Independent Director Age: 76 Director Since: 2022 Ms. Ackermann founded and was CEO of a 40-year-old public relations firm, Ackermann Marketing & PR, prior to its recent merger with Design Sensory, one of Tennessee s largest advertising and digital agencies. She currently serves as senior strategist and business development consultant with Design Sensory and is recognized nationally as a speaker and author on the topic of how to grow a successful professional services firm. Leadership: Ms. Ackermann has extensive knowledge of business growth, strategies and marketing. She brings experience in business acuity with her lengthy marketing and PR career. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for her leadership roles. Industry & Finance: Ms. Ackermann has been at the helm of Ackermann PR for over 40 years. She founded the firm in 1982 after serving as Director of Corporate Marketing and Promotions for the 1982 World s Fair. She was responsible for generating millions in revenue and worked primarily with Fortune 500 companies. Her firm has become one of the top mid-sized, independent PR firms in the South. In its first five years, the company grew over 650 percent, placing Ackermann PR on Inc. magazine s list of fastest-growing companies in the country, and the firm has continued its track record of growth and impressive client acquisitions. Civic Involvement: Ms. Ackermann is very involved in community organizations as a volunteer and serves on multiple boards of directors, including East Tennessee Children s Hospital, UT Development Council, UT College of Communications Board of Visitors and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, among others. She is a recent past member of the board of directors of the U.S. Council for PR Firms in New York and is a founding member of the Croft Society, a group of 20 of the top regional PR firms in the country. Past community board involvements include numerous organizations.