Aaron Franklin

State Farm Insurance, Agent Chattanooga, TN

Aaron is a follower of Jesus, husband to Rebekah for 22yrs., Father to Landon 16 who is committed to Univ. of KY for baseball, twins Dalton & Ava 12 who are very involved in sports, Dalton is playing baseball & golf and Ava is playing softball & volleyball, and Hannah Kate 8 is a cheerleader. I own a State Farm Insurance agency in Chattanooga and have been with the company 23yrs. I played 4yrs of college baseball in FL & have coached travel baseball for the last 12yrs. I love to duck hunt, fish & spend time in the outdoors. I have been a home team partner/supporter of FCA for the past 11 years.

Al Holifield

Holifield & Janich, PLLC (2004)

I was born in Ellisville, Mississippi and been a believer in Christ since my childhood. I accepted Christ as a youth in Ellisville, MS and attended Ellisville United Methodist Church. I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to obtain my JD/MBA in 1988 and graduated with both degrees in 1992. I have lived in Knoxville ever since and have led Sunday school classes, men’s groups, etc. since my early twenties and am currently attending Northstar Church in Knoxville. Reaching people who do not know Christ is one of my passions. I have one son, Caleb, who is 22 years old and a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Barry Ray

Co-Founder and CEO, Legacy Senior Living 

Barry   spent 14 years with Life Care Centers of America, the nation’s largest privately held senior housing provider before founding his own senior living companies. During the last three years with Life Care, he served as President of American Lifestyles, Inc. (now Century Park), the assisted living subsidiary of Life Care where he was responsible for 40 retirement facilities covering twenty states.

Barry’s love for athletics starts early as a young athlete, through the years cheering on and supporting his children’s athletic events at local schools, and always supporting the Arkansas Razorbacks. Barry’s son played baseball for Lee University.

A graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, TN, a member of Westmore Church of God, he serves on several civic and non- profit boards. He and his wife, Iris, who married in 1986 have three grown children: Brooke, and her husband Chris; Blake, and his wife Kelli; Christina, and her husband Zach and seven amazing grandchildren.

Brad Emendorfer

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe & Just Love Coffee

Operator & Owner, Chattanooga & Cleveland Locations, Cleveland TN

Brad graduated from Clemson University, with a communication degree in 2001. As member of the men’s Tennis Team (1997-2001), he was an active member of FCA and Athletes in Action. Being apart of these groups allowed him to find his love for leadership and developed several characteristics that he carries with him in both his work and personal life today.

Chad Eslinger

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga

Chad is a pediatric dentist with Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga. Growing up in Cleveland, Chad attended Bradley Central High School where he wrestled for the Bears. He then attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and completed a 2 year residency at UT in pediatric dentistry. He has served as the president of both the Tennessee Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Chattanooga Area Dental Society. He also serves on several committees for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Tennessee Dental Association. He also serves on several other local boards including the Cleveland Community Foundation. Along with his wife Joy, they have been long time supporters of FCA in both the Ocoee and Chattanooga region. They have four children: Maggie and Reed who attend the University of Tennessee and Seth and Eli who attend the McCallie School. They currently attend First Baptist Church Cleveland. Chad enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, skiing and Vols athletics.

Jason & Jennifer Browning

Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham, AL
Jason was born in Florida, graduated from Lee University in 1998. Jason married Jennifer in 1999 and they began full time ministry in 2001. 7 years in Orlando, 11 years in Cleveland, 5 years in Birmingham. Jason is a graduate of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in 2016 with a master’s degree in theology with Pentecostal emphasis. Jason currently serves as the Lead Pastor of the Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham, AL. Jason and Jennifer serve together at Metro and have three children, Ansley, Abby, and Ava.

Michael & Sarah Venable

State Farm Insurance Agent

Michael and Sarah live on a small farm in Kentucky with their five children, ranging from ages 14 to 25. Michael is a State Farm insurance agent & financial advisor. He has been serving clients for over 26 years - helping individuals, families, and business owners with a range of insurance and financial needs. Michael has also served as an Elder at New Work Fellowship Church in Hopkinsville, KY for several years. Michael spends his free time reading, racing Porsches, playing on the farm, traveling, & perfecting his grilling techniques. He has traveled to over 20 countries, including mission trips to Ethiopia, where he adopted 2 of his sons.

Sarah is a former high school athlete in basketball, soccer, track & field, tennis & cross country and a former “FCA Athlete of the Year” from her high school in Cleveland, TN. She played one year of soccer at the collegiate level & then transferred to the University of Tennessee where she was part of the Women’s Rowing Team. Sarah received a Bachelor’s Degree in History at the University of Tennessee & then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in School Counseling at Lee University. Sarah enjoys good food, running, traveling, leading bible studies at her church & has recently taken on the job of coaching middle school girls basketball.

Steven K. Thompson

Small Business Owner | Cleveland TN

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside so many great men and women at FCA! I have approximately 20 years’ experience in banking and finance, with a specialized focus on commercial real estate lending. In addition to that, I am a part-owner in several small businesses in Cleveland, TN, and have been active in real estate investment and development. My faith and my family are the most important parts of my life. I’m married to Arhmin Thompson, and together we are raising four wonderful children, Emory, Truett, Willa, and Elan. I very much enjoy watching my kids do the things they love and are passionate about. I am a native of Florida and a competitor at heart. I grew up playing multiple sports and have always had fun competing and trying to get better. The great thing about competition and sports is there are many life lessons learned along the way. My family and I attend First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN. We are active and serve in various ministries. I enjoy serving as a camp counselor at Camp Cherokee every summer. I’ve had the opportunity to go on a couple life changing mission trips to Egypt. I look forward to forging new relationships and the journey ahead!

Tanner Dillard

CEO of Dillard & Associates

Born and raised in Cleveland, went to UTC on a football scholarship, majored in accounting and finance, married for 7 years and one little girl (about to be 2 yrs old), 9 years in accounting, 6 years as a CPA, 5 years as a licensed general contractor. I have been blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit, and I want to use what I do and the connections I have, to lead and serve others in a way that would direct them to Jesus.