TOMBA Officers
Class of 2006
RE:  TOMBA 2007

Dear MBA Class of 2007,
Congratulations on your acceptance into UT Knoxville's MBA program!  We are very excited that you are here and would like to take this opportunity to introduce you the MBA program's student organization, the Tennessee Organization of MBA's, otherwise known as TOMBA. 

As students, TOMBA is "your organization": your governing body, your social events coordination, your volunteer activity center, your liaison between you and the faculty and staff of the MBA program, your resource for local networking with the business community and alumni, and your resource for intramural sports.  Basically, it is your way and your family's way to get involved with your MBA classmates, professors, alumni, local businesses, and the surrounding community.  At the beginning of Core I, we will be conducting a presentation to introduce you to TOMBA and to inform you of many of the events and opportunities that we have planned for the upcoming year.  The current officers for the class of 2006 are as follows:

President   Chad Riggs   criggs2@ln.utk.edu
Vice President   Laura Nolen  lrober12@ln.utk.edu
Secretary/Faculty Liaison Hayley Gaylor  hgaylor@ln.utk.edu
Treasurer   Lindsey Souder  lsouder@ln.utk.edu
Social Chair   Andy Potter  apotter6@ln.utk.edu
Projects Chair   Tommy Smith  tsmith71@ln.utk.edu
Philanthropy/Habitat Chair James Koppel  jkoppel@ln.utk.edu

Please feel free to contact any of the officers with questions concerning TOMBA membership or officer positions/duties.  TOMBA requires a one time fee at the beginning of Core I to help fund various opportunities for your class, including many different social and service function events as well as the Holiday/Graduation events for both years that you will be in the program.  Each class's dues are theirs to spend and officer elections will be held for class of 2007 during Core II.

We encourage you, as first year MBA students, to take advantage of the time that you have in the MBA program and the resources that are available.  Although the course load is intense, particularly during your first semester, don't miss the chance to get involved and the opportunity get to know your classmates, us "second-years", the professors, and the community in which you are living!  You never know where your networking efforts will open doors in the future, and if you will ever get the chance to be full-time students again!  Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to UT's MBA program, and we look forward to meeting you in the fall!

Sincerely,
TOMBA Officers 2006

Overview:  Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, ecumenical Christian house ministry that partners with people of all beliefs.  Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985.  We build simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with those in need. Volunteers and the future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes.  Tax deductible donations of money, land and materials are provided by individuals, organizations, and corporations.

History:  2006 is the MBA program’s 4th year as a covenant partner

Fall 2005 Habitat for Humanity Photos
Fall 2003 Habitat for Humanity Photos

Exciting News from TOMBA:

Over the fall semester, TOMBA initiated a new partnership with the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and I would like to share with you some details about the initiative that was approved at the December 15th Board of Directors meeting.  The main objective of this partnership is to create networking and local opportunities for our MBA students to interact with local businesses, while giving the Chamber an additional volunteer base and access to qualified business leaders of the future to improve local work force development.  Our goal is to network with key business leaders of Knoxville, and the Chamber has given us opportunities to attend or volunteer for different networking events throughout the year.  In addition, this relationship with the Chamber is an excellent opportunity for us to get our MBA Program more involved with the community and will give us a good chance to share knowledge with Chamber members on hot topics and trends in business today. 

Some examples of activities in which we will be participating with the Chamber include serving as table leaders or presenters for roundtable business forums, and attending other events such as Premier Partner Breakfasts, AM Exchanges, Business After Hours, and various legislative events.  We will also have the opportunity to volunteer at some of Knoxville’s largest business-oriented events such as the Pinnacle Business Awards, Governor’s Luncheon, Annual Stakeholders Meeting, and Business 2 Business Tradeshows.  The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to working with TOMBA and UT’s MBA Program, and I hope you will too!

Just wanted to keep you updated on one of the exciting issues in which TOMBA is looking forward to participating throughout the year.  If you have any questions, or would be interested in participating, please let me know.  

Sincerely,
Laura Robertson Nolen
MBA 2006 Marketing/Entrepreneurship
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Vice President, TOMBA
Vice President, WOMBA
Phone: 865.621.0804

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