Reelfoot Forward

In this episode, Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi shares his inspirational journey from his childhood in the northern region of Iran on the coast of the Caspian Sea to his current role as dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Passionate about the subject of leadership, Dr. Tootoonchi also provides insight on some of the principles that he believes can guide both aspiring and experienced leaders to lead their teams effectively, peacefully and productively.

This episode is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

After a successful career rising through the ranks of the FedEx Corporation in Memphis and then Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Fort Worth, Texas, Jeff Campbell returned to his hometown of Fulton, Kentucky. After discovering a need for some TLC, Campbell was inspired to contribute to his community through projects like "Let's Paint the Town" that inspired renovation and painting of more than 30 historic buildings downtown. He then funded, designed and oversaw construction of Campbell Plaza in a neglected vacant lot and joined with the Rotary Club to raise funds to develop the city’s Unity Park. Campbell then turned his visionary eye to the historic Meadows Hotel, a 100-room hotel built in 1901 in Fulton to serve the guests of the Illinois Central Railroad. After acquiring what was left of the property, he oversaw a complete reconstruction project, returning The Meadows Hotel back to its former glory. Today, the historic boutique hotel features 20 luxurious rooms, and a popular full-service bar and restaurant. In this episode, Campbell shares the story of the project and more about the challenges and rewards of seeing a need in a rural community and working with the community to meet it. More about The Meadows Hotel.

This episode is sponsored by The University of Tennessee at Martin.

In the early 1900s, the Nailling building in Union City, Tenn. was one of the most modern office buildings in the region. While the outside was brick and stone, the interior featured imported tile, beamed ceilings and elaborate fresco flooring. The owner of the building, Dr. W. A. Nailling, operated his office in three rooms of the first floor that was also occupied by Oliver’s Red Cross Drug Store. Today, that building is being given new life by David Ring, the great-grandson of Dr. Nailling. In this episode, Ring, who calls Massachusetts home, and real estate developer Ethan Watson-Hogan share more about their vision for the building, historic preservation and how strategic improvements and a long-term plan can lead to expansion and development of entire downtown.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

Dr. Karen Bowyer has been inspiring students at Dyersburg State Community College for 37 years. Bowyer's passion for STEM and teaching was ignited at a young age by watching the women in her family teach and by witnessing the monumental launch of Sputnik in 1957. After spending time teaching in Cali, Colombia and Mexico City, she settled in Tennessee to continue her journey in promoting STEM education. In this episode, she shares more about her work in higher education, especially in rural communities, that has helped students to discover their potential and has created pathways to help them succeed.

This episode is sponsored by Core10.

For the 100th episode of “Reelfoot Forward,” host Scott Williams welcomes two special guests who were part of the creation of Discovery Park from the beginning. Senior director of education, Polly Brasher, and senior director of exhibits, Jennifer Wildes, recently celebrated ten years with the museum and heritage park. They were there even before the doors were first opened on Nov. 1, 2013 and have experienced firsthand the remarkable growth and success. They’ve watched millions of children and adults benefit from the big idea of Robert Kirkland and the community of Union City, Tenn., to create a place where inspiration would happen every single day. The stories they share in this episode will be especially meaningful to anyone who is attempting to make something happen they’ve been told can’t be done.

Jonathan Lodge is a hunter, conservationist, amateur mycologist and brewer whose love of the great outdoors began as a young boy when he discovered the magic that could be found in the woods around his home in Paris, Tenn. Today, he is still passionate about what we can learn about ourselves and the world around us if we turn off our phones and head outside. He is also co-owner of Perrylodgic Brewing Co., the first and only locally-owned brewery in Paris. In this episode, Lodge shares how he and his business partner, Randall Perry, discovered the fun of making beer then left their jobs to create what is now a successful brewery and family-friendly taproom. Located on the highway headed toward bustling Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River, they also create gourmet burgers featuring made-in-house sauces, salads, tacos and more.

More about Perrylodgic Brewing Co.

https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/perrylodgic-brewing-company/239d8f4a-76e3-4604-8bdc-e0029acf5fcc

This special episode features a panel hosted by author Cindy Kent during Discovery Park’s recent Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. Kent is the editor of the book “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam” released in 2020. The panel included some of the men who are highlighted in her compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans who, before they became brothers of war, were already brothers at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR), the national agriculture fraternity. Twenty-one brothers from Alpha Upsilon served in Vietnam. All returned alive; 14 of the 17 remaining brothers participated in the “Better Men” project. “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam” is available through The Tennessee Magazine Marketplace online store at tnmagazine.org/shop and at the Discovery Park of America gift shop.

As manager of McWherter Farms, Patterson Freeman is passionate about the growth and development of a large Angus cattle operation first envisioned by the late Tennessee Gov. Ned Ray McWherter. McWherter was a strong advocate for agriculture, but his dedication to a life of public service and business kept him from seeing his plans for a large cattle operation in his hometown come to life. Today, Patterson Freeman has turned McWherter’s dream into a reality with a herd of more than 300 Angus cattle in Dresden, Tenn. In this episode, Freeman shares details about the Angus, a breed of black beef cattle that originated in northeastern Scotland, and provides a glimpse into the life of a modern cowboy.

This special episode was recorded during the celebration of David Crockett's 235th birthday at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn. Podcast host Scott Williams is Discovery Park’s president and CEO and recently published “The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee’s David Crockett.” In this program that took place in front of an audience at the museum that day, he explored how Crockett rose from the Tennessee frontier to international icon with panelists Bart Shatto and Dr. Arthur Hunt.

Shatto is a member of the original Broadway casts of Tony-nominated “Hands on a Hardbody” and “The Civil War.” He has also been seen on Broadway in ‘War Paint,” in the iconic role of Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables” and he originated the role of Quincey Morris in “Dracula.” Shatto and a team are currently working on a new play, “The Life and Times of Davy Crockett,” that takes place in Memphis the night before he departs for Texas.

Dr. Hunt is professor of Mass Media and Strategic Communication at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he teaches public speaking related courses. He has also performed a living history program for Tennessee state parks, schools and other venues called, “The Story of Davy Crockett as told by Himself.”

In this episode, Sherry Freeman shares her lifelong passion for education and her journey from the rural community of Bradford, Tenn. to her current position as executive director of the Jackson Symphony. Freeman’s passion for the arts was born from her desire to enrich the quality of life for those who call West Tennessee home. Learn more about the Jackson Symphony at https://www.thejacksonsymphony.org/.