After 29 years as a TV Broadcaster, John Dwyer is President & CEO of JAG Tennessee, a Jobs for America’s Graduates affiliate; under Dwyer’s leadership, JAGTN has expanded to across the state of TN. The last ten years, JAGTN has earned the prestigious “6-of-6” Award, the highest JAG honor reflecting graduation rate and positive outcomes after high school.

A 1985 graduate of Butler University and South Bend, Indiana native, he is has been a resident of the Nashville area since 1996, and he’s among only a few dozen who have competed in the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon series all 22 years of its existence. Dwyer served on the Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee board from 2006-2012 and was board chairman for three years. He resides in East Nashville with his wife, Lynley, and dog, Lola.

Dr. Lyndi King earned her Bachelors in Elementary Education from UT Martin, a Masters in teaching from Union University, an Education Specialist degree in School Turnaround from Trevecca University, and her Doctorate in Administration and Leadership from Trevecca. She has been married for 19 years to her husband, a school district administrator, and they have two children who are in 11th and 12th grade.

Dr. King brings a passion for helping students break generational cycles of poverty through education. With her more than 16 years in education, she brings wealth of knowledge. As the resident “data nerd” for JAGTN, she is able to prove that JAGTN does what it says it does. Because of her leadership, JAGTN was able to rewrite its standards for 12th grade and add new courses and standards for 9th-11th grades, unanimously approved by the state board of education.

Nobody has done so much for JAG Tennessee, nor has put in the number of years than Jerry Jones. The University of Kentucky graduate joined JAGTN as a specialist at Fairview High School in 1989. In 2007, Jerry was promoted to Program Manager, and in 2014, became JAGTN’s Vice President/Director of Operations.

Under his leadership, he has led annual JAGTN student trips to the JAG National Student Leadership Academy in Washington DC and numerous state competitions. The schools under his observation have earned the prestigious JAG “6-of-6” Award for graduation rate and positive outcomes, the highest JAG state honor. Jerry and his wife, Janet, of 40 years, live in Nashville. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

Cathy Dennis graduated from Tullahoma High School, then from Martin College (now UT-Southern) in Pulaski with an AA in Education. She continued her education by taking classes at UT-Nashville, UT-Knoxville, UT-Martin, UT-Chattanooga, TSU and Belmont University. She didn’t give up and graduated with a Bachelor of University Studies Degree from Middle Tennessee State University and received credentials to obtain her Teacher’s License. She has over 25 years of teaching experience ranging from preschool and Early Childhood Education to teaching seniors in the JAGTN program at Franklin High School. She also has worked with Workforce Essentials as a JAGTN Career Specialist and Families First as Family Resource Specialist.

She is married to her husband, Charles, and has two daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. She is an avid sports fan and loves UT Football, Basketball and Baseball.

Lisa graduated from Dickson Co High School then completed her degree as medical assistant tech, working for 20 years as a medical assistant. She then transitioned to education, working for 12 years at Creek Wood High School. She has been with JAGTN since 2016 first as a Specialist and now in her current role as Program Liaison. Lisa lives in Charlotte, TN with her husband of 40 years, Garry. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Autumn, and 3 grandsons.

After 33 years in the classroom, Juanita Melton joins JAGTN part time as the East TN Data Liaison. She will bring her JAGForce and curriculum knowledge to the programs in the East TN Region!