Meet the 2026
Sage Honorees
Patty reflects the spirit of the Sage Award through her joyful, consistent service and her deep commitment to strengthening the community around her. She has been recognized numerous times for her leadership and volunteerism, including multiple Rotarian of the Year honors, Paul Harris Fellow awards, Franklin Rodeo Spirit Awards, and being named Rotarian of the Decade in 2018. Her volunteer work extends across organizations such as Franklin Tomorrow, High Hopes Development Center, Goodpasture Christian School, and NHC Cool Springs, where she shares her talents and time to uplift others. Known for her humility and belief that “service to others is the true heart of community,” Patty has quietly helped raise millions of dollars for local causes while building lasting relationships throughout Williamson County. Her life is a testament to the power of service, generosity, and community spirit.
Patty Bearden
Patty Bearden has spent nearly three decades building a life of service, connection, and community impact in Franklin and Williamson County. Originally from Knoxville, she moved to Franklin with her husband John and quickly immersed herself in civic life, discovering a passion for volunteerism and community engagement. Over 24 years with Williamson, Inc., she served as an Ambassador and was named Ambassador of the Year multiple times, earning a reputation for her energy, warmth, and dedication to welcoming others into the community. Patty has also worked in sales and marketing with Franklin Flowers and Gift Gallery and WAKM Radio, where she promoted local people and events, and she continues to support her family’s floral business alongside her daughter and granddaughters. Her commitment to service is especially evident in her more than 20 years with the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, where she has served in multiple leadership roles and helped raise critical funds for local nonprofits through the Rotary & Franklin Rodeo.
Ed Cole
Ed Cole has dedicated more than five decades to improving the lives of Tennesseans through public service, leadership, and community engagement. Beginning his career as a teacher of government, political science, and planning, Ed later served in both Metro Nashville and Tennessee state government in roles focused on environmental policy, public health, transportation, conservation, children’s services, and strategic planning. Over 27 years in state government, he helped create statewide public health and child welfare information systems, served as interim commissioner for the newly formed Department of Environment and Conservation, and led planning efforts for the Tennessee Department of Transportation and environmental programs across Tennessee. Beyond government service, Ed was the founding executive director of Cumberland Region Tomorrow and later led the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, bringing together regional leaders to improve transportation, land use, and quality of life for Middle Tennesseans.
Ed exemplifies the qualities of a Sage Award Honoree through his wisdom, compassion, and lifelong commitment to serving others. Throughout his career and retirement, he has continued to lead and volunteer with organizations focused on mental health, environmental conservation, aging, transportation, faith communities, and neighborhood development. Even into his eighties, Ed remains actively involved in organizations such as the Regional Transportation Authority, AgeWell Middle Tennessee, Senior Ride Nashville, and his church community. His leadership is rooted in humility, collaboration, and a belief that everyone deserves to be heard and included. Whether advocating for seniors’ independence, protecting natural resources, or mentoring community leaders, Ed has consistently used his talents to strengthen the community and improve the lives of others.
Mike Fussell
John Michael (Mike) Fussell was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. He is a graduate of Chattanooga City High School and the University of Chattanooga, where he met the love of his life, Beverly Elliott, to whom he has been married 58 years. Following a successful 30-year career in sales and management with a prominent insurance company, Mike opened his own insurance and financial services practice in 1996. Over the years, he has served as president of numerous organizations, including the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Forward Sumner, COMPASS, the Hendersonville Evening Rotary Club, the Historic Rock Castle Corporation, and several professional associations. Mike was elected in 2006 to the Sumner County School Board, where he served for 4 years, 2 years of which he served as chairman. One of his most lasting contributions was helping lead the creation of Forward Sumner, a countywide economic development organization that united community leaders to support long-term growth and opportunity throughout Sumner County. In recognition of his leadership and service, Mike received the 2002 Todd Baker Exceptional Achievement Award from NAIFA and the 2013 Ralph G. Hanning Lifetime Service Award from the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mike reflects the spirit of the Sage Award through his servant leadership, vision, and dedication to meeting the needs of others. He has consistently identified opportunities to improve lives and then brought people together to create meaningful change, whether through economic development, historic preservation, education, or faith-based outreach. His leadership at Historic Rock Castle helped secure a transformative $4 million grant to support education and community programming, while his longtime work with Men of Valor demonstrates his compassion for those often overlooked. Mike and Beverly have been Hendersonville residents for 44 years and are proud parents of two daughters, grandparents to seven grandchildren, and great-grandparents to one great-grandchild. They are founding members of Christ Methodist Church, where Mike has served on the Transitional Leadership Team, sings in the choir, and teaches the JOY Sunday School Class. Mike remains actively engaged in serving others and strengthening the community he loves.
Charles Kimbrough Sr.
Charles Kimbrough Sr., born in Nashville in 1939, has devoted his life to leadership, service, and strengthening the Middle Tennessee community. A graduate of Isaac Litton High School and Vanderbilt University, Charles began his career with Procter & Gamble before spending 39 years in Nashville’s coffee industry. Alongside his professional accomplishments, he built a strong family life with his wife of 33 years, Cookie, together raising five children and enjoying a legacy that now includes 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His commitment to public service includes serving six years as Mayor of Hendersonville, as well as decades of leadership on the Hendersonville and Sumner County Planning Commissions, the Sumner County School Board, the State Republican Executive Committee, and several regional and state agencies focused on growth, infrastructure, and community development.
Charles has also demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others through nonprofit and community leadership. He has served on the boards of Christian Manor, the Samaritan Association, Hendersonville Medical Center, Choices Recovery, and the National Coffee Service Association. Throughout his life, he has been recognized not only for his accomplishments, but also for his character, humility, and servant leadership. His honors include the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce Ralph Hanning Lifetime Achievement Award and the Hendersonville Samaritan Association’s Samaritan of the Year Award. Charles’ lifelong dedication to civic engagement, thoughtful leadership, and compassionate service reflects the true spirit of a Sage Award Honoree.
Ruth Mitchell
Ruth Mitchell has lived a lifelong commitment to service, generosity, and community uplift, rooted in values instilled in her from childhood. Raised in a family dedicated to helping others, she participated early in acts of service such as delivering food baskets to families in need, donating clothing and toys, and welcoming students into her home during the holidays. That foundation of compassion carried into her lifelong civic and volunteer engagement. As a member of St. Luke CME Church’s Christian Youth Fellowship, she was actively involved in community service, neighborhood cleanup, and supporting elders. She also participated in Girl Scouts of America, earned recognition for service and leadership, and later spent years working with Habitat for Humanity through her church.
Throughout her adult life, Ruth has continued to lead and serve across a wide range of organizations focused on education, economic empowerment, and community support.
She has served as captain of a March of Dimes team, co-founded investment clubs focused on financial literacy and community giving and led scholarship efforts for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter for 15 years. Her service also includes work with Project SEE, the Nashville Rescue Mission, Samaritan Ministries, and international outreach efforts in Senegal & Belize. More recently, she has coordinated volunteer support for Cumberland Elementary Magnet School, assisting teachers and students through tutoring and classroom support. Ruth exemplifies “wise through reflection and service” through her humility, consistency, and lifelong dedication to mentoring others and quietly strengthening every community she touches.
Dr. Brent Poulton has spent more than five decades improving the Nashville community through leadership development, education, and service. As the designer of the original Leadership Nashville program in 1976, Brent created a model that continues to shape and inspire leaders today. He has remained deeply committed to the organization by personally opening and closing every class retreat for 50 years, impacting more than 2,000 community leaders. Brent also helped found PENCIL and served as its first Executive Director, helping build lasting partnerships between the community and Metro Nashville Public Schools to support equitable educational opportunities for students across Nashville. In addition, he has contributed to Leadership Goodlettsville and served as an educational consultant supporting students at every level.
Brent reflects the spirit of the Sage Awards through his wisdom, humility, and lifelong dedication to serving others. Known for his thoughtful leadership and ability to guide complex conversations around culture, understanding, and community impact, he has consistently worked behind the scenes to strengthen organizations and empower people.
His steady commitment, generous spirit, and lasting influence on Nashville’s civic and educational landscape make him highly deserving of this recognition. Brent’s contributions, supported throughout the years by his wife Anita, have quietly but profoundly shaped the community for generations.
Join us for the Sage Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 1.
