Board of Directors
David Bennett
David Bennett is a career professional in the film and television industries.
David served for four years on the executive staff of Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, as Executive Director of the prestigious Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission. David worked closely with 20th Century Fox in recruiting the Oscar award-winning film WALK THE LINE to shoot in Tennessee. Bennett was also appointed by Governor Bredesen to chair the Film Production Advisory Committee. The work of that committee was the catalyst for the inagural Film Production Incentive being passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2007.
As a television producer he has worked in music, sports, episodic, reality programming and commercials. He is the Co-Creator and Producer of the television series TOUT YOUR TOWN a travel reality show for which he won an Emmy®. David produced the HDNet/PBS show THE OUTLAW TRAIL and was Supervising Producer of Dolly Parton’s CBS special A HOLLY DOLLY CHRISTMAS.
In feature film production, Bennett was Co-Producer of, THE GUNDOWN starring Peter Coyote and William Shockley. David also developed and produced the film AMBUSH AT DARK CANYON, starring Kix Brooks and Ernie Hudson.
Bennett also has been deeply involved in the Virtual Production sector of the film business, as VP of Business Development for Monolith Studios.
Bennett is the owner of Production Marketing Advisors a company that helps production companies grow though CRM-based business development and marketing. David also serves as Director of Business Development for TNDV Television.
He is a past two-term National Trustee for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and was a long-time governor for the Mid-South NATAS Chapter. He has also served on the boards of Leadership Music and the Nashville Film Festival.
Megan Brantley Gessner
Megan Brantley Gessner is a Senior Communications Specialist for Boeing's Space Launch System program, where she brings stories of space exploration to life. Most recently, she led the communications team for the historic Artemis Launch, overseeing written and visual storytelling efforts.
Before her role in communications, Megan was a reporter for several stations across Tennessee, eventually landing in North Alabama as a weekend evening anchor. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Electronic Media Production from Middle Tennessee State University.
A true creative and self-proclaimed perfectionist, Megan spends her free time painting, crafting intricate miniature dollhouses, and tackling DIY projects around her home. Her passion for the arts extends into her community work as a board member for Arts Huntsville, supporting and promoting local arts initiatives. She is also a board member for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-South Nashville chapter, representing North Alabama.
Haley Burnett
Megan Brantley Gessner is a Senior Communications Specialist for Boeing's Space Launch System program, where she brings stories of space exploration to life. Most recently, she led the communications team for the historic Artemis Launch, overseeing written and visual storytelling efforts.
Before her role in communications, Megan was a reporter for several stations across Tennessee, eventually landing in North Alabama as a weekend evening anchor. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Electronic Media Production from Middle Tennessee State University.
A true creative and self-proclaimed perfectionist, Megan spends her free time painting, crafting intricate miniature dollhouses, and tackling DIY projects around her home. Her passion for the arts extends into her community work as a board member for Arts Huntsville, supporting and promoting local arts initiatives. She is also a board member for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-South Nashville chapter, representing North Alabama.
Jimmy Chaffin
Jimmy Chaffin is a Managing Partner or Integrated Marketing, focusing on creative strategy, video production, and branded content development. With over 30 years of experience, he has traveled the globe, capturing brand-defining stories for iconic clients like Jack Daniel’s, Bridgestone, Dollar General, Goodwill Industries and the JAMAICA Tourist Board. He has also spearheaded creative efforts for leading organizations in industries ranging from energy and healthcare to education, finance, and non-profits.
His notable accomplishments include producing Jack Daniel’s first feature-length documentary, directing a marketing campaign for the Jamaica Tourist Board with Grammy winners Sean Paul and Ziggy Marley, directing a short film in the Marshall Islands on sustainable tuna fishing for the Marine Stewardship Council, and most recently produced a short film on the state of tourism in Ukraine. He is currently producing a film with the Digital Container Shipping Association to document the efforts to digitize global shipping logistics.
Jimmy has won two Emmy® Awards and received national and international recognition from the American Advertising Federation, London International Advertising Awards, U.S. Film Festival, Caribbean Tourism Association, and National Telly Awards. He was recently honored with the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal for lifetime achievement.
In addition to serving on the board of governors for the mid-south chapter of NATAS, he also serves on the board of directors of One the Avenue, a charity supporting autistic artists. He has held leadership roles with the American Marketing Association and American Advertising Federation. And charitable board roles with the March of Dimes, Franktown Open Hearts and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Education: B.S. Communications & Marketing, Lipscomb University.
Hallie Colombo
Hallie Colombo is the Membership Director for the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, bringing extensive experience from both the broadcast media and non-profit sectors. Raised in Knoxville, TN, Hallie was immersed in the broadcast industry from a young age. She later attended the University of Tennessee, where she began her professional journey as an account executive for WIVK-FM in Knoxville.
After her time at WIVK, Hallie transitioned to Comcast Spotlight. In 2018, she sought new challenges and took on a role as a membership development consultant for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Over nearly five years, she led the sales team, focusing on member development, retention, and sponsorship sales.
In 2022, Hallie and her husband, Charlie, relocated to Nashville, where she re-entered the broadcasting field by joining the WSMV TV sales team. While at WSMV, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Anderson.
Eager to return to her roots in membership and nonprofit development, Hallie was thrilled to accept the position of Membership Director at the TAB. In this role, she combines her passion for non-profit development with her dedication to serving broadcasters across Tennessee.
Jennifer Duck
Duck is a two-time national Emmy® award winner and Assistant Professor of Journalism at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She also serves as the Education Co-chair and sits on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Midsouth chapter.
Prior to her work at Belmont, Jen was a producer for notable figures such as Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, and Oprah Winfrey, among others. She began her career at ABC News in Washington, D.C., where she traveled worldwide aboard Air Force One as a White House producer, covering President George W. Bush. During her time at ABC, she also reported from the campaign trail in 2008 as President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain canvassed the country.
Jen earned her stripes as a local reporter and anchor at the NBC News affiliate in Bakersfield, California. She also dedicated time to working with non-profit organizations to raise awareness of important social issues. Her work includes producing educational campaigns for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, organizing a live event for the David Lynch Foundation, and teaching music journalism classes for the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Camp.
Jen holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University, a master's degree from Murray State University, and a doctorate from Clemson University. Her research interests include online disinformation, social media, artificial intelligence, and the rhetorics and politics of identity.
With a lifelong passion for storytelling, Jen continues to write, edit, and produce podcasts as well as award-winning documentaries with her students.
Shane Emerson
Shane Emerson is currently serving as the Vice President of Global Programming and Partnerships at All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he oversees the company’s growth strategies within content licensing, Pay-Per-View distribution, and DTC expansion. With over 15 years of experience in content distribution, he has negotiated global content deals with major Hollywood studios, TV networks, distributors, major sports leagues, news organizations, and publishers. Before his role at All Elite Wrestling, he served as Director/Producer of Global Video for Ramsey Solutions, Director of Global content strategy for Anthem Sports and Entertainment, and spent several years at Deaton-Flanigen Productions and Picture Visions Pictures. A Murfreesboro, TN native and a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, he has served on the UT alumni network board, Nashville Sports Council, and currently serving on the board of governors for the NATAS MidSouth Chapter.
Christopher Franklin
Chris Franklin is an accomplished business, media and marketing executive with more than 25 years of industry experience. He is responsible for building ABC24/CW30 brands in Memphis as he serves as the President & General Manager and Marketing Director. During his tenure, he also served as regional marketing leader responsible for overseeing seven markets across TEGNA’s portfolio of stations. He served as an officer on the ABC Network Marketing Advisory Board and is a new member of the NATAS Mid-South Board of Governors and serves on the board of Red Zone Ministries.
“Chris brings a wide range of skills and talent to his new role in Memphis,” said Paul Trelstead, senior vice president, media operations, TEGNA. “With a management style that is the embodiment of the stations’ ‘Solution Seekers’ ethos, Chris’ passion for Memphis and the people of Tennessee make him the perfect person to lead WATN and WLMT into the future.”
“I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to lead and serve our TEGNA Memphis television stations,” added Franklin. “My primary focus is on recruiting, training, and developing great people while also maintaining our strong connection with the Memphis community. As my pastor wisely emphasizes, ‘There is no impact without contact!’ It's essential to actively engage and demonstrate dedication to our entire Memphis community to foster genuine business and community relationships. I am truly looking forward to the rewarding journey that lies ahead.”
Earlier in his career, Franklin worked in leadership positions at FOX television stations, Guardsmark and at Hope Church where he served for more than a decade, most recently as director of media production. During his tenure with Hope, the church saw exponential growth, becoming a recognizable market leader in media ministry as Franklin founded the Inspire Media Conference, which trains media ministry and non-profit professionals on software, production and broadcast techniques and standards. Prior to his time at Hope, he worked for Guardsmark, the second largest security company in the world, managing video production. An award-winning marketer, Franklin is a 10-time Promax, 5-time Mid-South Region Emmy® and a PRSA VOX Award recipient.
As a proud graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, TN, he received his B.A. degree in English and minor in Mass Communications while playing college basketball.
Franklin finds joy in playing 1-minute chess games and engaging in outdoor activities. He believes family time is precious, especially with his wife, Teresa, and his daughter, Camille (16), and nieces Josilyn (10), and Miracle (23).
Aaron Gant
A distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience, Aaron Gant serves as the SVP of Production for Warner Chappell Production Music. Aaron's award-winning creativity and expertise have positioned him as a leader in the global music licensing industry. He oversees the production of innovative music projects across a diverse range of genres, fostering a culture of creativity within the company's Production Music team.
His leadership extends beyond traditional production, guiding the creation of custom music and news music solutions for a diverse clientele. His understanding of the entertainment landscape fosters seamless integration of his work into film trailers, advertisements, television shows, promos, and local and national news broadcasts worldwide. Aaron’s work has garnered multiple Local and National Emmy® awards.
Kristin Hall
A longtime Associated Press writer and video journalist, Kristin Hall works in multiple formats to cover breaking news and deeply reported enterprise. In 2023, she was named chief video journalist for the Mid-South region, where she leads video coverage decisions and mentors other video journalists as well as produces spot, breaking and enterprise video.
Prior to that, she worked for a decade as a writer, VJ and producer under AP’s entertainment department. In 2021, she led the award-winning investigative series “AWOL Weapons,” about the military’s failure to account for stolen and lost firearms and explosives.
Before becoming a VJ, she worked as a reporter based in Nashville covering military and veterans affairs – a stint that included two embedded reporting trips to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2013. She is a 2005 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.
Lisa Harless
Lisa is a legacy entertainment banker/Wealth Advisor who headed the Entertainment and Sports Division of Regions Bank for 39 years. Based in Nashville, Lisa assisted clients with their overall financial needs -including deposit and credit needs, investment management, treasury management and insurance needs. She holds her Series 7 and 63 investment licenses.
Active in numerous non-profits and serving on multiple key Boards, Lisa is a past President and Advisory Council member of the W O Smith Nashville Community Music School. In addition to serving on the Board of NATAS, she has also been active on the Boards and Councils of The Store, Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Lipscomb University's College of Entertainment & Arts, and The Recording Academy (NARAS).
Lisa was honored to receive the Champions Award and the prestigious Stephen Foster Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) for her contributions to the songwriting community. The TN National Guard Association has presented Lisa with their Minuteman Award for her distinguished service to the military through providing music performances at their annual conferences.
Lisa enjoys emceeing events such as the annual TN Songwriters Competition and the Songwriter Series shows at Franklin Theatre, and she enjoys fundraising for her favorite charities!
Clifton Hunt
Clifton has been involved in the Nashville Midsouth Chapter since 1997, serving in the role of Governor, Vice President, President and National Trustee. He has also been an executive producer of the Emmy telecast during this time. Clifton retired from NewsChannel5/WTVF in 2023 after 43 years of employment. He started as an intern from Middle Tennessee State University in 1978. During his career he was a News Photographer, Director/Photographer for the magazine show, “Talk of the Town”, Reporter/Photographer for the news feature “Off The Beaten Path”, Management Coach, Executive Producer/NewsChannel5+, Creative Services Producer/Director and NewsChannel 5 Helicopter Sky5Photographer.
Janet Ivey
Janet Ivey, creator and CEO of Janet's Planet, Inc., is a trailblazer in children's education and space advocacy. With over 27 years dedicated to enriching young minds through innovative TV, online programming, and live performances, she has made significant contributions to STEM/STEAM education. Janet a board member for the Midsouth NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) chapter and Ivey's commitment to fostering a love for science, art, and exploration has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Women's Space Award for Education and Outreach, American Astronautical Society's 2023 Sally K Ride Excellence in Education Award and 12 Regional Emmy® Awards. As the Director of Education at Explore Mars and a valued member of the Board of Advisors for both Above Space and the Cosmic Girls Foundation, her influence extends across the space sector. Additionally, Ivey's role as a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador and her authorship of the "Unsung Genius" book series that highlights unsung women in science, reinforces her dedication to promoting science literacy and female mentorship globally. A recipient of 5 Gracie Awards and a speaker at two TEDx Talks, Ivey is a revered figure in space education, committed to inspiring the next generation of space explorers and women in science.
Samantha Smith Jean
Samantha Smith Jean is an accomplished producer and videographer, with three Emmy® Awards and 17 years in the news and television production industries. Her career began at WTVF in Nashville, where she honed her skills before transitioning to government communications. At the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Samantha utilized her expertise in writing, shooting, and editing to enhance the department's communication strategy, notably by incorporating video content into its social media platforms. Her innovative video series, “Women in Agriculture,” garnered an Emmy® nomination, marking the first time a Tennessee state agency received such an honor.
Samantha's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by her long-standing involvement with the MidSouth Regional Emmy® Awards Gala, an event she has assisted in coordinating and producing since 2007.
Originally from Michigan, Samantha moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, as a child and now resides in Nolensville with her husband and two daughters. She holds a degree in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University. Samantha enjoys traveling, watching documentaries, and volunteering as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Suzanne Kessler
Suzanne Kessler practices entertainment and intellectual property law and provides counsel as a business and legal affairs consultant to individuals and entities in the entertainment industries. She is an Adjunct Professor at Vanderbilt Law School, teaching courses in entertainment industry transactions and intellectual property matters. She is an alumna of the Television Academy Foundation Programs of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) and has served on the Boards of the Nashville Symphony and the W.O. Smith Music School. A graduate of the Leadership Music program, Kessler is a member of the Copyright Society of the South, the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations, and a Master member of the Nashville Entertainment and IP Law American Inn of Court. Other organizations of which Kessler is a member include the Country Music Association and SOURCE, the longest running organization for women music industry professionals in Nashville. Furthermore, Kessler is honored to be a Nashville Bar Foundation Fellow, recognized for her significant community contribution.
Kessler began her legal career at a boutique entertainment law firm in Beverly Hills, representing music companies, major studios in production legal work, and estates of deceased celebrities for licensing and right of publicity matters. During her subsequent tenure at Universal Music Group (“UMG”), she was Director of Business and Legal Affairs for A&M Records in Hollywood and served as Vice President of Business Development for UMG's Nashville operations.
As a Stanford Law School student, Kessler won first prize in the Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition for excellence in copyright law research and writing sponsored by ASCAP, as well as the Hilmer Oehlmann Jr. Award for excellence in legal research and writing. She holds a master’s degree in documentary film production from Stanford University, where she was awarded the Frank Burt Fellowship for Excellence in Script Writing. Kessler’s documentary film credits include: executive producing PBS’s American Masters: Patsy Cline and co-executive producing American Masters: Charley Pride-I’m Just Me; co-producing the A&E Network’s Hairdos & Heartaches: The Women of Country Music; and executive producing Hulu’s Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's Creators. Recent music production credits include album projects for Rounder Records/Concord Music Group and Thirty Tigers. Kessler graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Brown University, where she was the recipient of the Harvey A. Baker Fellowship for Pursuit of Graduate Study.
Kessler is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She traveled frequently to Nashville for business while a Los Angeles resident and has called Nashville home for over 20 years.
Jennifer Lane
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Matthew Pessoni
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Scott Pessoni
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Rachel Schramm
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Lelan Statom
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Rich Stone
Rich Stone is a DP based in Nashville, but travels the country and the world for various network and corporate clients. With over 40 years of production/news experience, Rich has covered a variety of stories and events. The stories include, alligator wrestling in the Everglades, climate change research in Italy for NBC News and Oprah Winfrey's interview with J.K. Rowling in Scotland. He has won Emmy® Awards, National and Regional NPPA Awards, RTNDA Awards, AP Awards, and a shelf full of Tellys.
Allie L. Sultan
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Brittany Tarwater
Brittany Tarwater is a multi-Emmy® and regional Edward R. Murrow award-winning anchor and reporter at WVLT News.
Brittany has been honored with six Emmy® awards for her work at WVLT News including writing, breaking news, documentary, promotion and instructional reporting as well as several regional Edward R. Murrow and Tennessee Associated Press awards. She was named Best Anchor at the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters 2024 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards and was part of WVLT’s 2024 Best News Team recognized by TAB.
Most recently, a WVLT Originals documentary she created received three Emmy® awards and two regional Edward R. Murrow awards in 2024 for work exposing a piece of Tennessee history in a way never done before. “A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton’s Last Dance” showcases murder-for-hire, killers released early from prison and what the FBI called a “criminal enterprise” stemming from Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton’s office, all in an attempt to cover up a pay for pardon scandal. Brittany was also part of the 2024 regional Edward R. Murrow Overall Excellence recognition awarded to WVLT News.
Brittany has passionately reported several stories focused on water safety and drowning prevention for children.
A proud graduate of the University of Tennessee, swimming brought Brittany from her hometown of Tampa, Florida to Knoxville in 2005. Brittany was a member of the Lady Volunteer swim team where she was crowned SEC Champion, seven-time NCAA All-American and named to the Academic All-American team.
Brittany is also an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee School of Journalism and Media, from where she also received her master's degree. Brittany serves as a YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley Keys of Hope co-chair and a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame board member. Brittany most enjoys spending time with her husband, Davis, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist as part of Team USA’s swim team, and their two children: Davis Russell and Clara Rose.
Beth Womack
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Shan Zhong
I’m currently the Visual Design Director of WRAL-TV & FOX 50 in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in motion graphics, 3D modeling/animation, virtual and augmented reality technology, and video editing. Before joining the WRAL-TV & Fox 50 team in 2006, I worked 8 years as a senior designer at WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee. I earned two master’s degrees, one in fine arts and one in digital media. I also served as a speaker on “Telling Stories with Virtual GFX technology” at a News Technology Summit in 2018. I’m very grateful to be a 33-time regional Emmy® Award winner, 8-time PROMAX Award winner, and 2-time RTDNAC Award winner.