Board of Trustees
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Merrill Eckstein
Chairman Merrill brings a wealth of sports knowledge to his position through his years of experience. Eckstein retired in 2014 after having served 17 years as President of the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee (1992-2009), followed by five years as the Executive Director of Finley Stadium (2009-2014).
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J. Wayne Cropp
Vice Chairman J. Wayne Cropp is a member of the Business Department at Baker Donelson, with a focus on economic development and environmental law. As a graduate of Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, Wayne has experience in business, charitable organizations, non-profits, and politics. Wayne is married to Diane, and they have three children and 8 grandchildren. Wayne and Diane reside in Hixson, TN and attend First Presbyterian Church on Chattanooga.
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Jane Wilkey
Treasurer Jane was born and raised in Dayton, Tennessee. She grew up with brothers who pushed her to excel in sports, as well as academics, and with parents and grandparents who took her to church at every opportunity and taught her to love Jesus. Jane earned both her Bachelors and MBA degrees at Bryan College, also located in Dayton, Tennessee. She has worked at Suburban Manufacturing Company in Dayton for 39 years, progressing from a staff accountant to her current role as Vice President over finance, customer service, and information technology.
Jane and her husband enjoy going to estate sales and visiting with their daughter and son-in-law. When Jane isn’t spending time with family, you can find her in her hobby room, working in the garden, bicycling, hiking, or working out with friends. |
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Jim Suddath
Board Member Jim was a graduate of Woodward Academy, Duke University, and Columbia Biblical Seminary. He spent 25 years in Church ministry at First Presbyterian Church - Chattanooga, TN, Evangelical Community Church - Jackson, TN, and Fellowship Bible Church - Dalton, GA. Jim currently teaches and coaches at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN while being active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Men’s Ministry, and Northshore Fellowship Church, Chattanooga, TN - serving as an elder. Jim has been married for 39 years to Jennifer Young Suddath from Princeton, NJ having four grown and married children and nine grandchildren.
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Mark Kleiner
Board Member |
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Werner Slabber
Board Member Werner was born in Tennessee but grew up in Shoemansville, South Africa. Werner discovered his love for architecture at a young age. Determined to become an architect, he worked in construction and studied under architects, paying his way through school. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Pretoria, Werner started his own firm, Werner Slabber Architect. In 2007, Werner, his wife, and their three children moved back to the US, taking root in Chattanooga.
After 30 years of relevant work experience, Werner doesn’t lack experience in any project type. His work crosses every industry, and he is proficient in all aspects of design. Chattanooga has offered him some of his favorite adaptive reuse projects though. He excels at redesigning old structures into usable, meaningful spaces, further preserving the history of an area. It is evident at first meeting that Werner is enthusiastic and passionate about his career in architecture. Considering his depth of experience, he enjoys teaching others, but also thrives on learning new techniques that come with the everchanging technology. When Werner isn’t at the office or tinkering with his 1989 Chevy at home, if you can track him down, he is likely cycling, fishing, or perfecting his underwater photography on a fly-fishing excursion. He also enjoys time volunteering in the community as a member of the Signal Mountain LIONS Club and serving on the board for NACA Sports. |
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Dan Saieed
Board Member |
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Scott Martin
Board Member Martin is currently a private wealth advisor for the Private Wealth division of Ronald Blue Trust in Atlanta, GA. Prior to working at Ron Blue, Martin worked as an investment advisor with Atlanta-based independent wealth management and investment research firms. Martin was also CEO and co-founder of Capstone Investment Group, a financial planning and wealth management firm in Atlanta. He earned his Bachelor of Science in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama. He is active in his community and sits on the board of trustees for Oak Grove Young Children’s School. Martin and his wife LeAnn have two children.
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Paul Lee
Board Member Lee is a retired Chattanooga Police Department Captain, with 29 years of law enforcement service. He has worked on several specialized units including Federal Task Forces, five years as a Hostage Negotiator and five years on the SWAT Team. He has been an FCPO member since 1995, is a former Chapter Chairman and has served in various capacities on the National Board. Lee and his wife Donna have five adult children and four grandchildren.
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Larry Zehnder
Board Member Larry has 45 years of experience working in Public Recreation and Parks services in city and county governments of Greenville, SC and Cleveland, Ohio with Administrative Positions with the City of Athens, TN, Charleston, SC, Norfolk, VA, and Chattanooga, TN; as well as, the Southeastern Regional Director of the National Rec and Park Association (10 southern states).
Additional public service experience to include State President of the Parks and Recreation Associations in Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Chairman of the Board of Directors SE TN American Red Cross and Board of Directors member at National Park Partners in Chattanooga, National Association of Christian Athletes, and the Tennessee Cumberland Trails Association. Larry was also recently appointed by the TN Governor to serve on the State of Tennessee Heritage Conservation and Trust Fund board. |
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Nathan Walldorf
Board Member |
