KUB

Cynthia Gibson - Chair

cynthia.gibson@kub.org

Cynthia Gibson is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Bush Brothers & Company. While at Bush, she has had responsibility for board governance matters, legal and external affairs, human resources, sustainability, foodservice, and the Bush’s Visitor Center and Café. Previously, Gibson was an executive at Scripps Networks Interactive where she was responsible for board governance, legal and business affairs, government affairs, and internal audit. Gibson serves as a director for The Trust Company of Tennessee, a privately held financial services firm based in Knoxville. She currently serves on the board of the Knoxville Area Urban League. Gibson holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia. She is a member of Leadership Tennessee, Class VI and Leadership Knoxville Class 2013. She has been named among the Best Lawyers in America and received the Lizzie Crozier French Women’s Leadership Award and was a Trefoil Society Honoree by the Girl Scouts. Gibson was named a 2026 East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame Laureate for her significant and positive impact on the East Tennessee region. Active in the philanthropic community, Gibson has previously served on many nonprofit boards, including the United Way of America, the United Way of Greater Knoxville, The Episcopal School of Knoxville, and Zoo Knoxville. Gibson and her husband live in downtown Knoxville, have three children, and love family travel and outdoor activities.

Kathy Hamilton - Vice Chair

kathy.hamilton@kub.org

Kathy Hamilton is a CPA (inactive) and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for HealthCare 21 Business Coalition; Vice President of Finance, Administration, and Human Resources for the Shelton Group; Chief Financial Officer of DoubleJay Creative; Director of Finance at Connex South; and Finance Director of Knox County Government. Hamilton has a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Tennessee. A graduate of Leadership Knoxville class of 1993, Hamilton currently serves as Treasurer for the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and nonprofit radio station WDVX, and as President for the Executive Women’s Association. Hamilton also serves on the Finance Committee for her church and is a University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Associate.

Sara Hedstrom Pinnell

sara.hedstrom.pinnell@kub.org

Sara Hedstrom Pinnell is the Founder and President of Hedstrom Landscape Architecture, an award-winning, full-service design firm based in Knoxville. Her board service has included the City of Knoxville Public Arts Committee, the East TN Community Design Center, and the YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. Her professional memberships have included the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, and the Executive Women's Association. She has also received numerous awards and honors including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award, the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Women-Owned Business Excellence Award, and the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Pinnacle Award. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Temple University in 1996 and was a graduate of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2016. Hedstrom Pinnell is a volunteer for her son’s boy scout troop, and is a caretaker, with her husband and son, of honeybees, laying hens, and two dogs.

Ron Feinbaum

ron.feinbaum@kub.org

Ron Feinbaum is the Chief Marketing Officer at PYA PC., a professional services firm based in Knoxville, TN, with offices in Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa, Charlotte, Kansas City, and Helena, MT. The firm serves clients across the entire country, providing expertise in areas such as accounting, consulting, and advisory services. Before joining PYA PC, Feinbaum was a member of Boldsquare, Inc., a multi-disciplined strategy and communications practice. He spent over 23 years at Scripps Networks Interactive in various roles, including Senior Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Products and Home Promotions. In this role, he negotiated contracts and developed marketing and promotional efforts for major digital initiatives like the HGTV Dream Home. Feinbaum holds an Executive MBA from the University of Tennessee. He has also served on several local and national boards, both corporate and nonprofit, including Random Acts of Flowers, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation.

Phyllis Nichols

phyllis.nichols@kub.org

Phyllis Nichols is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of the Knoxville Area Urban League. She joined the Urban League in l994, following a career in public education and private business, and was appointed CEO in 2000. During her time as CEO, she expanded the Urban League impact to serve over 11,000 individuals and families annually through programs to provide a skilled and diverse workforce, increase and retain homeownership, support economic and small business development, gain certification of the affiliate as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and advocate for equity and excellence in education for students of color. Nichols is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee, Leadership Knoxville class of 2003, and Class V of Leadership Tennessee. She has also received numerous awards and recognitions, including the “Be More” Person of the Year by East Tennessee Public Television, the UT College of Communications Diversity Award, the 2016 Lizzie Crozier French Leadership Award, the 2022 Jim Haslam Business Leadership Award, and the YWCA of Knoxville Tribute to Women Awards. Nichols was also recognized by The Tennessee Human Rights Commission and the Knoxville NAACP for her advocacy for civil rights and social justice. Phyllis Nichols currently serves on the Truist Advisory Board, the Knoxville Symphony Board and the APEX Leadership Council.

Pete Pearson

pete.pearson@kub.org

Pete Pearson is the Chief Executive Officer for Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic (KOC), which provides orthopaedic clinical care, advanced imaging, therapy, and orthotics services with over 50 physicians and approximately 100 other providers. KOC also manages 22 operating rooms and operates an insurance captive along with associated real estate entities. Prior to joining KOC, Pearson was a principal with a national healthcare consulting firm where he advised healthcare clients on strategic, financial, and operational matters. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Infantry, and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Pearson holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mercer University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. He currently serves on advisory boards for the Haslam College of Business MBA Program and Pellissippi State Community College.

Dr. Craig Pickett Jr.

craig.pickett@kub.org

Dr. Craig Pickett, Jr., serves as the Director for Talent Development and Engagement at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he oversees youth development and pathway programs, and all training and organizational development for an organization of 7,000 team members across 21 counties in East Tennessee. Dr. Pickett earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College in 2008 before earning his master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2010. He completed his PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in August of 2022. His doctoral research earned national recognition, including the 2022 Dissertation of the Year Award through the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA). Dr. Pickett served as the former Vice Chair for the Knoxville Area Urban League National Achievers Society, a member of the African American Equity Restoration Taskforce, a Wisdom Council Member for the Apex Leadership Initiative and a member of the Alpha Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., along with serving as both a Deacon and Director of Worship at Overcoming Believers Church. Dr. Pickett has received notable recognitions, including the 2023 Knoxville Area Urban League Volunteer of the Year and being named one of Knoxville’s 40 Under 40 for the Class of 2022.

KUB Commissioner Selection Process

Thank you for your interest in joining KUB’s Board of Commissioners. The commissioner selection process begins in August. The online application and more information will be available at that time.