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 and 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.
Albrecht, Connie
Awalt, Jami
Belt, Gordon T.
Byrne, Thomas E.
Carmack, Catherine E.
Carpenter, Mary Vaughn
Carter, Genny
Charlet, Jim
Clements, Paul
Coke, William D. & Fletch
Conard, Dr. Rebecca
Crowell, Brooks E.
Darnell, Frances C.
Davis, Brenta
Earl, Susan R.
Ewing, David
Fairbend, Lee
Gerdeman, Martha O.
Gregath, Kay
Haley, Martha Word
Hargett, Tre, Hon., TN Secretary of State - Honorary Life Member
Harris, Ray & Peggy
Hassler, Kassandra
Hastings-Johnson, Jill
Helms, Mary
Helms, Mr. & Mrs. Nolan Davis, Jr.
Hemphill, Paul & Ruth
Henderson, Cherel B.
Holdredge, Faith
Hoover, Kim
Hopkins, Kathryn
Kies, Joni Hunter
King, Frankie Ann
Koelz, Rick
Masters, Jack
Matthews, Paul A.
McDaniel, Honorable Steve K., TN Representative
Moore, Dr. Wayne
Myers, Norma
Myrick, Ellen
Nelson, Charles L. & Sandra
Orr, Patricia S.
Patton, Juanita M.
Pinkston, Beverly Jane
Richards, R. Stephen (Steve) - Honorary Life Member
Roberts, Carol
Sexton, Lanita - Honorary Life Member
Sherrill, Charles A. “Chuck”, State Librarian and Archivist 2010 - 2021
Sloan, Theodore B. “Tim”
Smith, Kathleen
Smith, Susan
Staub, James
Sugg, Jeanne, State Librarian & Archivist 2005-2010
Sutherland, Laine
Taylor, Tom
Walker, Celia S.
Watson, Virginia Gooch - Honorary Life Member
Wheeler, Dr. Bruce
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