There is a great deal of interest in helping the South Cumberland region improve its economy by encouraging responsible tourism. “Responsible tourism” describes a type of tourism that values and celebrates the natural and cultural attractions of an area, while respecting the values and traditions of the people who live there.

To encourage responsible tourism, area leaders began an initiative to bring more overnight visitors to this area, and, more broadly, to encourage visitor spending in local communities.

Tennessee’s South Cumberland Tourism Partnership, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization composed of local leaders and business people, has developed both short and longer term plans to help get the South Cumberland region ready to welcome visitors, and to identify and promote responsible tourism opportunities that can create and sustain new local businesses and local jobs.

The Partnership holds quarterly public meetings to provide updates on our current and planned initiatives, and to receive input from our community's citizens and stakeholders. It meets at the TN South Cumberland Visitor Information Center, 115 Depot Street, Tracy City, on the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October. If you are interested in attending, please email our office at TNsouthCumberland@gmail.com for exact dates and times, and, if you wish, to have an item added to our agenda.

TSCTP Mission:

To develop and champion strategies for sustainable economic development in and around the gateway communities of the South Cumberland region through the facilitation and promotion of cultural, historic and outdoor tourism initiatives.

TSCTP Vision:

A vibrant, responsible and sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation economy in the South Cumberland region that provides visitors with outstanding hospitality experiences, drawing its strength and direction from the welcoming manner and entrepreneurial spirit of the people and communities in the region.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Joe Gray, President and Chair, TSCTP Executive Committee

Joe’s family was introduced to the South Cumberland region in the early 1950’s where his father held many Gospel meetings. The Gray family grew to love the people and the area. Joe has been an entrepreneur all his life and has experience in the construction, manufacturing, and technology industries. He currently consults with businesses across the globe and divides his time between South Cumberland and Middle Tennessee. He has restored and converted the historic Northcutt window factory in Altamont into the Greeter Falls Lodge.

Rick Dreves, Chair, TSCTP Strategic Planning & Outdoor Recreation

A pioneering web development entrepreneur, Rick Dreves received his Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Virginia before earning a Master's degree in Communications from the University of Florida. After an early career in broadcasting and marketing, in 1988 he started Acuity Marketing Communications, a full-service Nashville marketing firm that evolved into one of the largest web development companies in Middle Tennessee. Rick sold the company and relocated to South Cumberland in 2013, after having been a regular visitor here for more than 25 years. Since making his home here, Rick has also served on the board of the Friends of the Parks, supporting all three of this area’s State Parks. He remains active in the Friends group, serving as a Project Lead on its Trails Committee, which works to build and maintain the 87-mile trail network in and across Savage Gulf, South Cumberland and Head of the Crow State Parks.

Iva Michelle Russell, TSCTP Secretary and Chair, Marketing

A seasoned communications professional, Iva has a wide range of experience in government and business public relations. She hosts the long-running GCTV6 ‘Morning on the Mountain’ cable show and authors a weekly news and event column ‘This, That & the Other’ in the Grundy County Herald. Iva’s family roots date back to the founding of Grundy County. Her grandparents were the proprietors of the legendary mountain eatery ‘Tubby’s’, and her namesake was one of the first Mayors in Monteagle.

BOARD

Amy Anderson, Chair, Regional Engagement

Amy Anderson helps TSCTP coordinate its efforts with other regional tourism and economic development organizations. A graduate of Emory University, Amy has 20 years’ experience in public administration. Amy also serves as the Tourism Coordinator for the Southeast Tennessee Development organization, based in Chattanooga, where she manages a comprehensive marketing program for ten counties in Southeast Tennessee. She has helped TSCTP produce workshops and organize influencer visits to the region. Amy is an avid hiker and paddler who is enthusiastic about promoting and protecting the beauty of the South Cumberland region, and has contributed to popular guidebooks highlighting rock climbing and waterfalls in the region.

Kalene and Doug Hankins, Hospitality

Married 37 years, the Hankins have been self-employed entrepreneurs just as long. They have been involved in various aspects of ministry for over 25 years, with community involvement being a major focus of their outreach. Doug was a flooring specialist for over 30 years, while working as a hospice chaplain for ten of those years. Kalene has been a Master Barber since 1985, owning and managing her business. Doug and Kalene have been owners of Hank’s Corner Grille in Tracy City since 2017, changing the direction of the business to create a hub and pub for the local community as well as visitors to the area.

Jackie Lawley, Heritage Tourism

Jackie Suter Lawley returned to her Swiss roots at the Suter Family Farm in Gruetli-Laager in 2012 after retiring from her home improvement business in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Her family settled in Gruetli in 1885 from Switzerland and have owned the farm ever since. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, continues to do remodeling, and has a great love for life on the Cumberland Plateau. Jackie is President of the Grundy County Swiss Historical Society and supervises the care of the Stoker-Stampfli Farm Museum and its Annual Swiss Celebration.

Kasi Jo Myers, Events

Kasi Jo Myers is a South Cumberland entrepreneur with several successful businesses to her credit. She grew up in Tracy City working in her grandmother’s clothing store, Hutcheson Outlet. It was there that Kasi Jo’s love for community, fashion and business grew. Kasi Jo graduated from Grundy County High School and became an entrepreneur at the age of 19, opening The Courtyard Cottage, a cafe and catering business, located next to the Grundy County Courthouse. Throughout the years her love for retail and fashion continued to grow. Kasi Jo opened her first retail location, Hometown Girl, in Tracy City. After selling Hometown Girl, she and her family followed their dreams to Aspen, Colorado, where she opened Angels & Outlaws, a boutique in downtown Aspen. Kasi Jo sold the retail business in Aspen but continues to design clothing for her wholesale fashion company. Her family has now moved back to Grundy County and opened a successful coffee shop, Hwy 56, in a restored a historical building in Altamont.

Tyler McCullough, TSCTP Treasurer

Tyler McCullough, TSCTP Treasurer, also serves as the Grundy County Trustee, reviewing all of the County’s incurred expenses against the County Commission’s/County Mayor’s approved appropriation for the expenditure. In his role with TSCTP, Tyler provides high-level fiscal guidance and counsel to the TSCTP Executive Committee and Board. He is also a trained EMT Paramedic, with a degree in Emergency Medical Technology from Chattanooga State Community College. Tyler hails from Gruetli-Laager, TN, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.

STAFF

Matt Morrison, Senior Content Manager

Born in Sewanee, Matt Morrison has deep roots in Tennessee’s South Cumberland region. Originally from Palmer, Matt has always called Tennessee's South Cumberland home. His passion for photography and videography blossomed in 2016 when he became passionate about showcasing Tennessee's natural beauty through photo and video, realizing how fortunate he was to be living in the South Cumberland region with its abundant natural and historical assets. Matt worked as a Union carpenter out of Local 74 in Chattanooga, primarily as a TVA contractor at nuclear power plants, until transitioning to freelancing in 2022. During this time, he balanced a part-time role as a tour guide at The Caverns and contributed to the opening of Coalmont OHV Park as its assistant manager in 2023. In August of that year, he took on the role of Senior Content Manager for Tennessee’s South Cumberland Tourism Partnership. Matt’s deep connection to the region drives his work, and he feels fortunate to share its stories and showcase the beauty and history of Tennessee’s South Cumberland with the world.

Dan Miller, Digital Marketing Consultant

Dan Miller has come full circle in his 25 years of digital marketing experience. He began building custom websites in the late nineties, then became a subject matter expert and product manager of digital marketing software for IBM and a couple of tech startups, working remotely long before it was fashionable. He and his wife moved to the South Cumberland in 2020 and fell in love with the area, so he went back to his roots and launched South Cumberland Digital, an agency focused on helping small businesses benefit from responsible ecotourism. He designed, developed and maintains MountainsOfAdventure.com. He and his wife are also Airbnb SuperHosts who have launched South Cumberland Concierge to provide co-hosting services for short term rental owners.