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About Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service

Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service is a non-profit general welfare corporation that serves the citizens of Middle Tennessee with aid in the restoration of vision.
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Our History

Lions Clubs International, then called the Association of Lions Clubs, was formed in 1917 as a service club of businessmen. In 1925 Helen Keller addressed the Lions at their International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged the Lions to “become Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness”. The challenge was accepted, thus began a century long mission of Lions to work in vision-related areas.

Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service Inc. was initially chartered on January 29, 1964. Originally, the group was known as Middle Tennessee Lions Eye Bank and Sight Service. On May 11, 1987, the entities split, with Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service, Inc. continuing its work to help the visually impaired and needy.
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Dianne corlew 80

Dianne Corlew, Executive Director

Dianne accepted a position as the Executive Director of Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service in August 2021. Dianne is a retired Physician Assistant who worked for 35 years in Pediatrics. Dianne has always felt blessed to be able to provide medical care for children and to assist their families. She was a member of the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants where she served in several positions of leadership. She retired early to travel with her husband and serve Lions full time during his term as an Executive Officer for Lions Clubs International.

Dianne and her husband, Bob, have five children, three daughters, and two sons. They have nine grandchildren, four grandsons, and five granddaughters. 
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Our Board Members
 

Current Officers

  • Phil Barnes, President
  • Tom Irwin, Vice President
  • Ashea Dearing, Secretary
  • Chris Ross, Treasurer
  • Chris Ross, Immediate Past President
  • Dr. William Frye, Medical Director
  • Dianne Corlew, Executive Director

Board Members from District 12 I

First Year Directors
  • Josh Lowe
  • Thom Smelser
  • Wade Wilson
  • Emily Wright

Second Year Directors
  • Celia Anderson
  • Tommy Goetz
  • Chelsea Jones
  • Francis Scott

Board Members from District 12 S

First Year Directors
  • Carl Hirlston
  • Cliff Swoape
  • Marc Majors
  • Tony Webster

Second Year Directors
  • Tawyna Buster
  • Daryl Justice
  • Tashena Martinez
  • Gary Overman
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Our Committees and Members
2022-2023
 

Executive Committee

  • Phil Barnes,  President
  • Yom Irwin, Vice President
  • Ashea Dearing, Secretary
  • Chris Ross, Treasurer/Immediate Past President
  • Dr. William Frye, Medical Director
  • Dianne Corlew, Executive Director

Nominating Committee

  • 12I: Emily Wright, Chair
  • 12S: Gary Overman
  • 12I: Phil Barnes
  • 12S: Tawyna Buster

Promotion & Publicity Committee

  • Chris Ross, Chair
  • Chelsea Jones
  • Thom Smelser

Finance Committee

  • Mark Kassing (NB), Chair
  • Phil Barnes
  • Brenda Butler
  • Chris Ross

Fundraising Committee

  • Cliff Swoape, Chair
  • Josh Lowe
  • Tashena Martinez
  • Tony Webster

Application Review Committee

  • Wade Wilson (12I), Chair
  • Tommy Goetz (12I)
  • Daryl Justice (12S)
  • Tom Irwin (12S)
  • Brenda Butler

Low Vision Committee

  • Ron Anderson (NB), Chair
  • Celia Anderson
  • Tawyna Buster
  • Carl Hirlston
  • Marc Majors
  • Francis Scott 
*NB = Non Board member