Dee and Jimmy Haslam have long been committed to Knoxville and supporting its students at both the local and university levels. Jimmy currently acts as the chairman and managing partner for the Haslam Sport Group (HSG), which includes many various sports and entertainment investments, including the owning and operating of the Columbus Crew and Cleveland Browns professional sports teams. Prior to co-forming HSG, he served as CEO and chairman of the board for the Pilot Company.

Dee helped form HSG alongside her husband and now serves as its CEO. Before joining HSG, she worked as CEO of RIVR Media Companies, where she remains as a partner and executive producer. Additionally, she has served on the UT Foundation Board.

Jim Haslam and his late wife, Natalie, have long been dedicated to encouraging the power of education and the pathways it can help open. Jim is a graduate of UT and the founder of the Pilot Corporation, one of the largest privately owned companies in the country. Additionally, he served on the UT Board of Trustees for 24 years and has been honored as the namesake for the Haslam College of Business for his contributions to the college.

Natalie, herself a UT alumna, dedicated much of her life to serving the university and the community through numerous leadership roles and campaigns. In recognition of her lasting impact, the university named the College of Music building in her honor.

Bill and Chrissy Haslam have dedicated their lives to public service and strengthening communities across Tennessee. Bill served as Mayor of Knoxville (2003–2011) and as the 49th Governor of Tennessee (2011–2019), leading historic education reforms, the nation’s first tuition-free community college program, and major tax and infrastructure improvements. As First Lady, Crissy championed literacy, early childhood development, and foster care initiatives statewide.

Today, Bill serves on several national and state boards, teaches at the University of Tennessee, and chairs the NHL’s Nashville Predators, while Crissy serves on boards including the UT Medical Center, Tennessee Kids Belong, and the Dollywood Foundation. Married for 43 years, they live in Knoxville and have three children and ten grandchildren.