McKenzie Alumni Association Elects First Set of Officers

McKENZIE (July 18) — The newly-established McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) gathered for the first officially sanctioned meeting in the McKenzie High School Theatre on Tuesday night to elect officers and board members.

Annual membership dues of $10 are required to be a MHSAA member. MHSAA members present at the July 18 meeting voted for the following officers and board members.

Brian Winston, a 2003 McKenzie High School graduate, was elected president. Winston graduated from Bethel University in 2007 and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU in 2016. He is the City President of Carroll Bank & Trust in McKenzie and chairman of the McKenzie Planning Commission. In the past, he served as a McKenzie City councilman, Carroll County commissioner, and president of the McKenzie Rotary Club.

Drew Beeler, a 2020 McKenzie High School graduate, was elected vice president. Beeler serves on the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He employs over 20 McKenzie High School at his businesses, Hometown Hangout and McKenzie Nutrition, and remains involved in McKenzie’s community and school events. Hometown Hangout was recently chosen as Business of the Year by the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce. As a McKenzie High School student, Beeler was involved in many clubs and activities and helped return the forgotten tradition of the annual homecoming parade and dance.

Tracy Brown-Teague, a 1984 McKenzie High School graduate, was elected secretary. Brown-Teague is a past board member of the McKenzie Memorial Library, the City of McKenzie Parks and Recreation, and the Carroll County Relay for Life. She served as treasurer of the McKenzie Relay for Life and has volunteered at McKenzie’s Park Theatre, Sweet Tea Festival, and Boo Bash. Brown-Teague serves as the Addie Mae Teague Scholarship Committee Coordinator and a board member of Lil Pantries of Henry County. She is on the MHSAA Steering Committee.

Lauren Hickman, a 2007 McKenzie High School graduate, was elected treasurer. Hickman has a degree in public relations from Freed Hardeman University and works as a mortgage loan officer for Regions Bank. She has served as a mentor of TNAchieves, helping high school seniors navigate the college admissions process. She is a member of the McKenzie Rotary Club and TNAchieves.

The five board members elected were Brad Camp, Terry Howell, Byran Rich, Cheryl Oglesby-Townes, and Lesa Hutcherson Roberson.

Brad Camp is a 1983 honor graduate of McKenzie High School and has a marketing degree from Freed-Hardeman University and a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in administration and planning from the University of Tennessee. He had a 27-year career in Memphis as a medical social worker, and he serves on the board of the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame. Since October, Camp has chaired the MHSAA Steering Committee and was instrumental in the association’s development.

Terry Howell is a 1969 McKenzie High School graduate, and he served the McKenzie Special School District as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Howell served on the McKenzie Industrial Development Board, the McKenzie Rotary Club, the Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame Board, and the Carroll County Electric Board. He is on the Bethel University Board of Trustees.

Byran Rich is a 1973 McKenzie High School graduate. He has worked 28 years at the Gleason Clay Company and has served the McKenzie community through the McKenzie Jaycees and by holding various offices for many years. He has umpired youth baseball and softball leagues in McKenzie and has been an active supporter of McKenzie High School activities for 50 years.

Cheryl Oglesby-Townes is a 1988 honor graduate of McKenzie High School. She has a degree in management and organizational development from Bethel University. Oglesby-Townes serves as executive director for the local community action agency, Northwest TN Economic Development Council, in Dresden, where she has served for 31 years with 22 years being in leadership. She has also served on the TCAT Advisory Committee for Administrative Office Technology (AOT) for several years.

Lesa Hutcherson Roberson is a 1988 McKenzie High School graduate. She is the administrative assistant at Milan High School, where she helps with the day-to-day tasks of running the main office. Roberson serves on various leadership committees at her church. She actively assists with data management for the MHSAA.

The MHSAA was created to benefit McKenzie High School and the McKenzie community on multiple levels. Board member Brad Camp said he hopes the organization will help strengthen bonds, renew friendships, and promote a sense of pride among McKenzie High School alumni.