The Columbia State Foundation Board is pleased to announce Felicia Brown, Judge Lee Bussart, Hugo Lopez, Luis Parodi and Alan Thompson as new Foundation board members.

“As chairman of the board, I am extremely pleased with the quality of our new board members,” said Stacey Shedd, Columbia State Foundation chair. “This talented group brings a strong commitment to our mission, a genuine passion for education, and a wealth of professional expertise that will further strengthen the Foundation. Their diverse skills and dedication will enhance our ability to serve our community and advance our goals. I look forward to working alongside both our returning and new members and am excited to see the many accomplishments this board will achieve together in the years ahead.”

“I am excited to welcome our new board members to the Foundation,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “Their exceptional backgrounds and dedication to our mission will bring fresh energy and invaluable perspective to our work. We anticipate collaborating and building a stronger future with them.”

“Their distinguished leadership and commitment to building relationships will be instrumental in advancing the college and creating opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “I look forward to working with each of our board members this year.”

Felicia Brown is senior vice president, treasury management officer at Heritage Bank and Trust, with more than 25 years of experience in banking and financial services. In addition to leading the treasury management division, she also oversees the bank’s deposit growth initiatives and marketing strategy. Brown earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee Southern.

Judge Lee Bussart serves as the general sessions and juvenile judge for Marshall County. She also presides over both an adult recovery court and an adult mental health court. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Bussart previously served as president of the Marshall County Bar Association and held several leadership roles with the Tennessee Bar Association. Currently, Bussart serves on the University of Tennessee College of Law Professional Development Institute Advisory Board and the Tennessee Youth Court Board.

Hugo Lopez is the president and owner of Lopez Group, LLC, and Amigo’s Mexican Grill in Lewisburg, along with multiple other locations throughout Middle Tennessee. He is an entrepreneur as well as a recently elected public servant in Marshall County. Lopez attended Middle Tennessee State University.

Luis Parodi is the vice president, senior regional CRA and community development officer at Republic Bank with many years of experience in the finance sector. Parodi earned his MBA in finance from Butler University. He is a board member and former chairman of Williamson, Inc., and has served on numerous boards, as well as on Leadership Middle Tennessee in 2014.

Alan Thompson serves as vice president of marketing at Pape-Dawson. He holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia. Thompson currently serves as a board member for Williamson, Inc. He serves as board chairman for Cumberland Region Tomorrow, a nonprofit focusing on regional growth across Middle Tennessee, as well as being a 2024 alum of Leadership Franklin.

For a full list of the Foundation board members, staff and executive committee members, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/foundation/foundation-staff-board-members.html. 

 Columbia State Foundation board members serve three-year terms and represent leaders from across the nine-county service area. The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation.