Board Members
Workforce Connections is guided by the Upper Cumberland Workforce Development Board, a locally nominated group that reflects the communities it serves across the 13-county Upper Cumberland region. The 26-member Board brings together strong private-sector leadership, making up 60 percent of its membership, alongside representatives from education, labor, community organizations, public assistance, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services. As the governing body of the region’s 501(c)(3), the Board provides oversight and fiscal accountability while helping shape workforce strategies that expand economic opportunity, strengthen partnerships, and support long-term growth throughout the Upper Cumberland.
Business Representation
Bob Young, UCLWDB Board Chair
Date Certified to Serve: July 2, 2015
County Representation: White
Organization: Custom Tool, Inc.
Ryan Barnhart, UCLWDB Vice Chair
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2018
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Highlands Economic Partnership
Jen Sherwood, UCLWDB Executive Committee
Date Certified to Serve: December 1, 2020
County Representation: DeKalb
Organization: Star Manufacturing
Melissa Allen
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2024
County Representation: Cannon
Organization: Madiston PowerTel
Barry Austin
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2023
County Representation: VanBuren
Organization: Custom Meat
Vicki Baucum
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2022
County Representation: Cumberland
Organization: Small Biz Staffing
John Bell
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2022
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Cookeville Regional Medical Foundation
Shelly Christian
Date Certified to Serve: January 1, 2024
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Live Oak Insurance
Tammy Hogan
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2021
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Mustard Seed Ranch
Billy Robbins
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2023
3County Representation: Pickett
Organization: Pickett County COC
Paulette Scott
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2023
County Representation: Clay
Organization: Twin Lakes
Chris Speck
Date Certified to Serve: June 10, 2023
County Representation: Overton
Organization: Speck Funeral Home
Richard Thomas
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2019
County Representation: Macon
Organization: American Exterior Supply
Debbie Williams
Date Certified to Serve: June 1, 2022
County Representation: Fentress
Organization: Merle Norman Cosmetics & Fashion Boutique
Joanna Williams
Date Certified to Serve: January 1, 2025
County Representation: Jackson
Organization: Twin Lakes
Kosta Yepifantsev
Date Certified to Serve: January 31, 2024
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Home Care Givers
Labor Representation
Amy Profant, UCLWDB Executive Committee
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2019
County Representation: Davidson
Organization: TN Board of Regents
Mike Franklin
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2019
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Loxx Salon
Lisa Lane
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2021
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Cummins Filtration
Tim Painter
Date Certified to Serve: July 10, 2023
County Representation: Warren
Organization: Bridgestone
Education Representation
Lynda Huddleston
Date Certified to Serve: November 1, 2016
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Putnam Co Adult Education
Tom Payne
Date Certified to Serve: December 1, 2021
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: TN Tech University
Government/Community Representation
Randall Allen
Date Certified to Serve: October 3, 2022
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Vocational Rehabilitation
Tyler Asher
Date Certified to Serve: January 2, 2025
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Tanner Cox
Date Certified to Serve: June 30, 2023
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Senator Haggerty’s Office
Angela Regitko
Date Certified to Serve: July 1, 2022
County Representation: Putnam
Organization: Economic Development