News

Welcome New Commissioners

 

Andrea Loughry
Andrea Loughry
Steve Bailey
Steve Bailey

By Anne B. Pope, Executive Director –

Since the Tennessee Arts Commission was founded in 1967, it has maintained a 15-member governing board. The importance of this was newly emphasized through goal 5—the Commission as an effective and accountable agency—in the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan.
The Commission board recently welcomed two new members who are dedicated to moving Tennessee communities forward through the arts. Governor Haslam appointed Andrea Loughry and Steve Bailey, and we are extremely grateful for their willingness to serve. 
Andrea is a Murfreesboro native with a penchant for business and community service. She successfully founded her own insurance agency, which is now one of the largest in Middle Tennessee. She has been named a ‘Business Legend’ by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce where she served as the first female chair. Andrea is a director of the Jones Foundation, serves on the Siegel Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees for The First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro and currently chairs the Ned Ray McWherter Institute at UT Martin. She represents the 4th Congressional District and is on the Allocations Committee for the Commission. 
Entrepreneur and community volunteer, Steve lives in Knoxville where he started his business, Volunteer Lumber Sales, in 1979. In addition to the Tennessee Arts Commission, he has a long association with the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA), serving on the board since 2001. He was the KMA Board Chair from 2006-2007 and is currently serving as chair of the Finance Committee and Foundation Board. Representing the 2nd Congressional District, Steve is on the Commission’s Allocation and Audit Committees. 
Again, we welcome these two advocates and look forward to seeing their talents and experiences work for the benefit of the state, its communities and citizens.