Communication

COMMUNICATION

Frances Adams-OBrien' : Information Resources Manager, MTAS

Frances Adams-OBrien'

Information Resources Manager, MTAS

865.974.9842 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
frances.adams-obrien@tennessee.edu

I am always looking to connect people with the information and assistance they need.

Whether it is people inside MTAS or Tennessee city staff or elected officials, I am here to assist through research, reference, and knowledge management.  

_________________________

Master of Science in Information and Library Science, 1989, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology and Psychology, 1986, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC

Trent Clagg : Training Specialist, NCEL

Trent Clagg

Training Specialist, NCEL

865.974.6627 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
trent.clagg@tennessee.edu

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. 

Kim Denton : TCED Director, CIS

Kim Denton

TCED Director, CIS

865.974.8464 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
kim.denton@tennessee.edu

Kim Denton serves as the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Director for the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services.  The TCED Program provides quality training, continuing education and professional development opportunities for economic and community development practitioners and community leaders.

Denton came to the university in 2014 as Associate Director in the UT Office of Corporate & Foundation Engagement, which connects industry and foundation partners to opportunities in research, innovation, technology and economic development.  Denton also served as Associate Director of Corporate Relations in the UT Haslam College of Business, where she built a corporate engagement program and managed corporate partnerships.

Prior to coming to UT, Denton spent 15 years as President/CEO of the Oak Ridge Economic Partnership leading the economic development efforts for greater Oak Ridge.  She previously served as Marketing Director for Tennessee’s Resource Valley (now ETEDA) and as Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications for PHP Companies (now Humana).

Denton is past chair of the Tennessee Economic Partnership, past president of the Tennessee Economic Development Council and currently sits on the CDFA Tennessee Advisory Committee and Blount Mansion Board of Directors.  

Denton earned her B.S. in Marketing Communications from the University of Florida and is a Certified Economic & Community Developer.  She is married to Dennis Denton, an account manager with WW Grainger, and enjoys sports, travel and antiques.

Wes Doyle : Communications Specialist, CTAS

Wes Doyle

Communications Specialist, CTAS

(615) 532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
wesley.doyle@tennessee.edu
Liz Gossett : E-Media & Information Specialist, CTAS

Liz Gossett

E-Media & Information Specialist, CTAS

615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Boulevard, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
liz.gossett@tennessee.edu

Liz Gossett, E-Media and Information Specialist, joined CTAS in September 2012. Prior to joining CTAS, Liz was a research associate for the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Long Range Planning Division. She is originally from the Atlanta area and received a bachelor of science in 2007 in urban policy studies and a bachelor of arts in sociology in 2005, both from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Liz received her Master of Science in Information Science from The University of Tennessee in May 2015.

Hannah Holder : Information Specialist, CIS

Hannah Holder

Information Specialist, CIS

865.974.1548 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
hannah.holder@tennessee.edu

Hannah supports the Institute for Public Service and its six agencies in the strategy, brainstorming, creation, production and implementation of graphic design and digital resources. She helps promote the mission and statewide impact of the Institute for Public Service through strategic electronic and print communication. Hannah graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2014 with BFA in Graphic Design. 

Kristy Keel-Blackmon : Multimedia Creative Manager, IPS

Kristy Keel-Blackmon

Multimedia Creative Manager, IPS

8659741548 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
kristy.kb@tennessee.edu

Kristy Keel-Blackmon joined IPS in January of 2022 as the multimedia creative manager. A graduate of the University of South Carolina's School of Visual Arts and Design, Kristy brings over a decade of experience in graphic design, photography and communications to the Institute. 

 

She is a published author with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and her photography has been featured across the UT System and with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Center for American Progress, the Department of Energy, and beyond. Her design work can also be found across the UT System and at a local and national scale.  

 

Kristy is passionate about creative problem solving in written, verbal, and visual communications and about serving her community. When not at work, she can often be found volunteering with her local nature center, animal shelter, or graphic design groups. 

 

Mia Miceli : Marketing Content Specialist

Mia Miceli

Marketing Content Specialist

(865) 974-6621 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
mia.miceli@tennesse.edu
Susan Robertson : Information Specialist III, IPS

Susan Robertson

Information Specialist III, IPS

865.974.8518 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
susan.robertson@tennessee.edu

Susan joined the Institute for Public Service in January 2008 after spending three years serving as a communications manager with Scripps Networks. A native of Roanoke, Va., she graduated from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in communication (journalism). She also worked as a reporter with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevierville, account executive with two Knoxville public relations agencies and as public relations director/assistant general manager with a minor league hockey team. She received her master's degree from ETSU in 2015.