News & Notes | UT at Chattanooga names advisory committees for its Quantum Center
Stuart McWhorter to add title of Deputy Governor to that of Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
From Chattanooga:
The University of Tennessee (UT) at Chattanooga announced the formation of new internal and external advisory committees for its Quantum Center. They are designed to strengthen the center’s research, education, and community partnerships in quantum information science and engineering.
The internal advisory committee will provide guidance from across UTC’s colleges and research leadership. Members include:
- Dr. Pamela Riggs-Gelasco, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences;
- Dr. Reinhold C. Mann, Vice Chancellor for Research;
- Dr. Mina Sartipi, Director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress; and
- Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi, Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science.
The external advisory committee will bring national and international expertise in quantum science to UTC. Members include:
- Dr. Nicholas Peters, Section Head and distinguished research and development staff, Quantum Information Science Section at Oak Ridge National Laboratory;
- Dr. Hossein Sadeghpour, Director, Institute for Theoretical Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics, and Senior Scientist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Harvard University;
- Dr. Mark Saffman, Professor of physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Director, Wisconsin Quantum Institute; and Chief Scientist, Infleqtion; and
- Dr. Jim Shaffer, American Physical Society Fellow and Senior Scientist, Quantum Ideas Valley Laboratories, Canada.
With the announcement that EPB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Wade will retire by the fall of 2026, the EPB Board concluded its leadership planning process by naming Janet Rehberg, currently EPB’s President of Strategic Initiatives, to serve as President and CEO-elect during the remainder of Wade’s tenure.
Ryan Keel will continue as EPB’s President of Energy and Communications which is responsible for all the company’s energy and fiber optic services. EPB will also begin a search for a new President of Strategic Initiatives, who will be responsible for longer-term efforts to enhance EPB’s operations and services for customers through innovation.
“Janet’s career reflects extraordinary breadth and depth, with two decades of energy sector leadership at both investor-owned and community utilities,” said Vicky Gregg, EPB Board Chair. “Over the course of her career, she has led a wide range of teams including engineering, operations, business development, field services, community relations and legislative affairs. Janet’s proven ability to combine technical expertise with strategic vision and community focus makes her ideally suited to be EPB’s next CEO.”
From Maryville:
Michael Gomez, Director, Manufacturing Research and Technology atMSC Industrial Supply Co., will share insights on machining dynamics, process optimization, and digital tools transforming today’s shop floor during the Fall 2025 Manufacturing Symposium. The event will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. EDT on October 3 at the Ruth & Steve West Workforce Development Center on Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County Campus.
This event, which is co-sponsored by start-up Laborup, is designed to give manufacturers across our region practical strategies to:
- Improve operations through advances in manufacturing;
- Tackle workforce challenges;
- Boost productivity; and
- Unlock millions in cost savings.
Gomez earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from UT, Knoxville (UTK), founded the MSC Machining Research Laboratory, which is hosted at the UTK Machine Tool Research Center, and was involved in developing the revolutionary MSC’s MillMax, which improves material removal rate by about 300 percent and reduces cycle times by about 50 percent.
To register, click here.
From Nashville:
Imagine Pediatrics, one of the nation’s largest pediatric medical groups delivering 24/7 virtual and in-home care for children with special health care needs, has announced that the company has raised $67 million in Series B funding. Participants in the round include existing investors Oak HC/FT, Optum Ventures, and Rubicon Founders, along with new strategic investments from the Autism Impact Fund (AIF) and others.
Founded in 2022, Imagine Pediatrics now cares for approximately 40,000 children nationwide
through an integrated medical, behavioral, and social care model. This funding will accelerate
national expansion, enhance the company’s proprietary technology platform, and fuel clinical
innovation designed to close persistent care gaps and expand access to specialized pediatric
care for children with special health care needs.
In the U.S., one in five children has a special health care need, accounting for nearly half of all
pediatric healthcare spending across Medicaid and commercial insurance. Many face multiple
chronic conditions, behavioral health challenges, and unmet social needs. Imagine Pediatrics
addresses these challenges with unlimited access to multidisciplinary care teams that work
alongside a child’s existing providers, offering services from pharmacy and nutrition to palliative
care and social support.
Governor Bill Lee announced that Stuart McWhorter will assume the role of Deputy Governor, effective October 15. replacing Butch Eley, who plans to step down after nearly seven years in Lee’s cabinet. McWhorter will also continue in his current role as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
An early advisor to the Governor, McWhorter previously served as Commissioner of Finance and Administration, where he led the development of two state budgets and co-chaired the Governor’s Healthcare Modernization Task Force. He was appointed Director of the Unified Command Group to coordinate Tennessee’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stepping up to lead during an unprecedented crisis.
McWhorter also chairs the Launch Tennessee board of directors.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) has announced that two $500,000 grants will be awarded to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) through the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity (TNGO) initiative. The announcement marks the seventh and eighth of eight total recipients receiving grants through the second round of TNGO funding.
TNGO, which has received a total of $7.5 million in funding from the Tennessee General Assembly, serves as a tool to diversify the state’s economy by leveraging public and private sector assets to attract mobility research and development (R&D) investment to Tennessee. The initiative serves as part of the state’s efforts to make Tennessee the No. 1 destination in the Southeast for automotive and mobility R&D investment.
From Knoxville:
The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at UT, Knoxville, will host a screening of “The Nuclear Frontier” beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 28.
The film follows young advocates and business leaders as they fight to expand nuclear power in America. They must overcome the power source’s controversial past, as they tackle policy and financial challenges to unlock its transformative potential as a clean baseload energy source.
The film premiered on Sepember 15 to a record-breaking crowd at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Now the documentary filmmakers have embarked on a nine-state bus tour to screen the film on the campuses of 14 universities and trade schools educating America’s future nuclear workforce.
After the film is finished, there will be a panel discussion featuring:
- Tracy Boatner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the East Tennessee Economic Council;
- Matt Rasmussen, TVA’s Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations;
- Joe Klecha, Chief Nuclear Officer at The Nuclear Company;
- Tim Fitzgerald, Associate Professor in the Baker School;
- Emma Houston, who is pursuing her Ph.D. in nuclear engineering at UTK; and
- Vladimir Sobes, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering at UTK.
To reserve your seat, click here.
From Chapel Hill, NC, but with Ties to Knoxville:
Former UT System President John Petersen has died at the age of 77. After leaving the presidency in 2009, he and his wife, Carol, moved to Chapel Hill, where he served as Executive Director of RTP Solar Fuels Project and later the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry before retiring.
Even in retirement, his obituary said Petersen enjoyed playing bridge and golf (including winning the 2017 Senior Men’s Golf Association President’s Cup at Chapel Hill Country Club) until the effects of Alzheimer’s caused him to stop his participation.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. EDT on Monday, October 13, at St. Thomas More in Chapel Hill.
Like what you've read?
Forward to a friend!