FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joyce McDaniel
(615) 425.5310
August 1, 2014

 

Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee

Hosts 22^nd ANNUAL Good Guy Awards

 

Nashville, Tenn. – The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee will host the 22^nd annual Good Guy Awards on Tuesday, October 14 at 12:00 p.m., at the Downtown Nashville Sheraton Hotel, honoring Luther Wright, Jr., Chief of Police, Steve Anderson, Comptroller of the Treasury, Justin P. Wilson and Jeffrey Teague.

The Good Guy Awards provides an opportunity to honor and recognize men who uniquely demonstrate their support of women.  The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee has recognized more than 80 men who continue to support and expand the role of women in the community.  Honorees have included elected officials, official appointees, community leaders, local businessmen.  A complete list of past honorees can be found on the WPCTN website at http://wpctn.com/archives/1292.

 Luther Wright, Jr.

Luther Wright, Jr., attorney at Ogletree Deakins, was nominated by the Lawyers’ Association of Women, Marion Griffin Chapter.  Wright has spent his legal career practicing in general litigation and labor and employment.  Wright has worked with several area law firms as well as other across the county recruiting and mentoring female law students and attorneys and conducting anti-harassment training for corporations designed to eradicate sexual harassment and other forms of harassment in the workplace.  In addition to his professional work, Wright is also actively involved in the community serving many organizations such as:

• Growth Enterprises Nashville, Board of Directors, 2013-present
• Lawyers’ Association of Women (L.A.W.), Programs Committee Co-Chair, 2012-2013
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Mentoring Program Mentor, 2013-present
• Students Taking a Right Stand (STARS), Board of Directors, 2001-present

In addition to service to the community Wright was named the AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell in 2013-2014 and the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), African-American Alumni Award in 2006.  Wright and his wife have established a scholarship fund at MTSU for juniors and seniors who have depleted academic funds and on the verge of dropping out of school.  He also endowed, with his sister, the Luther Wright, Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Tennessee State University.

Chief Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson, Chief of Police for Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, was nominated by the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee.  Anderson is a 39-year veteran of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD).  Graduating from Belmont University and Nashville School of Law, Anderson has served as a law instructor for the MNPD Training Academy and provided legal advice to the SWAT Team and other departments during critical incidents.  Chief Anderson also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the YWCA’s Engaging Men Initiative.

“Since joining the board, Chief Anderson has been a consummate ambassador of the YWCA’s message and mission to reduce violence against women and girls in our community through the leadership of men,” Sarah Martin with the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee said.

Justin P. Wilson

Justin Wilson, Comptroller of the Treasury for the state of Tennessee, was nominated by a colleague Ann Butterworth, with the Comptroller of the Treasury office.  Wilson has served as comptroller since 2009 and prior to that he served as a partner at Waller Landsen Dorth & Davis.  Wilson volunteers with many community organizations including:

 

• Community Health Agency of Nashville and Davidson County, Chairman
• Board of Advisors for the Blair School of Music, President
• Metro Tree Board, Advisory Committee Member
• Cumberland Heights Foundation, Trustee

 

Wilson’s nomination for the Good Guys Award pointed out that while serving as Comptroller of the Treasury the Tennessee General Assembly has passed several laws which strengthen the integrity of the state.  He has also been a supporter of women, appointing numerous women to key positions in his department and encouraging women to become more politically engaged.

Jeff Teague

Jeffrey Teague, President & CEO for Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET), was nominated by friends and colleagues Claudia Huskey and Keri Adams.  Teague has served as the President & CEO of PPMET since 2001.  Prior to joining PPMET, Teague worked for a variety of campaigns working with candidates running for seats in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor and many local elected positions.  Teague serves the community by partnering with organizations such as Nashville CARES, the Oasis Center and the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Under Teague’s leadership, PPMET has instituted a health center advocacy program that encourages clients to register to vote and engage in the political process.  Colleague, Keri Adams stated in her nomination of Teague that he has “lead this organization fearlessly and courageously and I’m proud every day to work for such an unbelievably ‘Good Guy’.”

The Good Guy Awards will be held on October 14, 2014 at the Downtown Nashville Sheraton Hotel. The luncheon ceremony will begin at 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $50. Register online at www.wpctn.com.

The Women’s Political Collaborative of Tennessee is a multi-partisan, multi-ethnic organization that promotes full and equal participation of women in government and the political process. To learn more about the Collaborative, log on to http://www.wpctn.com.