the building materials industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Sales, Computer Literacy, Cold Calling, and Sales Operations. Strong operations professional with an Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) focused in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects from Brooks College.
