MEET OUR COMMITTEE OF BLIND VENDORS

The Committee of Blind Vendors is an 11-member body that works collaboratively with management staff in administering Tennessee Business Enterprises. Their peers from across the state elect the 11 individuals. They represent the views of TBE's 160+ licensed managers and participate with management personnel in most major administrative decisions. These dedicated individuals serve strictly on a voluntary basis and work as full partners with management in furthering the mission of Tennessee Business Enterprises. We are pleased to introduce you to our Committee members.

Dewayne Cox Tel: 865-694-6409 (Work) E-mail: vendor1dc@comcast.net

Dewayne serves as the Chairperson of the Committee. He has served on the Committee for a total of 12 years and has been a TBE licensed Manager since 1991. He currently operates TBE's vending location at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville. This is a large automated vending location that serves over 8000 students and staff. Before joining TBE, Dewayne worked for 17 years in management with Red Food Stores in the Chattanooga area.

Mary Baker, Vice-Chair Tel: 615-253-5395 (Work) E-mail: mbtn@comcast.net

Mary Baker is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.  She has been a TBE Manager for 13 years and has served on the Committee since 1995.  She serves as the Chair of the Committee's Budget Subcommittee. She currently manages TBE's facility in the Tennessee Tower in Nashville.  Prior to joining TBE, she held jobs both with the state and federal governments.  Her husband, Steve, is also a licensed TBE Manager and operates the vending at the Metro Center Plaza Tower.

Billy Brumlow, Secretary  Tel:  423-634-1166 (Work)  E-mail:  billybrum@msn.com

Billy is one of two Committee members who represents the Chattanooga area.  He manages TBE's facility at the TVA Complex-Lookout Place in Chattanooga.  He has been a licensed Manager with TBE since 2003, and is serving his second term as a Committee representative.  He serves as Chair on the Awards and the Training Subcommittees.

Ralph Brown  Tel: 901-545-8283 (Work)  E-mail: rbrownjr2@comcast.net

Ralph is one of two representatives from the Memphis area and is in his second term on the Committee.  He now manages vending at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.  He has been a licensed TBE Manager since 1994.  He is Chair of the Insurance & Retirement Subcommittee as well as serves on the Personnel, Strategic Planning  and Awards Subcommittees.

Jan Jones  Tel:  615-430-3917 (Work)  E-mail: janjones@comcast.net

Jan Jones is a native of Texas. He has been a TBE Manager since 1980 and has served on the Committee for the past 16 years.  He serves on the Training, Awards, Insurance & Retirement, and Strategic Planning Subcommittees. He manages the vending location at the Welcome Center located on Interstate-65 coming in from Kentucky. Besides being a well-established TBE Manager, Jan is an accomplished musician.

Lance Morris Tel: 901-488-0612 (Work) E-mail:  n4gmt@comcast.net

Lance is the most tenured member of the Committee having served for a total of 21 years.  He served as the Chairperson of the Committee for 8 years.  He now chairs the Strategic Planning Subcommittee as well as the Repair & Maintenance Task Force.  He also serves on the Rules and Regulations and Training Subcommittee.  Lance has been a TBE Manager for 34 years and now operates a vending route that includes all of the satellite U.S. Postal facilities in the Memphis area. Before joining TBE, Lance attended the University of Memphis for 3 years and worked in construction. His wife, Marie, is also a TBE Manager.

Debbie Propst Tel: 423-612-7556 (Work) E-mail: mppropst@embarqmail.com

 

Debbie Propst - Debbie is the Manager of TBE Vending Facility #484 on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.  She has been a TBE Manager since 1988.  She is serving her second stint as a member of the Committee representing Managers in Upper East Tennessee.  She serves on the Budget, Personnel, and Repair/Maintenance Subcommittees.  In addition to serving on the Committee, Debbie serves as President of the Tennessee School for the Blind Alumni Association and as a board member of the Tennessee Association of Blind Merchants. 

 

Jody Shaw  Tel: 615-868-1113 (Work)  E-mail:  jrs3147@comcast.net

 

Jody Shaw - Jody is a newcomer to the Committee and is serving his first term representing the Managers in middle Tennessee.  He serves on the Legislative, Budget, and Personnel Subcommittees.  Jody currently managers TBE Facility #534 which is the inmate commissary at the CCA facility in Nashville.  He has been a licensed blind vendor since 1999.  Jody is also active with the Tennessee Association of Blind Merchants where he serves as a board member. 

Mike Smith  Telephone: 931-239-5771 (Work)   E-mail:  vendman@frontiernet.net

Mike has been with TBE since 1992.  He currently manages the highway vending at the Smith County Welcome Center at I-40W in Carthage.  He was the 2003 Statewide Manager of the Year and is in his second term as a member of the Committee.

John Spencer Tel: 731-228-2448 (Work) E-mail:jspencer-1@charter.net

John manages TBE's facility at the Hardeman County Correctional Center in Whiteville, Tennessee.   He has been a TBE Manager since 1989.  He represents the Managers from rural West Tennessee and is serving his second term on the Committee.

Kim Williams  Tel: 423-843-7108 (Work)  E-mail:  rkvend@aol.com

 

Kim Williams - Kim manages and operates the vending at the TVA Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant in Soddy Daisy.  She represents the Managers in Southeast Tennessee.  She returns to the Committee after taking a one term hiatus.  She serves on the Budget, Legislative, and Insurance Subcommittees.  In addition to her role on the Committee, Kim serves as President of the Tennessee Association of Blind Merchants, Secretary of the National Association of Blind Merchants, and a member of the State Rehabilitation Council.