[030]HOOD TO JOIN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OFFICE AT MTSU

HOOD TO JOIN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OFFICE AT MTSU

July 30, 2008

CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MURFREESBORO—Rep. John Hood will soon leave the halls of the Tennessee General Assembly after serving six terms as state representative from the 48th District, but he will continue to serve the state of Tennessee out of the Office of Community Engagement and Support at Middle Tennessee State University.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee established the office to support the university’s overall mission as it relates to addressing the ever-growing needs of both MTSU and the surrounding community at large. The president appointed Dr. Gloria Bonner to take the reins of leadership.
“Rep. John Hood is a good friend of Middle Tennessee State University, and I welcome his expertise and energy to the Community Engagement and Support office,” McPhee stated. “Any endeavor that John is involved in will be enhanced and enriched by his knowledge and skills, and we are extremely fortunate that he will continue to be a valuable resource for a university that he loves and has served for so many years.”
“I am very excited about coming back to MTSU to work on behalf of my alma mater,” Hood said, who will report to his new job Aug. 1. “When Dr. McPhee called to share his idea for setting up the Office of Community Engagement and Support and asked if I would be interested in a part-time position, I had no hesitation in saying yes. During my 12 years in the Legislature, I have worked in support of MTSU, and this will give me another opportunity to represent the university with the community and local governments.”
Hood (B.S. 1954, M.Ed. 1974) worked at MTSU for 10 years, from 1966 to 1976, in development and later as administrative assistant to President Melvin G. Scarlett. In the Tennessee Legislature, he served as a member of the Finance, Ways & Means Committee, Education Committee, Higher Education Subcommittee and as vice chair of the Calendar & Rules Committee. Hood helped to facilitate the Regents Posters-at-the-Capitol program, which showcases undergraduate research at Tennessee universities. He also worked with several organizations to create an awareness of issues involving child abuse.
The 2004 “Click it or Ticket” safety-belt campaign, of which Hood was the primary sponsor, reduced the state’s automobile deaths by 10 percent, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. He also championed Jessica’s Law, which mandates a 25-year minimum sentence for the rape of a child.
Hood retired from SunTrust Bank as vice president of marketing in 1996. He has worked as radio broadcaster, personnel manager and is a veteran of the United States Army, 1954-1956. He formerly served as member and chairman of the Murfreesboro City School Board, president of the Tennessee School Boards Association, president of the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Cultural Arts Commission and president of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
Currently, Hood serves as treasurer and board member of the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (E-911). He also is a member of the board of directors for AAA AutoClub South and serves as chairman of the organization’s advisory board.
Hood and his wife, Marilyn (Stockard), reside in Murfreesboro and have three children and four grandchildren.

####