About Us
Our mission
The West Tennessee Veterans Coalition brings together the community to share information, knowledge, support and resources in order to become a unified voice in advocating for veterans in our community by identifying issues and creating solutions, without the duplication of services
Our Values
- We will value the opinions and contributions of all members with no single member’s voice or effort carrying more weight than others.
- While there is an administrative leader of the Coalition, that leader is held accountable by every member.
- It is our privilege and duty to serve our veterans as they have served us.
- We believe a unified voice will enabled us to create change.
- We will value each other and treat each other with dignity and respect at all times, and remember the Coalition exists to serve veterans and each other.
- We believe that collaboration will result in each member‘s organizations growing stronger.
Our Board Members
Jackie Utley - Chairman
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Jackie is the widow of a Vietnam Era veteran, an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and brings a lifetime of volunteer service and commitment to giving back to our team.
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
US Army Veteran
CW5 Newsom spent 33 years as a helicopter pilot and Aviation Safety Officer, and in his retirement is an active member of the Sons of American Revolution along with Quad A and several other veteran organizations.
Ed Cookenham - Security / Adjutant
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Ed Cookenham - Security / Adjutant
US Navy, SCPO (E8) Retired
34 total years of service, Ed also serves in the American Legion and VFW.
Mary Ross - Fundraising / Parade
Larry Newsom - Co-Chairman / V.I.C. Board Chair
Ed Cookenham - Security / Adjutant
Spouse of a US Navy veteran, Mary brings years of experience in sales and event planning. She works full time as the Sales Manager at the Doubletree Hotel.
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Megan has been an active volunteer with miltiary support programs since age 18, she now works full time providing resourcing, crisis intervention, and family support programs for Tennessee National Guard soldiers.
Marianna Lewis - Treasurer
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Widow of 2 veterans, grandmother to actively serving soldiers, active member of Daughters of the American Revolution Marianna brings 30 years of experience in banking and finance.
Barry Clark - V.I.C. Board Member
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Frencherry Miller - V.I.C. Board Member
SSG, US Air Force
Barry brings a heart for veterans and a mind for business as the former CEO of American Access.
Frencherry Miller - V.I.C. Board Member
Megan Holt - Communication / Administration
Frencherry Miller - V.I.C. Board Member
SGM USMC (RET)
23 years of Service, Frencherry is active in the Marine Corp League and volunteers as a Chaplin for West TN healthcare. He also owns his own rennovation and property management company.
Our Support Staff
Joshua Poole - I.T.
Hillary Poole - I.T.
Hillary Poole - I.T.
USMC Veteran
Josh has been actively involved in various organizations since his departure from the US Marine Corps in 2014. He also serves for the VFW esports gaming organization, Combat Tested Gaming.
Hillary Poole - I.T.
Hillary Poole - I.T.
Hillary Poole - I.T.
Spouse of a USMC veteran, Hillary brings many years of experience in social media editing and content creating. She also servers for the VFW esports gaming organization, Combat Tested Gaming.
