East Tennessee Volunteers in the Spotlight, Joe Thompson and Melissa Sykes - July 2017

Joe Thompson, Managing Director for Raymond James and Associates in Knoxville, TN became part of the ARC Board in FY16 after chairing the amazingly successful and impactful Medal of Honor event in 2015 for Knox County.  Joe immediately began working on our Lifesaver Breakfast honoring Governor Bill Haslam (2016), and the Pedal for the Red and Celebrate RED Centennial tailgating (2017).

Joe has been instrumental in helping the local chapter with collaborative opportunities at the University of Tennessee, Visit Knoxville, Blackberry Farms, Pilot/Flying J, Regal Entertainment and the Raymond James Foundation. He has played a key role in bringing ideas and energy to our board and working to raise essential fundraising dollars to support our local chapter.

Joe’s heart lies with our Service to Armed Forces (SAF) program. He serves on our local SAF committee as well as being an active member of ETMAC.

Joe is a force to be reckoned with….he has the drive and passion and desire to grow our local chapter into a self-sufficient, fundraising team of community volunteers.

Melissa Skyes is Adjunct Professor at Pellissippi Technical Community College and Former Vice President for Content Diversity (Retired) at Scripps Networks Interactive.   Melissa has served on the ARC Board since FY2014, and has been the co-chair for philanthropy for several special events: Red, White and Rock with Sara Evans (2014), Lifesaver Breakfast honoring Coach Phillip Fulmer (2015), Lifesaver Breakfast honoring Governor Bill Haslam (2016), and the Pedal for the Red and Celebrate RED Centennial tailgating (2017).

Melissa brings an amazing resume of talent, time and energy to our local board.  Her integrity and professional compass, as well as her drive for success has created a PR and Marketing template that is to be rivaled.  She gives well above 100% of her focus and desire to serve our chapter, and has absolutely allowed us to grow and meet our fundraising goals each and every year.  She even manages to volunteer her husband, daughter and grandson in some of our team fundraising efforts.

Melissa has a heart of gold and is a brilliant leader of our local philanthropy objectives!