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On August 13, FTDD staff, Lottie’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate the upcoming retirement of Lottie Ryans and honor an extraordinary career of service, leadership, and dedication. It was a special afternoon filled with laughter, memories, heartfelt stories, and plenty of reminders of just how many lives Lottie has touched throughout her years with FTDD. As Lottie prepares to begin this next chapter, we asked some people on the FTDD team to describe Lott

Andria Smith speaking at the 2025 Education to Employment Summit with panelists Lottie Ryans and Chuck Carter A vision years in the making is becoming a reality for Sullivan County Schools thanks to a $1.5 million New Care Partner grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The innovative project will establish childcare centers that not only support school employees with access to affordable, high-quality childcare, but also create valuable career pathways for stu

Kathleen McLaughlin (left) and Tracy Buckles (right) At First Tennessee Development District, teamwork is more than a workplace value—it's how meaningful change happens. That was on full display earlier this month when the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging & Disability (FTAAAD) was awarded a $100,000 Meeting Unmet Need Acceleration Grant from Meals on Wheels America. The grant will expand access to nutrition services for older adults who are newly in need while helping e