Board Members

Upper Cumberland Workforce Solutions is led by a locally nominated Board of Directors (Board) that is representative of the Upper Cumberland region it serves: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overturn, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White counties. This Board operates under the following guiding principles: Sustainable Partnerships, Economic Opportunity, and Strategic Vision for Change.

The 26-member Board consists of 60% private sector representation, while the remaining 40% is comprised of education, community-based organizations, labor, vocational rehabilitation, public assistance, and employment service representatives in addition to serving as the governing body of the 501(c)3. This Board is responsible for the planning, evaluation, oversight, and fiscal accountability of the Workforce services and programs of the Upper Cumberland region.

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