
Chattanooga
Autism Center
Meet the Board

THOMAS RICE
President
​Occupation: Director at TVA
Education: BA (Economics) and MBA
Family: Married to my wife Lesley since 2004 and we have two children Andrew (10) and Emily (7)
Connection with autism: My connection to autism is through several friends who have children on the spectrum. I have had the opportunity to learn through their experience.
Favorite Quote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

STEVE THOMASON
Vice President
Occupation: Certified Public Accountant at LBMC, PC
Education: Master of Accountancy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Family: Married. My wife and I have two wonderful dogs.
Connection with autism: I have a nephew with autism.
Favorite quote: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

EMILY LILLEY
Secretary
Occupation: Director of Government Relations, TN Charter School Center
Education: B.S. Social Sciences Education, Auburn University; M.A. Communication, Johns Hopkins University
Family: One small dachshund, Bertie
Connection with autism: I grew up with a mother who taught special education classes and is now a school psychologist, and my dear friend serves as a behavior therapist. Both have shown me the remarkable qualities members of the autism community possess, as well as the challenges members of this community can face.
Favorite Quote: "O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be-- the land where every man is free." - Langston Hughes

WESTON PORTER
Treasurer
Occupation: Accountant, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough
Education: B.S. Business: Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Family: I have been married to my wife, Kelsey, since 2012 and we have three kids, Blake, Cayden, and Katie.
Connection with autism: I have a cousin with Aspergers. Seeing everything that my aunt and he have gone through has really opened my eyes to the struggle that it can be finding the right support system. I think what the CAC does is great and my hope is to help folks find their support system.
Favorite quote: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”

MARK SHARTLE
Board Member
Occupation: Retired, Previously small business owner.
Education: Studied at Louisiana State University and University of Missouri.
Family: Married. Four grown children and four grandchildren
Connection with autism: Granddaughter with autism.
Favorite quote: Life by the inch is a cinch. By the yard is hard.

AMYE WARREN
Board Member
Occupation: Professor of Psychology at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Education: Ph.D. In Experimental Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology
Family: Husband Randy Cagle and son Andrew (Drew) Cagle and our two very large and very loving rescue dogs Sutter and Emmett
Connection with autism: My son Drew is on the spectrum; through him I have learned and grown so much and met so many wonderful people.
Favorite quote: “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” –Yogi Berra

MARY ROBERTSON
Board Member
Occupation: Retired from BlueCross BlueShield, past president of CAC board.
Education: MA in English
Family: Married 42 years, 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren.
Connection with autism: Evan, our 12 year old grandson, is on both spectrum (Autism & Asperger's). Through the CAC I search its wealth of resources to learn more about these conditions and support my daughter and son in law as parents struggling to be Evan's Ambassador toward a bright and healthy future.
Favorite quote: Enjoy the little things. Make a positive difference everyday. -Susan Lamberth

Kathy Petros
Board Member
Occupation: Supervisor of Assessment Services at Hamilton County
Education:
Family:
Connection with autism:
Favorite Quote:

ANGELA BOUCH
Board Member
Occupation: Educator
Education: Master Degree in Education
Family: Three children, two on the spectrum
Connection with autism: I am autistic; it is my world. I am a mother, aunt, teacher, and friend of individuals on the spectrum.
Favorite Quote: "The highest result of education is tolerance" Helen Keller
DEWAYNE GALYON
Board Member
Occupation: Educator
Education: Bachelor of Science in Education
Family: I have three adult children.
Connection with autism: Exceptional education teacher and close friend on the spectrum.
Favorite Quote: “Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” Buddha

JACKIE BENKERT
Board Member
Occupation: School and community volunteer
Education: BA from Kansas University
Family: Married to Stuart Benkert, and we have two daughters, Genevieve, a sophomore in college, and Lillian, a freshman in high school.
Connection with autism: Our younger daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 2 1/2, and our older daughter recently received an autism diagnosis.
Favorite Quote: “People aren’t broken. They’re just interestingly wired.”

JEREMY SCRUGGS
Board Member
Occupation: Manager of Health Promotion, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
Education: B.S. Human Ecology, The University of Tennessee
Family: One wonderful son
Connection with autism: My son, Austin, is on the spectrum; diagnosed at age 3.
Favorite Quote: "Diversity is having a seat at the table. Inclusion is having a voice. And Belonging is having that voice be heard" – Liz Fosslien

Greg Heinrich
Board Member
Occupation: Vice President at TVA
Education: BS Computer Engineering and MBA
Family: One child, age 12
Connection with autism: My son is on the spectrum.
Favorite Quote: Favorite quote: “Everyone wants to be great, until it’s time to do what greatness requires.”
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chattanooga Autism Center's board members are strong advocates for the organization. They are responsible for ensuring the organization's mission and longterm success. Click here to view a list of board member responsibilities. If you are interested in serving, contact Mary Robertson.Click here to view an application. If you are interested, please click on the link to open a fillable application form. Once complete, please save the document and email to: mary@chattanoogaautismcenter.org