The TSLAFriends Board of Directors
The TSLAFriends Board of Directors provides leadership, advocacy and support for our work on behalf of the Tennessee State Library & Archives. United by a shared commitment to Tennessee history, preservation, education and public access, board members help build partnerships, strengthen programs and expand awareness of the extraordinary resources preserved at TSLA. Their service helps ensure that Tennessee’s stories remain protected, accessible and meaningful for generations to come.
2026 Board of Directors
Scott Williams
Carroll Van West
Virginia Gooch Watson
Founding Members
The origins of TSLAFriends date to August 2009, when the Steering Committee of the Friends, appointed by then-State Librarian and Archivist Jeanne Sugg, convened to consider the establishment of a Friends organization to support the Tennessee State Library & Archives. Sandra Nelson served as chair of the committee, whose members also included Connie Albrecht, Jami Awalt, Mary Carpenter, Norma Myers and Tom Taylor.
Following a subsequent meeting, the committee approved a set of bylaws and established the organization’s first slate of officers for the board of directors: Steve Richards, president; Ellen Myrick, vice president and president-elect; Gordon Belt, treasurer; and Mary Helms, secretary. Jami Awalt was appointed to serve as Friends liaison.
The seven members of the Steering Committee, Sandra Nelson, Connie Albrecht, Jami Awalt, Mary Carpenter, Norma Myers, Tom Taylor and Mary Helms, are recognized as Founding Members of TSLAFriends.
Founding Members of TSLAFriends are those who joined on or before Dec. 31, 2010, including those who joined before or at the organization’s first public meeting on Oct. 10, 2010.
Connie Albrecht
Jami Awalt
Gordon T. Belt
Thomas E. Byrne
Catherine E. Carmack
Mary Vaughn Carpenter
Genny Carter
Jim Charlet
Paul Clements
William D. & Fletch Coke
Dr. Rebecca Conard
Brooks E. Crowell
Frances C. Darnell
Brenta Davis
Susan R. Earl
David Ewing
Lee Fairbend
Martha O. Gerdeman
Kay Gregath
Martha Word Haley
Tre Hargett, Tennessee secretary of state — Honorary Lifetime Member
Ray & Peggy Harris
Kassandra Hassler
Jill Hastings-Johnson
Mary Helms
Mr. & Mrs. Nolan Davis Helms Jr.
Paul & Ruth Hemphill
Cherel B. Henderson
Faith Holdredge
Kim Hoover
Kathryn Hopkins
Joni Hunter Kies
Frankie Ann King
Rick Koelz
Jack Masters
Paul A. Matthews
Steve K. McDaniel, Tennessee representative
Dr. Wayne Moore
Norma Myers
Ellen Myrick
Charles L. & Sandra Nelson
Patricia S. Orr
Juanita M. Patton
Beverly Jane Pinkston
R. Stephen “Steve” Richards — Honorary Lifetime Member
Carol Roberts
Lanita Sexton — Honorary Life Member
Charles A. “Chuck” Sherrill, state librarian and archivist, 2010–2021
Theodore B. “Tim” Sloan
Kathleen Smith
Susan Smith
James Staub
Jeanne Sugg, state librarian and archivist, 2005–2010
Laine Sutherland
Tom Taylor
Celia S. Walker
Virginia Gooch Watson — Honorary Lifetime Member
Dr. Bruce Wheeler
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