NCEL Staff

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.

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.  

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.