NCEL STAFF
Kim Harmon serves as the Executive Director of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. A Tennessee native, Kim Harmon previously served thirty years with the State of Tennessee with the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration (F&A), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. As the Inspector General of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in F&A from 2018 to 2022, Kim led OIG to identify and investigate TennCare recipient fraud by conducting timely, thorough, and accurate investigations. From 2001 to 2018, Kim worked at TBI, initially as a Special Agent investigating Medicaid provider fraud for ten years and then as the Special Agent in Charge for the TBI Training Division. Kim began her state service with Revenue as an auditor and then Special Agent. Kim graduated Carson-Newman College in 1987 with a BS in Accounting, and in 2017 with a Master in Public Service degree from Tennessee State University. Her leadership training includes TGEI, TGMI, LEAD, TBI Leadership Academy, Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange, and FBI LEEDA trilogy. She is married to a funny, hardworking, and smart man named Randy. She enjoys laughing with her family which includes two daughters, a son-in-law, and a very special grandchild.
Kim Harmon
Executive Director, NCEL
615-532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
kim.harmon@tennessee.edu
Adela Bonta serves as Training Coordinator of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Public Service. Prior to joining NCEL, Adela worked in secondary education and higher education for over 15 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in French and English from Babes-Bolyai University in Romania, a master’s degree in English with a specialization in TESL from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a master’s in business administration with a concentration in human resources management from Saint Leo University in Florida. She has designed, facilitated and implemented retreats, workshops and various university programs. She loves learning and is a firm believer that effective training promotes individual growth, strengthens teams and improves organizational effectiveness. In her free time, she enjoys reading and taking long walks with her husband and their 3-year-old Golden Retriever. Trent Clagg serves as a Training Specialist of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee's Institute of Public Service. Originally from Idaho, Trent Clagg has been involved in service and leadership for several years. He is the product of three generations of leaders and speakers. He is a graduate of Lee University earning a degree in Communications, with an emphasis in Telecommunications. Later on he received his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. He married Mary Hamilton in 2000, and they moved to Lenoir City, TN. In 2002, he accepted the position as the Manager of the Clayton Performing Arts Center at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, TN. After serving almost ten years, Trent accepted a position at Lincoln Memorial University to work in the Assessment department and successfully aided the Carter and Moyers School of Education in attaining the honorable National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Accreditation (NCATE). Trent has served in multiple leadership capacities in his career including a local non-profit where he has served as a motivational speaker since 2006. He has been a featured speaker at several camps in the Pacific Northwest as well as many venues in East Tennessee. He enjoys spending time with his family, discovering the outdoors, and horseback riding. Trent and his wife Mary have three beautiful daughters, Abby, Annabeth, & Amelia. Patrick Mills serves as Coordinator of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service. Before coming to NCEL, Patrick Mills served as Training Coordinator for University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). While at MTAS, Mills coordinated events statewide for the many programs MTAS offers. Mills has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee. He is an active member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD). Patrick Mills is from Maryville, Tennessee; he is an active member in the community and in his free time, loves being outdoors, traveling and playing golf. Will Porter serves as a Training Specialist of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service. Prior to joining NCEL, Will worked in Training & Development and Human Resources roles at both Encompass Health and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In these roles, Will coordinated training activities, assisted with leadership development programs, and served as a resource in employee development and coaching. Will received a bachelor of Business Administration from Auburn University and obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In his free time, Will enjoys spending time outdoors, tennis, and reading. Jeff Stiles serves as the Leadership Programs Manager of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. Jeff Stiles served the citizens of Knoxville as an officer with the Knoxville Police Department for 28 years, retiring as a Captain. During his career, he served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, police academy instructor, supervisor of the Field Training Program, Organized Crime Unit supervisor, Training Director, and Commander of Tennessee’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. He also served as a member of the Department’s Special Operations Squad (SWAT) for 20 years. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He is also a graduate of the Southeastern Command and Leadership Academy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (Class 256). He completed his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2014. For nearly 25 years, Jeff has facilitated and managed training sessions for local, state, and federal government employees, as well as numerous private companies across the nation. In his free time, he enjoys camping and hiking. He is married to Amy and has three children and three grandchildren. Since 2019, Tanya has served as a Training Specialist for the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL) at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. Prior to joining the university, she served the State of Tennessee for 15 years in the Departments of Health, Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities, and Correction. Tanya has earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics, a master’s degree in Business Administration, and a graduate certificate in Public Administration/Executive Leadership from Tennessee State University. She is a recent graduate of the Certified Public Manager program as well as a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, and serves as an Executive Coach. Tanya has volunteered as a tnAchieves mentor for over five years and is a board member for two organizations - a local comprehensive health center as well as a nonpartisan organization established to engage, encourage and endorse qualified women to be elected to public office. She is a member of the Junior League of Nashville where she has worked on the Needs of Nashville and Advocacy committees, and currently serves as the Chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Education and Events. A native of Nashville – Tanya resides there with her husband, Andrayus, and their four beloved children.
Adela Bonta
Training Coordinator
226 Anne Dallas Dudley Boulevard, Suite 400, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
adela@tennessee.edu
Trent Clagg
Training Specialist, NCEL
865.974.6627 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
trent.clagg@tennessee.edu
Abby Claud
Administrative Associate, NCEL
226 Anne Dallas Dudley Boulevard, Suite 400, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
abby.claud@tennessee.edu
Keith McGee
Training Specialist, NCEL
615-5323555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
keith.mcgee@tennessee.edu
Patrick Mills
Training Coordinator, NCEL
865.974.6624 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
patrick.mills@tennessee.edu
Will Porter
Training Specialist, NCEL
615-253-6386 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
william.porter@tennessee.edu
Jeff Stiles
Program Manager, NCEL
865-974-8625 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
jeff.stiles@tennessee.edu
Tanya Washington
Training Specialist, NCEL
615-532-3731 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Nashville, TN 37219
tanya.washington@tennessee.edu