Nashville, Tennessee · October 13, 2026

Military Thriving®Tennessee Regional ForumNashville

Join leaders from business, government, education, philanthropy and the military community to assess Tennessee’s veteran ecosystem and develop practical recommendations for the incoming 2027 administration.

Date & time
Tuesday, October 13, 2026Program: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM Central
Check-in & breakfast: 7:30 AM
Venue
Nashville State Community College, H Building120 White Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37209
What we’ll explore

A statewide conversation, with practical focus.

The program brings business, government, education, philanthropy and the military community together around Tennessee’s veteran ecosystem.

01

Business & entrepreneurship

Explore veteran-owned businesses, investment, talent and Tennessee’s defense industrial base.

02

Health & well-being

Hear perspectives on strengthening support for veterans and their families.

03

Statewide collaboration

Connect leaders across sectors through networking and listening sessions.

The day, in order

Agenda

CENTRAL TIME

All times Central. Check-in: 7:30 AM. Program: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM.

Read down column 1, then continue at the top of column 2.

01

Morning

7:30 AM–11:15 AM

  1. 7:30 AM8:30 AM

    Registration and Check-in

    Continental Breakfast

  2. 8:30 AM8:45 AM

    Welcome

  3. 8:45 AM9:15 AM

    Why Military Thriving® Tennessee?

    with Congressman Matt Van Epps

  4. 9:15 AM9:45 AM

    What is Military Thriving®?

    with Kevin Schmiegel, ZeroMils and Josh Burch, The Honor Foundation

  5. 9:45 AM10:00 AM

    Break

  6. 10:00 AM10:30 AM

    How to Invest in Military Thriving®

    Moderator: Dave Lee, CVS Health
    Andrew Ward, The Boot
    Adam Pritchard, IVMF

  7. 10:30 AM11:00 AM

    TN Veterans by the Numbers

    Talent, Defense Tech, & Entrepreneurship
    Jon Russo, B2B Fusion

  8. 11:00 AM11:15 AM

    Break

02

Midday & afternoon

11:15 AM–3:00 PM

  1. 11:15 AM11:45 AM

    Lunch Discussion: Building TN’s Defense Industrial Base

    Jon Russo, B2B Fusion
    John Gordon, Claritas Capital

  2. 11:45 AM12:00 PM

    Break

  3. 12:00 PM12:45 PM

    Vets “Own” Tennessee

    Moderator: Jon Russo, B2B Fusion
    Blake Hogan, Nash Doors
    Sandra Cordell, UT Chattanooga
    Dean Wegner, AAW Solutions

  4. 12:45 PM1:30 PM

    Veteran Health and Well-being

    Moderator: Dr. Tina Atherall, PsychArmor
    Arlie Haddix, Operation Stand Down Tennessee
    Chris Lancia, wear blue: run to remember
    Lisa Eggebeen, Centerstone

  5. 1:30 PM1:45 PM

    Intro to Networking/Listening Sessions

    Eden Murrie, Murrie Solutions
    Matt Watkins, Operation Headshot

  6. 1:45 PM3:00 PM

    Networking/Listening Sessions

    Breakout Sessions

Our Speakers

Ed Magee
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Chief Operating Officer, Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine
Belmont University
Dr. Tina Atherall
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CEO
PsychArmor
Andrew Ward
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Founder and CEO
Acadiana Veteran Alliance (AVA)
Arlie Haddix
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Chief Executive Officer
Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN)
Sandy Cordell
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Director of the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP)
Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC
Lisa Eggebeen, MSSW, LCSW
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Market Chief Operating Officer
Centerstone of Tennessee
Jon Russo
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Founder
B2B Fusion
Dr. Adam Pritchard
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Research Associate
Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
Eden Murrie
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CEO
Murrie Solutions
David A. Lee
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Lead Director
CVS Health
Josh Burch
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Senior Director of People
The Honor Foundation
Blake Hogan
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CEO
Nashville Door Closer Service
John Gordon
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Equity Investment Team
Claritas Capital
Dean Wegner
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Founder & CEO
Authentically American

Our Partners