Nashville Post's ‘In Charge 2024’ recognizes Lipscomb alumni for leadership, community impact

Kim Chaudoin | 04/23/2024

The Lipscomb University community was well represented in the Nashville Post’s recently released “In Charge 2024,” an annual list of influential leaders who are instrumental in making Nashville a thriving city and “the best it can be.” Representing Lipscomb are 22 university alumni, leaders, staff and board members who are making an impact in Nashville. 

Charles Morrow (’97), men’s soccer head coach, is also highlighted in a feature story in the publication for his success in building the program into a national powerhouse during his 19 years at the helm. Morrow enters his 20th season in 2024-25 as head coach of the Lipscomb Bisons. Since taking over the Lipscomb program in 2005, Morrow has been named ASUN Coach of the Year four times (2013, 2018, 2022, 2023), won five ASUN Tournaments (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 & 2023) and led the Bisons to five NCAA tournament appearances (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 & 2023), including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2018. 

“Lipscomb University takes great pride in its alumni who have been recognized as influential leaders within the vibrant community of Nashville,” says Stephanie Carroll, assistant vice president of annual giving and alumni/parent engagement. “From innovative entrepreneurs shaping the city's business landscape to dedicated leaders in education, Lipscomb alumni exemplify excellence and service in various fields. Their achievements reflect the university's commitment to nurturing not only academic success but also preparing our alumni for purposeful lives, making a lasting impact on Nashville and beyond.”

2024 honorees representing the Lipscomb community, along with category of recognition: 

• Vic Alexander (finance), is a 1982 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He is chief manager at Kraft CPAs, a role he has held since 1993. He joined the accounting and advisory firm in 1982 and in addition to practice, he oversees operations and management.
• Michael Anastasi ('20) (media), vice president of local news for Gannett, holds a Master of Arts in leadership and public service. A veteran journalist, he joined the Tennessean staff in 2015. He was promoted last May to lead the new nationwide Gannet role of local news.  
• LaDonna Boyd (media) graduated from Lipscomb Academy in 2003 and is president and CEO of R.H. Boyd Publishing. The company is an 117-year-old family business that is a nonprofit religious publishing company. 
• Mark Cleveland (’17) (transportation/logistics) is an entrepreneur who holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in organizational leadership and is CEO and co-founder of Hytch Rewards. The company promotes ridesharing, funded partially by state and employer partners. 
• Maura Cunningham (finance), founder and CEO of Rock the Street, Wall Street, earned a Master of Arts in civic leadership in 2012. A former finance professional, she launched the organization more than 10 years ago to draw girls into the finance profession. 

• Alé Dalton (legal) graduated from Lipscomb with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy 2012. She is a new partner at Bradley and a rising star. Her primary focuses are transactions and regulatory matters in the health care sector. 
• Mark Ezell (tourism) graduated from Lipscomb with an undergraduate degree in management in 1982. He has served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development since 2019. In this role, Ezell established the office of rural tourism. He is a former executive at Purity Dairies and Dean Foods. 
• Tony Giarratana (real estate), principal of Giarratana, is considered one of Nashville’s most high-profile developers and has had a tremendous impact on the city’s growth. Currently he is developing a 750-foot residential tower in downtown Nashville. He is a member of Lipscomb’s Board of Trustees.
• Randy Goodman (’77) (music), chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, holds an undergraduate degree in government and public administration from Lipscomb. Goodman’s extensive career includes 16 years with RCA Records and opening Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co. in 1997. He is former executive-in-residence in Lipscomb’s College of Business.
• Nicholas Gulick (The Risers) is director of development for OZ Arts Nashville and principal empowerment coach for Nicholas Gulick Coaching. He earned a graduate certificate in leadership and performance coaching in 2020. 
• Ryan Hunt (transportation/logistics) is the chief operating officer at Metropolis Technologies. He began his career at Premier Parking as account specialist and moved up the ranks to CEO in 2019. When Metropolis acquired Premier in 2022, Hunt was named COO. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible in 2010. 
• Philip Hutcheson (sports) has served as Lipscomb’s athletic director since 2009. Since that time, Hutcheson has led Lipscomb to unprecedented success as a member of the ASUN Conference and NCAA Division I. He was a member of the Bison basketball team from 1986-90 and is No. 2 on college basketball's all-time scoring list and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science-communication.

• Tom Ingram (’76) (government/politics) is a graduate of Lipscomb Academy and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Lipscomb University. The founder and chairman of The Ingram Group, Ingram is a veteran political strategist who has led several successful statewide campaigns over the years. He currently serves as a member of Lipscomb’s Board of Trustees. 
• Pat Martin (food) earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economics from Lipscomb in 1996. He is owner of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, with restaurants in Nolensville, Nashville, Louisville, Birmingham and Charleston. Martin also owns Hugh Baby’s burger chain and the new Sweetmilk Breakfast & Lunch. 
• Jeff McGruder II (finance), an alum and current member of the Lipscomb Board of Trustees, is chief relationship officer at Citizens Savings Bank & Trust. With nearly 25 years in the banking industry, McGruder is playing an instrumental role in growing this historically Black-owned bank. In addition, he has held senior leadership positions at Pinnacle Financial Partners, BB&T and Regions Financial Corporation.
• Candice McQueen (education), president of Lipscomb University since September 2021. During this time, McQueen has led Lipscomb to welcoming its largest two classes of new students, its three largest giving days in university history and the launch of a comprehensive strategic plan. Prior to her appointment as Lipscomb’s president she served as CEO of the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching and Tennessee Commissioner of Education under former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. McQueen graduated from Lipscomb in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in math-science teaching.
• Watechia Lawless Mitchell (education) is director of children and youth initiatives in the Office of Nashville Davidson County Mayor Freddie O’Connell. She is a former executive principal at Napier Elementary and community superintendent for Hamilton County Schools. She received her Doctorate of Education from Lipscomb in 2013.

• Barry Neil Shrum (music) is founder of Shrum Disney & Associates, a Music Row law firm. He specializes in licensing, royalties and copyright law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech (1982) and a Master of Arts in Bible (1997).
• Kent Taylor (food) graduated from Lipscomb in 1977 with an undergraduate degree in accounting. He open Blackstone Brewery in 1994 and has become one of the city’s leading experts in this area. 
• Shannon Terry (media) is a former standout on the Bison men’s basketball team and graduated from Lipscomb in 1992 with an undergraduate degree in finance and economics. He is a veteran entreprenuer having founded Rivals and 247Sports. Most recently Terry is founder of Outsider and On3. 
• Allie Wallace (nonprofit) is executive director of Open Table Nashville, an organization that provides homeless services. In 2012, she graduated from Lipscomb with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and in 2019 with a Master of Divinity. Wallace was appointed CEO in 2023. 
• Burton Williams (nonprofit), former administrator at Lipscomb for nearly a decade, earned a Doctorate of Education in 2015. He was appointed CEO of the Ayers Foundation in January 2023, serving as the first-ever CEO for the organization. The Ayers Foundation focuses on educational programs across Tennessee.

Lipscomb University prepares students for lives of purpose and to make an impact on the world around them. The Lipscomb leaders recognized as part of the prestigious “In Charge 2024” list are living out our mission and core values. If a member of the Lipscomb community was listed in In Charge 2024 but were not featured in this story, please email pr [at] lipscomb.edu (subject: In%20Charge%202024) .