MTSU Governing Board
J.B. Baker is CEO and owner of Sprint Logistics. He attended Martin Junior College and earned
his bachelor’s from MTSU. He is the former owner and chairman of the board for Volunteer
Express and Associated Companies, having worked at the company for 30 years. He has
served on a number of professional and civic boards, including Martin Methodist College,
Goodwill Industries, Saint Thomas Hospital Health Services Fund, and the Nashville
Symphony.
Thomas R. “Tom” Boyd is an investment advisor representative with Decker Wealth Management in Nashville.
With more than four decades of experience in financial management and banking, he
previously served as a senior vice president at Bank of America. Boyd graduated from
MTSU with a Bachelor of Science degree, holds an M.B.A., and previously served with
the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Andrew "Drew" Carpenter, Student Trustee, acquired a Bachelor of Science in Community and Public Health and a Minor in Music
from Middle Tennessee State University in 2021. During his undergraduate tenure,
he was involved in, and led, several student organizations across our vibrant campus
community. Immediately following undergraduate graduation, he began a Master of Business
Administration with a Healthcare Management concentration. Simultaneously, Drew began
his first professional role as the Director of Strategic Growth for Sigma Pi Fraternity,
one of the organizations he served during his collegiate tenure. After continuing
his education and gaining additional work experience, Drew ultimately hopes to pursue
a career in Healthcare Administration.
Rick Cottle, Faculty Trustee is a 25+ year textile/apparel industry veteran who earned a B.S. Textile Technology
from Auburn University in 1984, an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2003, and
a Ph.D. in Consumer Affairs from Auburn University in 2012. He spent his time in
the textile/apparel industry in roles like manufacturing management, industrial engineering,
cost accounting, marketing, and sales. Rick joined MTSU's College of Behavioral &
Health Sciences in 2013 and teaches a broad spectrum of topics within the textile/apparel
industry. Dr. Cottle's research focuses on Three-Dimensional (3D) Body Scanning as
it pertains to the fit of apparel items to the human body. His experience as a board
member includes the Rutherford County Arts Alliance, Mainstreet Murfreesboro, Nashville
Fashion Alliance, and Nashville Fashion Week.
Pete DeLay is a Principal at Lynwood Ventures, LLC., a Nashville based investment management
company. Previously he led the Nashville office of Forterra Building Products, and before that, he was the president and owner of
Sherman-Dixie Concrete Industries Inc. He previously served on the board of trustees
of the University of the Sewanee-University of the South and he currently serves on
the Board of Trustees of Montgomery Bell Academy where he is Co-Chair of the Capital
Campaign.
Christine Karbowiak Vanek, Vice Chair, retired from her roles as Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Executive Vice President, and Vice
Chair - board of directors of Bridgestone Americas Inc., as well as her Executive
Officer and Executive Vice President roles with Bridgestone Corporation, effective
January 1, 2021. She is active in community organizations and has served on numerous
boards including the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan America Society
of Tennessee, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Franklin American Music City
Bowl (now known as the Transperfect Music City Bowl). She has received a number of
recognitions for her civic work and she recently was conferred the Order of the Rising
Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Government of Japan for her work to strengthen
Tennessee-Japan relations over the past nearly three decades. She holds bachelor’s
and law degrees from the University of Illinois.
Stephen B. Smith, Chair, serves as Chairman of Haury and Smith Contractors Inc. He has served on a number
of boards including Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati; Nashville Planning Commission;
and Chairman of the Nashville Park Board. Currently, he serves on the boards of
Capstar Bank and Williamson County Sports Authority. Smith received his Bachelors
of Science degree from MTSU in 2011. He was elected to MTSU Athletics Hall of Fame
in 2004, and received the Jennings A. Jones Champion of Free Enterprise Award in 2010.
Pamela J. Wright founded Wright Travel and built the company into one of the largest travel agencies
in the US, with offices throughout the country. She sold it in 2015. She now is
President and Managing Partner of Wright Development, a real estate investment company.
She has served on numerous non-profit boards in Nashville. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in Psychology from MTSU.
