The University of Tennessee’s bylaws (Article VII section 7.6) and Contracts Fiscal Policy (FI0420) specify which University employees are allowed to sign contracts on behalf of the University.  Only those individuals on the list below have authority to sign on behalf of the University.  So, if someone’s name is not on this list, they are not authorized to sign on behalf of the University.  This applies for all contracts, regardless of dollar value.  The University is not bound by unauthorized signatures.

 

If you have questions about this webpage, please contact Abbie Shellist at ashellis@tennessee.edu

 

Per FI0420: An official otherwise authorized to sign a contract on behalf of the university may
not do so for contracts involving entities in which that individual is also an officer
or a member of the board of directors.

*Please note that Institution Authority contracts were formerly known as delegated contracts.

 

List of University employees who are authorized to sign contracts on behalf of The University of Tennessee:

 

Page last updated: August 7, 2023

 

First NameLast NameTitleCampus/InstituteSignature AuthorityBased OnDate of CFO letter (if applicable)
Procurement Services/Purchasing OfficesProcurement and Purchasing staff in UTC, UTM, UTHSC, and UTK procurement/purchasing officesOrder forms related to master agreementsCFO letterDecember 15, 2015
MarkAlexanderAssistant Vice Chancellor Student LifeKnoxvilleSwimming pool lease agreementsCFO LetterSeptember 5, 2023
Dr. SuzieAllardResearch Integrity Officer, UTKKnoxvilleInstitution authority for regulatory reporting obligations for compliance assurancesCFO LetterOctober 20, 2023
Dr. Steven R. AngleChancellor, University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaChattanoogaInstitution Authority ChattanoogaFI0420
Suzanne BeelerBudget DirectorKnoxvilleExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
LindaBelewExecutive Director, Continuing EducationKnoxvilleExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Mr. RandyBoydPresidentAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
Brad BriggsSr. Associate Athletics Director/CFOKnoxvilleFacility license and lease agreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
BrianBrowningAssociate Vice Chancellor Finance & AdministrationKnoxvilleExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Dr. Peter F. Buckley, MDChancellor, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisInstitution Authority MemphisFI0420
Dr. Wesley ByerlyInterim Vice Chancellor for Research, UTHSCMemphisInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents, for UTHSC.FI0420January 10, 2023
Dr. Herb ByrdVice President of Public ServiceIPSInstitution Authority 13, 14, 15, & 16FI0420
PaulByrnesSenior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, KnoxvilleKnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts, KnoxvilleFI0420July 1, 2024
Clay CarrollExecutive Director of Finance, Administration and OperationsKnoxvillePublic Radio Underwriting Agreements and Media Sponsorship Trade AgreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Dr. KeithCarverSenior Vice Chancellor/Senior Vice President for the UT Institute of Agriculture UTIAInstitution Authority contracts for UTIAFI0420
Dr. RobertCraft, MDDean, UTHSC Graduate School of MedicineMemphisInstitutional Review Board (IRB) Authorization AgreementsCFO letterOctober 3, 2022
Dr. DeborahCrawfordVice Chancellor for ResearchKnoxvilleInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contractsFI0420
Dr. BradDayAssociate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation InitiativesKnoxvilleInstitution Authority export control documents including certifications from external vendors and sponsors, custody transfer form from ORNL's Property Office, vendor end-use agreements and UCNI-OUO certification for Y-12CFO LetterFebruary 14, 2023
Dr. JenniferEasleyChief Business Officer, UT System AdministrationUTSAAll budget entity 17CFO LetterMarch 29, 2023
Dr. YancyFreemanChancellor, University of Tennessee at MartinMartinInstitution Authority MartinFI0420
StaciFuquaCoordinator of Field PlacementsMartinPartnership agreements with local schools on the UTM template.CFO emailFebruary 18, 2021
KristenaGallimoreAccounting CoordinatorMartinTennessee Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program forms.CFO letterJanuary 8, 2021
Allen GreeneSr. Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating OfficerKnoxvilleSuite License agreements for Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Skybox License Agreements for Neyland Stadium, Boat Dock use agreements at Basler Boathouse, Athletics facilities lease agreements, TopGolf Knoxville agreements governed by the master services agreement with UTCFO LetterJuly 8, 2024
BrentGoldbergVice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, ChattanoogaChattanoogaInstitution Authority ChattanoogaFI0420
JodyHamblettWUOT General ManagerKnoxvillePublic Radio Underwriting Agreements and Media Sponsorship Trade AgreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
TiffanyHarmonBudget Director, Social WorkKnoxvilleInstitution Authority Social Work Field Instruction MOUs using standard templateCFO LetterOctober 1, 2024
ChelseaInmanInterim Director of Sponsored Program Contracts and Agreements, UT KnoxvilleKnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts accepting UTK's obligation to perform a sponsored project (funded and nonfunded), material transfer agreements,
teaming agreements with external organizations to pursue external funding
opportunities, non-disclosure agreements/ confidentiality disclosure agreements
CFO LetterFebruary 29, 2024
SamanthaJohnsonDirector, Shared ServicesKnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts for Budget Entities 01, 02, 12, 18CFO LetterAugust 22, 2023
Mike KeenerDirector of Licensing OfficeUTSACollege Crafter Agreements onlyCFO letterMay 16, 2012
MissyKittsBudget DirectorUTIAInstitution Authority contracts for UT Extension and UTIA Administration.CFO MemoMarch 30, 2022
RaajKurapatiExecutive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, Health Science CenterMemphisInstitution Authority contracts for UTHSCFI0420July 6, 2023
RaajKurapatiExecutive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, Health Science CenterMemphisContracts with foreign universitiesCFO LetterOctober 30, 2024
Ron LoewenAssociate Vice President, Budget, Analysis and Planning, System AdministrationUTSAAll budget entity 17CFO LetterMarch 31, 2023
LukeLybrandTreasurerUTSAAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
Dr. ReinholdMannVice Chancellor for Research, UTCChattanoogaDomestic grants and contracts for UTC's sponsored researchFI0420
Dr. LindaMartinInterim Chancellor, UT Southern
SouthernInstitution Authority contracts UT SouthernFI0420
KimMcCullockAssociate Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration, KnoxvilleKnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts for UTK, UTSI, UTIACFO LetterJanuary 6, 2023
SheliaMcNeilBudget Director, College of Veterinary MedicineKnoxvilleInstitution Authority for College of Veterinary MedicineCFO LetterJuly 16, 2024
Petra McPhearson Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, MartinMartinInstitution Authority contracts for MartinFI0420
Rip MecherleChief Investment OfficerUTSAcontracts related to investments, funds transfers, and managing investments, including contracts for subscriptions.CFO LetterJuly 11, 2023
Dr. LoriMessingerDean, College of Social WorkKnoxvilleInstitution Authority Social Work Field Instruction MOU using standard templateCFO LetterOctober 1, 2024
DavidMillerSenior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerUTSAAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
CynthiaMooreSecretaryUTSAAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
PhillipMooreInterim Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, College of Nursing (UTK)KnoxvilleLetters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placement.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
Sara E. (Sally)MorrisInterim Associate Vice Chancellor of Research AdministrationKnoxvilleInstitution Authority UTK contracts tied to sponsored grants and contractsCFO LetterAugust 17, 2023
BrendaMurrellAssociate Vice Chancellor for ResearchKnoxvilleInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents, for UTHSC.CFO LetterJanuary 10, 2023
AllysonNealAssistant Dean of Graduate Programs, College of Nursing (UTK)KnoxvilleLetters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placementCFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
DonnaNeblettDirector of Educator Preparation Program & AccreditationMartinPartnership agreements with local schools on the UTM template.CFO emailFebruary 18, 2021
Cynthia NicholsBudget Director, University of Tennessee AgResearchUTIAInstitution Authority Budget Entity 11FI0420
AustinOakesExecutive DirectorUTSAContracts related to construction and real property. CFO letterDecember 6, 2019
Marie PennInterim Director, Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleKnoxvilleAttestations that information in the proposal is accurate and correct, Cost share obligation letters for the institution, Department of Health and Human Services Proposals
only and provides authority to act as a Signing Official as defined in eRACommons, and any other sponsor specific documents required for proposal submission
CFO LetterJuly 11, 2024
Dr. DondePlowmanChancellor, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxvillleInstitution Authority contracts KnoxvilleFI0420
Paul PlummerDean, College of Veterinary MedicineUTIAInstitution Authority Budget Entity 18CFO LetterJuly 22, 2024
BrianRangerUTK Biological Safety OfficerKnoxvilleBiological Safety documents per CFO letter.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
Dr. JustinRhinehartInterim DeanUTIAInstitution Authority contracts for UT ExtensionCFO LetterJune 7, 2024
JoyRitcheyTeam Lead, Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleKnoxvilleSignature authority Is limlted to Department of Health and Human Services Proposals
only and provides authority to act as a Signing Official as defined In eRACommons
CFO LetterFebruary 9, 2024
Dr. John SchmisseurAssociate Dean and Executive Director of UTSIKnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts and associated documents for sponsored projects by external sponsors upon completed
terms and conditions review by the UTSI Grant and Contracts Office
CFO LetterApril 14, 2023
AbbieShellistDirector of Procurement ServicesUTSAMinnesota Multistate Contract Alliance for Pharmacy (MMCAP) applicationsCFO LetterAugust 9, 2022
Emily SimerlyUTK Deputy Chief of PoliceKnoxvilleUTPD Officer Training Reimbursement AgreementsCFO LetterSeptember 5, 2023
DavidSmelserDirector of Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleKnoxvilleAttestations that information In the proposal is accurate and correct, cost share obligation letters for the Institution, for Department of Health and Human Services Proposal only, authority to act as a signing
official as defined In eRACommons, any other sponsor specific documents required for the proposal submission
CFO LetterFebruary 9, 2024
JessicaSnowdenVice Chancellor for Research, UTHSCMemphisInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents, for UTHSC.FI0420
September 5, 2024
JamesStanleyFacilities Security Officer, UTKKnoxvilleInstitution authority for classified research securityCFO LetterOctober 20, 2023
RyanStinnettGeneral Counsel UTSAAuthority to retain outside legal counsel (Bylaws); contracts for legal consulting services and legal research goods and services (CFO letter).Bylaws Section 7.7; CFO letter September 18, 2019
RyanStinnettGeneral CounselUTSADesigner agreements; designer agreement supplements; construction contracts; CMGC contract amendments; gift property contracts for amounts greater than $24,999.99.CFO letterJune 18, 2015
Ryan StinnettGeneral CounselUTSAContracts for legal consulting services; contracts for legal research goods and servicesCFO letterAugust 23, 2021
Shelia SwiftExec Assoc Dean, Academic Affairs, College of Nursing (UTK)KnoxvilleLetters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placement.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
KerryWitcherVice President for Development and Alumni AffairsKnoxvilleContracts related to planned giving. Mr. Witcher may not sign contracts between UTFI and UT, per FI0420.August 3, 2018
Dr. TamiWyattAssociate Dean for Research; Interim Institutional Official for IRBKnoxvilleReliance agreements, investor agreements, certificates of confidentiality applications, Form 310 certificationCFO LetterFebruary 14, 2023
RumiraXhaferaj Chief Business Officer, Institute of Public ServiceInstitute for Public ServiceInstitution Authority contracts Budget Entities 13,14, 15, & 16 FI0420
Dr. HongweiXinDean, AgResearchUTIAInstitution Authority contracts for AgResearchCFO letterApril 11, 2019
Footnotes
**UT Contracts Fiscal Policy allows authorized officials to delegate signature authority to athletics directors to sign non-financial game contracts and housing directors to sign pre-approved form contracts for the rental of student housing. The following individuals have been delegated that authority:
Name Type of Contracts Based On Date of CBO Letter
John Abel Pre-approved forms for student housing Letter from CBO September 11, 2015

If you have any questions about this list, please contact Abbie Shellist, Director of Procurement Services for University System Administration at ashellis@tennessee.edu or 865-974-3110.