The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County Elects New Board Chair and Members
The organization names a new board chair and seven new members who are esteemed community leaders
FRANKLIN, TN – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, the nonprofit committed to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic, and cultural heritage, has elected Bo Segers as Board Chair, in addition to seven new board members. Segers, General Counsel, The Breakaway League, LLC, has been a longtime supporter of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and will help the organization continue its mission in the New Year.
“I’m proud to be trusted to lead the Board of Directors of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County in what is shaping up to be the most significant and transformative phase in the organization’s nearly 60-year history,” said Segers. “Both our new and returning members to this Board are amongst the highest caliber individuals and most accomplished leaders in this community. It’s a testament to the Heritage Foundation, its impact on Williamson County, and its leadership that these community members are willing to commit their time and considerable talents to its cause.”
Adding to its already strong board leadership, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has instated the following community leaders to its board:
- Roy Brown, Retired Police Officer, Franklin Police Department
- Lori Donaldson, CEO and Partner of Current Marketing Solutions
- David Garrett, Trial Attorney at Garrett | Talley and Thorington
- Joe Jennings, Affiliate Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty
- Frank Kelton, Retired Owner of San Luis Ambulance
- Lauren Murphy, Founder, Operation Fairy Godmother
- Chris Walker, Founding Partner, The Poplar Group
- Mark Sutton and Megan Alexander were both reelected to their board positions for a second term
“As we look to the New Year, we are excited to continue our growth and mission to preserve Williamson County,” said Bari Beasley, president and CEO of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. “With the appointment of a new board chair and members, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County will continue an upward trajectory, while exploring new ways to impact our community. Each member brings a new perspective and passion to our board, and we thank them for their dedication.”
The Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in directing the strategic growth of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and its five Divisions; The Franklin Theatre which contributes almost $5 million annually to the local economy; the Downtown Franklin Association which supports the 200 business owners who make shopping in Franklin magical and free community events possible such as Main Street Festival, Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas which contribute $10 million annually to the local economy; Preserve Williamson which drives vital advocacy, education, and preservation initiatives; The Moore-Morris History and Culture Center, the country’s only immersive center for history and education; and Franklin Grove Estates & Gardens, an educational and cultural amenity currently under construction.
For more information on donating, visit: https://williamsonheritage.org/donate/
The background of new board members and chair are as follows:
Bo Segers (Board Chair), General Counsel, The Breakaway League, LLC
Bo Segers is the General Counsel for The Breakaway League, LLC. In this role, he has primary responsibility for the legal issues affecting the League. In addition, he assists its clients to understand the implications of their retirement choices. He continues to work with a strong team of people whose goal is to help their clients succeed. He joined The Breakaway League LLC in January 2020 and continues his efforts to be a strong partner and advisor. Segers has been practicing law since 1991, and he is licensed in Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademarks Office. Before being appointed Board Chair to the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County this year, Segers has previously served as a Board Member since 2023. In addition, he served as the Heritage Ball Chair with his wife, Debbie, for the 2025 52nd Annual Heritage Ball.
Roy Brown, Retired Police Officer for the City of Franklin
Roy Brown is a dedicated community leader with a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, having served as a patrol officer, SWAT team member, and investigator. A lifelong resident of Williamson County and a graduate of Natchez High School, he has long been committed to local youth, notably helping to establish the Midnight Basketball program with the Franklin Boys & Girls Club.
Following his retirement from the Franklin Police Department in 2015, Roy transitioned to a role as an investigator for the District Attorney’s Office, continuing his lifelong pursuit of public safety and justice. His deep roots in the community and extensive experience in civil service make him an invaluable addition to the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s Board of Directors. In this new role, he will leverage his unique perspective and decades of local expertise to help preserve and celebrate the county’s rich history.
Lori Donaldson, CEO and Partner of Current Marketing Solutions
Lori Donaldson is the CEO and Partner of Current Marketing Solutions, a strategic marketing agency located on Main Street in historic Franklin, Tennessee. With extensive experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and growth planning, Lori works with organizations to clarify their message and scale with purpose. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards over the years and is a recipient of the National Jefferson Award for corporate philanthropy. Lori currently serves on the Downtown Franklin Association Advisory Board, where she has contributed for over two years, and previously served on the board of the Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance. She is deeply committed to community leadership, thoughtful growth, and supporting organizations that create meaningful and lasting impact.
David Garrett, Trial Attorney, Garrett | Talley and Thorington
David Garrett is highly recognized as a family law attorney with Garrett | Thorington & Talley and has been practicing for close to 40 years. He has earned a reputation as one of the most respected attorneys in Middle Tennessee. Garrett was recently appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve on the Tennessee Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission and has been recognized by his peers with an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and selection to the Mid-South Super Lawyers List. David has been heavily involved with the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and returns as a board member after serving as the President of the Board from 2007-2011. While serving as the President, he led the efforts to raise over $8 million to restore and reopen the Franklin Theatre. He again served as Board Chair from 2017-2024, leading efforts to raise funds and develop plans for Franklin Grove. For his contributions to the community, he has received the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s Patron’s Award, and Franklin Tomorrow’s Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award.
Joe Jennings, Affiliate Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty
Joe Jennings is a multi-award-winning real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty, located in Brentwood, Tennessee. With a passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of the real estate market, Joe’s expertise has made him a prominent figure in the industry. In addition to his work in real estate, Joe and his wife, Paige, own and manage Bell Vie Farms and Events, a picturesque venue in West Tennessee that hosts a variety of events. Their commitment to providing exceptional experiences for guests reflects their dedication to excellence in both business and hospitality. With deep roots in Tennessee, Joe moved to Williamson County in 2019, driven by his passion for preservation and community engagement. He has been an active member of the Heritage Foundation, where he applies his background in architecture and design to advocate for the preservation of the region’s history and cultural heritage. Joe is also a long-time member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, further underscoring his commitment to safeguarding historic sites and promoting sustainable community development.
Frank Kelton, Retired Owner of San Luis Ambulance
Frank and Betsey Kelton owned and operated San Luis Ambulance from 1974-2013, which provides critical care ambulance transportation in San Luis Obispo County with the highest standard of excellence. They have eight crew stations throughout the county, ranging from Paso Robles to Nipomo, where they employ over 150 staff members including EMTs, paramedics, and registered nurses. A true community leader, Frank created the San Luis Ambulance Explorer Program – a unique volunteer program which provides hands-on experience and scholarships for young adults interested in pursuing a career in the field of medicine. Frank served terms as president of the Emergency Medical Services Agency and the California Ambulance Association, as well as serving on the Emergency Medical Care Committee for the San Luis Obispo County for over 25 years. Kelton has been a resident of Franklin, Tennessee since 2019, and is a member of the Vineyard Church.
Lauren Murphy, Founder, Operation Fairy Godmother
Lauren Murphy has called Franklin home for the last 24 years. She has a strong commitment to education, having worked as a teacher in Metro Schools, and she sits on the board of the Deering Park Charter School in Florida. Lauren also has a deep and personal allegiance to Breakthrough/JDRF of Middle Tennessee. She started the local nonprofit Operation Fairy Godmother offering free prom dresses to young ladies within the community. Lauren is a proud mom to two young men and a stepmother to two young ladies. She and her husband, Michael, are very excited to be part of the legacy being created by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. Lauren is a graduate of the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Chris Walker, Founding Partner, The Poplar Group
Chris Walker is a Founding Partner of The Poplar Group, a full-service public affairs and government affairs firm with offices in Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina. He has years of experience working with various clients and campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels, and he has led multiple high-profile and high-stakes communications and public policy efforts. Previously, Walker served on the staff of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee as Senior Advisor and Director of Communications, a cabinet-level appointment. In this role, he oversaw the communications strategies for the governor and his administration, including 23 cabinet departments. He also served as a Senior Communications Advisor on Governor Lee’s gubernatorial campaign, helping plan and execute the governor’s campaign strategy, messaging, and strategic communications efforts. Walker’s experience also includes time with Tennessee SCORE, a non-partisan K-12 and higher education advocacy organization founded by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist. He has also served as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and he served in the George W. Bush administration as a Public Affairs officer at the Department of the Treasury and as a Defense Fellow at the Department of Defense. Walker is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, and he currently lives in Nashville with his wife and two children.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Thanks to its visionary stewardship and the support of donors throughout the community, notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, PumpkinFest and Dickens of a Christmas bring an estimated 300,000+ locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year that creates more than a $10 million economic impact annually. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and its newest historic adaptive reuse project: The History & Culture Center of Williamson County. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County continues to fundraise for the full construction and completion of Franklin Grove, which will be one of the premiere landmark destinations that creates a sense of place, timelessness and beauty for all people to engage with education, art, history, nature and community.
In addition, it relies on support from the community to put on its popular free festivals such as Pumpkin Fest, Main Street Festival, and Dickens of a Christmas, as well as to drive vital preservation initiatives and education opportunities. For more information on donating, visit: https://williamsonheritage.org/donate/
