Leadership Franklin Announces Class of 2026-2027

Franklin, TN – June 2026 — Leadership Franklin is pleased to announce its class of 2026–2027, which includes business leaders, law enforcement professionals, nonprofit directors, community volunteers and more. This ten-month community leadership program begins in August and concludes in May 2027.

"We are intentional in selecting established leaders who reflect a true cross-section of Franklin and Williamson County," said Executive Director Paula Harris. "Through the program, participants engage deeply with critical topics, including government, land resources, economic development, quality of life, and education — conversations that strengthen not only individual leaders but the community as a whole. To date, Leadership Franklin has developed a network of over 500 alumni who continue to shape our region and serve as leaders in our community."

  • Dustin Anderson - City of Franklin Fire Department

  • Robin Baldree - Marcoma Realty Inc.

  • Scotty Bernick - Pape-Dawson

  • Greer Bickley - Brasfield & Gorrie

  • Darci Caesar - Onward Real Estate - Darci Caesar Group

  • Christina Christiansen - Atmos Energy

  • Mary Decker - Franklin Special District

  • Denice Demers - Simmons Bank

  • Walter Denton - City of Franklin

  • Bobby Dilworth - City of Franklin Police Department

  • Chris Douse - Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC

  • Mark Fleischer - Studio Tenn Theatre Company

  • Chris Howell - Chris Howell Insurance

  • Sheriff Jeff Hughes - Williamson County Sheriff's Office

  • Jessica Jeffers - Williamson County Library

  • Nick Mann - Bridgestone Americas

  • Niya Moon - Jackson Financial Inc.

  • Sharmila Patel - The TMA Group

  • Jena Potter - Williamson, Inc.

  • Tyrus Sturgis - Heritage Foundation of Williamson County

  • Brodrick Thomas - The Refuge Center for Counseling

  • Scott Vick - FirstBank

  • Roger Walters - Community Volunteer

  • Clay Watson - Five Points Roofing

Leadership Franklin Awards College Scholarship to Local Student

Franklin, TN – May 4, 2026. Leadership Franklin has awarded a $2,000 college scholarship to Williamson County student Jessie Crockett, a current sophomore in Nursing major at Lipscomb University.

Leadership Franklin awards a scholarship annually to high school seniors or current college students who display their commitment to Williamson County through service and community leadership. The recipient is selected based on grade point average, quality of essay, and scholarship application points.

Crockett, who has a 4.0 GPA at Lipscomb, serves as a Peer Mentor in the IDEAL program, promoting inclusion for students with intellectual disabilities. As a recently named lifetime Girl Scout member, she co-leads Troop 2544, earned the Gold Award for creating seatbelt pillows for breast cancer patients, and aspires to lead a troop of underprivileged girls in the future. Crockett volunteers with One Generation Away and Project C.U.R.E., and gains hands-on nursing experience caring for elders in her community. This fall, she'll study abroad in Vienna, Austria, pursuing her passion for connecting with diverse cultures. After graduation, she plans to pursue anesthesia school, serve as a Girl Scout camp nurse and continue community service.

“Leadership Franklin has awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to local high school or college students. The scholarship program was a project for the Class of 2009,” said Paula Harris, Executive Director for Leadership Franklin. “Each year, we receive so many outstanding applications. Jessie is an example of the quality of student leaders we have in Williamson County.”