The Metropolitan Drug Commission’s story began 20 years ago when a group of leaders came together to make Knoxville a better place to live, work and raise a family. The Metropolitan Drug Commission’s story began 20 years ago when a group of leaders came together to make Knoxville a better place to live, work and raise a family.
On April 24, Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., Mayors Bill Haslam and Mike Ragsdale welcomed over 400 local, state and federal guests to the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s 20th Anniversary Dinner and Celebration. The event was held at the Knoxville Convention Center.
The evening began with opening remarks from Metropolitan Drug Commission Executive Director, Catherine Thatcher Brunson, followed by an invocation by Father Ragan Schriver. After dinner, guests enjoyed a 10-minute video that highlighted the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s efforts throughout its 20-year history.
MDC Community Champion honors were awarded to Scott Dean (MDC Founder); Jill Griffin (MDC Executive Director, 1989-1997); Phil Keith (Former MDC President); Patti Hall (Former MDC president); Denny Dukes (Former MDC president); General Randy Nichols (MDC Board member since 1992); John Gill (MDC Board member since 1986); WBIR-TV Channel 10 News; and the Knoxville News Sentinel.
John P. Walters, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was the keynote speaker for the evening and honored the Metropolitan Drug Commission for its commitment to reducing youth substance abuse and mobilizing all sectors of the community to work together on this issue. Congressman Duncan closed the evening by presenting Director Walters a book on the history of Knoxville called Knoxville, Tennessee: A Mountain City in the New South by local author William Bruce Wheeler.
Sponsors: Mayor Mike Ragsdale’s Office, Mayor Bill Haslam’s Office, Rural Metro, Denark Construction, Helen Ross McNabb, Knoxville News Sentinel, District Attorney’s Office, Barber and McMurry, Cherokee Mental Health Systems, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Home Federal Bank, UT Medical Center, Pilot Oil, WBIR-TV Channel 10, St. Mary’s Health System, St. Mary’s Foundation, Covenant Health System, Peninsula Behavioral Health, Peninsula Hospital, Baptist Health System, University of Tennessee, UT Men’s Athletic Department, SunTrust, AAA of East Tennessee, KUB, Jessup & Associates, SETEL.
Table Hosts: Motorola, 211 Communications, Mark Jones, Judge Tony Stansberry, Judge Tim Irwin, Knox County Schools, BellSouth, Knoxville Police Department, First Tennessee Bank, East Tennessee Foundation, Judge Tim Irwin, Public Defender’s Office.
Youth Volunteers: Jarron Vosburg, Ellis Greer, Katherine Moore, Blaze Manning, LaQuisha Carter and Aiyana Davidson.