Empower Upper Cumberland: We are ready!
Watch the video above to hear a special message from our collaborative partners and regional stakeholders.
Our Mission & Vision Statements
Our Vision
Our Vision
Prosperity for all.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Inspiring and equipping families, individuals, and communities to prosper.
Working together to lift children and families out of generational poverty.
Forged from the collective, region-wide mission to lift children and families out of generational poverty, Empower Upper Cumberland – also known as Empower UC – is comprised of key community and regional partners including Highlands Economic Partnership (HEP), Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board (UCLWDB), Tennessee Tech University (TTU), Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation (CRCF), and Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) as well as community members.
Click here to learn more about our partners.
Led by Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA), the designated backbone organization, Empower UC is tasked with serving the most vulnerable populations of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region which includes the counties of Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White with a core objective of lifting 1,600 children and their families out of generational poverty by 2025.
Project Leadership & Team

Megan Spurgeon
Project DirectorMegan Spurgeon
Empower Upper Cumberland, Project Director

Jeff Dyer
Operations Development ManagerJeff Dyer
Empower Upper Cumberland, Operations Development Manager

Vicki Smith
Quality Assurance ManagerVicki Smith
Empower Upper Cumberland, Quality Assurance Manager

Balinda Westmoreland
Project LiaisonBalinda Westmoreland
Empower Upper Cumberland, Project Liaison

Evan Smith
Data SpecialistEvan Smith
Empower Upper Cumberland, Data Specialist
Core Partners & Representatives

Mark Farley
UCDD & UCHRAMark Farley
Executive Director, UCDD & UCHRA
Core Partner

Amy New
Highlands Economic PartnershipAmy New
CEO/President, Highlands Economic Partnership
Core Partner

Avery Hutchins
WCTE-PBSAvery Hutchins
CEO, WCTE-PBS
Core Partner

Becky Hull
UCLWDBBecky Hull
Executive Director, Upper Cumberland Labor and Workforce Development Board
Core Partner

Philip Oldham
TTUPhilip Oldham
President, Tennessee Tech University
Core Partner

John Bell
CRMC Charitable FoundationJohn Bell
Executive Director, Cookeville Regional Medical Center Charitable Foundation
Core Partner
Planning Team

Heather Thomas
Cost Benefit AnalysisHeather Thomas
Empower Upper Cumberland Cost Benefit Analysis, Team Lead

Janet Carl
Grant WritingJanet Carl
Empower Upper Cumberland Grant Writing, Team Lead

Jeannie Chaffin
Logic ModelJeannie Chaffin
Empower Upper Cumberland Logic Model, Team Lead

Tony Whiteaker
Needs & GapsTony Whiteaker
Empower Upper Cumberland Needs & Gaps, Team Lead

Lehra Trobaugh
PresentationLehra Trobaugh
Empower Upper Cumberland Presentation, Team Lead

Amye Anderson
Social Marketing & Strategic CommunicationAmye Anderson
Empower Upper Cumberland Social Marketing & Strategic Communication, Team Lead