Jayson Keel of Lexington is no stranger to leadership roles during his 30-year Tennessee Army National Guard career. As a 2026 WestStar Leadership Program class member, he learned ways to apply his leadership skills and knowledge to civilian life as he nears retirement from his military career.
Keel was one of 32 class members to graduate June 16 as part of the 36th WestStar Leadership Program class. The state’s oldest regional leadership program is sponsored by the University of Tennessee at Martin and has graduated 1,043 class members since the program began.
The graduation reception and program were held in the Boling University Center’s Duncan Ballroom. In addition to honoring the graduating class members, several presentations were made and Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency since 2016, was the keynote speaker.
WestStar classes are chosen by the program’s board of trustees. Selection is based on individual leadership achievements and potential to contribute to West Tennessee’s development. Class members are selected from all occupations and levels of community and regional involvement. The class participates in six sessions covering topics such as business, education, leadership styles and personalities, government and health care.
Keel, a helicopter pilot, is a chief warrant officer five, the highest rank in his military career path. His official title is state army aviation standardization officer, a role in which he leads approximately 25 instructor pilots across Tennessee. Facilities in Jackson, Nashville and Alcoa house approximately 32 aircraft and serve as bases for about 600 aviators, aircrew and support personnel who fly and maintain UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters.
WestStar provided a community-level view of the state compared to the military world in which
Keel works. He knew people who were involved in WestStar, but he credits his wife, Jennie, for spurring his interest to go through the program. The UT Martin alum is a principal and civil engineer with TLM Associates, Inc., in Jackson and completed WestStar in 2025.
Beyond the potential personal connections that are generated in the WestStar class, his discussions with Jennie as she participated in WestStar showed him that the program sessions covered meaningful content.
“They (program sessions) were in-depth conversations, and they were actually trying to solve problems throughout the community,” he said. “I like to try to fix problems, and I feel like you’re not meeting your capacity as a human being if you’re not trying to help solve problems.”
In WestStar, Keel interacted with others who shared his interest in finding solutions to challenges in West Tennessee communities. All six sessions that began in fall 2025 and ended in May provided useful information and connections, including the March legislative session held in Nashville.
“I had a decent understanding (of state government) from my job, but that’s very military, …” he said. “So, the Nashville session really stood out to me as providing a lot of important information and provides good networking resources as well.”
Keel will take a break following his approaching retirement, but his search for what he describes as a “passion project” is already underway. The non-profit sector interests him, but he’s open to whatever possibilities come his way.
“So, I’m looking for something that is fulfilling, and I don’t know what that is yet,” he said. “But what this (WestStar) did provide me is the opportunity to see a broad width, a breadth of things that I can sit down and think about when I take that breath after retirement.
“And now I have some connections and some resources that when I’m ready to lean into them, that’s what I’m going to do.”
TEMA head speaks
Jake Bynum, UT Martin chief of staff and WestStar executive director, emceed the graduation event and introduced UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. who welcomed attendees. He congratulated the graduates and reminded them that leadership is about responsibility.
“It’s about choosing to leave people, communities and institutions better than when you found them,” Freeman said. “Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid activist and former South Africa president) once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’
“WestStar leadership embodies that idea. Not because education alone changes the world, but because educated, connected and courageous people do. Each of you leaves this experience carrying something valuable: new insight, hopefully stronger networks and a broader understanding of your role in shaping the future of your organizations and communities.”
Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, was the keynote speaker and offered remarks before the class was recognized. Sheehan advises Gov. Bill Lee on emergency management policy and serves as Tennessee’s primary liaison to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“I’m often asked to talk about disaster leadership or crisis leadership because I face a lot of disasters,” Sheehan told the audience. “What I will say is that there is nothing different about leading a disaster than leading every day.
“You are always reaping what you have sown. And, so if you have sown the seeds of community, if you’ve sown the seeds of trust, sown the seeds of relationships, if you’ve built a system, those are the things that you will reap when things are dire.”
Sheehan recalled wisdom that he learned from his father, a retired U.S. Army infantry colonel and two-time Vietnam war veteran, who told him to “never confuse movement with progress.” Clear goals and purpose, combined with the right people working together, are critical for success.
“None of us can do anything that we actually need to do alone,” Sheehan said. “It takes working with people, and what I can hear in this room, what I’ve seen with previous WestStar alums is that you will know how to work together to accomplish things.”
Awards presented
In addition to recognizing graduates, Bynum announced several awards and presentations, including the C.P. Boyd Leadership Award. Mike Cary, president/CEO of Carroll Bank & Trust and branch manager, Raymond James Financial Services at Carroll Bank & Trust in Huntingdon was voted by his classmates to receive the award, which goes to a class member who demonstrates the compassion, leadership and love for West Tennessee exemplified by the late Haywood County educator for whom the award is named.
The 28th Jimmy Daniel Make-A-Difference WestStar Leadership Alumni Award was presented to Leigh Anne Bentley, chief marketing officer for Leaders Credit Union and president of the Leaders Education Foundation. The award is presented to a person who has made a positive impact during the past five years and has a strong record of leadership in West Tennessee during that same period. Selected by the WestStar Board of Trustees, the award is named for the late Jimmy Daniel, a 1990 WestStar graduate, founding board of trustee member and a West Tennessee field representative for the late Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist.
The Dr. Nick Dunagan Leadership Scholarship went to Trey Tarkington of Dyersburg, who will enter UT Martin this fall after earning an associate degree at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas. His mother, Sandy, is a UT Martin graduate who completed WestStar in 2017. The scholarship is named for the UT Martin chancellor emeritus, former WestStar executive director and WestStar co-founder.
The Vaughn RisingStar Leadership Scholarship, named for Cary and Lalania Vaughn of Millington, longtime WestStar supporters, was awarded to Allie Paschall of Paris. A graduate of Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, Paschall will enter UT Martin this fall to study agricultural education. Cary is a 2012 WestStar graduate, and Lalania is a 2020 graduate of the WestTeach, a teacher-development program created by WestStar.
A special presentation by was made to Chancellor Yancy Freeman by the Honorable Judge Mark Norris, U.S. District Court Judge for Tennessee and a 1999 WestStar graduate. Norris is a member of the National Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters, which identifies, honors and preserves the history of ancestors who engaged in agriculture and ranching between 1607 and April 12, 1861. Because of its agriculture program, UT Martin was chosen during the organization’s national meeting in April to receive a gift to support student scholarships, which Norris presented to Freeman during the program.
Following recognition of individual class members, Bynum concluded the evening by reminding the new graduates about the importance of momentum in achieving success and inspiring others.
“As you leave here, remember that great leaders create momentum. … How do you create momentum? You lead,” Bynum said. “You take responsibility for the momentum. You inspire others to do the same. Lead with optimism, enthusiasm and a relentless work ethic.
“Carry yourself with a sense of drive, joy and excellence. Momentum will follow.”
Information about WestStar is available by calling the WestStar Leadership Program at 731-881-7298.
PHOTO: Jayson Keel of Lexington, a chief warrant officer five in the Tennessee Army National Guard, was one of 32 class members to graduate June 16 as part of the 36th WestStar Leadership Program class. The state’s oldest regional leadership program is sponsored by UT Martin and has graduated 1,043 class members since the program began.
