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BOARD
Members
Mission
and Vision
Founder’s
Statement
The Citizens for
Brentwood Green Space
CBGS seeks to unite the citizens of Brentwood, TN in support of its leadership in their quest to manage growth while preserving the quality of life and maintaining low tax rates. Key to meeting that objective is to preserve open space in the form of parks, trails, flood plains and historic sites while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and developers.
CBGS explores and keeps citizens informed of viable means of preserving open land, the environment, and quality of Brentwood life. CBGS will propose initiatives, backed by informed citizens, in support of this mission.
Founder's Statement
When my family first moved to Brentwood in 1985, we were enamored of the pastoral, open countryside that protects the clearly defined yet spacious, warm subdivisions. As we became more acquainted with the city, we came to realize that three essential components make up the core of what the people who live here consider to be Brentwood: the large open fields and pastures, the one acre lot density and the great public school system.
Today, for the most part, those components remain intact. Our schools are still some of the best in the state, and one acre lot density is still the guiding rule. However, I fear, as do most of the other residents of Brentwood that I talk with, that the last component, the open fields and pastures, is in great jeopardy. As the value of the remaining land rises and as the owners of those properties get older or their personal needs and goals change, the need to preserve open space for Brentwood must be addressed.
That is why Citizens for Brentwood Green Space (CBGS) was formed. As indicated in our Mission Statement, “CBGS explores and keeps citizens informed of viable means of preserving open land, the environment, and quality of Brentwood life. CBGS will propose initiatives, backed by informed citizens, in support of this mission.”
We recognize and respect the rights of landowners and developers. We also recognize with unequivocal certainty that once a tract of land, be it pasture, hillside or wooded glade falls to the push of the dozer blade, it will never again be what it was before. Houses, schools, businesses and all of the incumbent features of growth and development will eternally erase the bucolic settings we all love, need and cherish. Those of us in CBGS feel that the time to act is absolutely now. Not now just because tomorrow will be too late. Now because there are many, many things that have to be done before the substantive work of actually preserving properties can be accomplished.
Time is definitely of the essence. We must move quickly to establish goals and methods for acquiring and protecting land that treat everyone involved fairly and rationally. CBGS is, as a group, committed to this cause, and we are hoping to find others who share our passion.
You will find other information at this website regarding the purpose and organization of CBGS. This website is intended to serve as an open forum where everyone can express his or her viewpoint. You are encouraged to participate in any way you feel is appropriate. Please let us know the concerns you have and what you would need to know in order to support our effort. We are looking for members who can contribute time and/or money to preserve open space in the City of Brentwood.
-Stephen Prince
Our Mission
Our Vision
We commit to seek opportunities to preserve for future generations open space in the city of Brentwood. We recognize the value and desirability of preserving the unique character and beauty of farmland, forests, and historic properties. We seek to preserve and expand access to land for walking, bicycling and other similar use and enjoyment.
CBGS seeks to unite the citizens of Brentwood in support of Brentwood leadership in their quest to manage growth while preserving the quality of life and maintaining low tax rates. Key to meeting that objective is to preserve open space in the form of parks, trails, flood plains and historic sites while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and developers.
We believe that preservation efforts must take into account the economic needs of the entire community. We strive for equitable balance of the environmental, social, and economic impact of proposed development and preservation activities.
CBGS explores and keeps citizens informed of viable means of preserving open land, the environment, and quality of Brentwood life. CBGS will propose initiatives, backed by informed citizens, in support of this mission.
Through a variety of means, including a website, we will offer information to citizens regarding opportunities and options for preserving open land. Information will be provided concerning alternative methods of preservation such as acquisition of undeveloped land, conservation easements, purchasing development rights and potential funding mechanisms. Citizens will be asked to participate in preservation activities and decisions.
Who We Are
Citizens for Brentwood Green Space, Inc. is a volunteer citizens group organized as a nonprofit (501c3) corporation. Our mission is to preserve open space in the form of parks, trails, historic sites, and flood plains while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and developers.
CBGS supports Brentwood’s Board of Commissioners and city officials in their efforts to assure that ongoing development of land resources is accomplished in a way that is beneficial to landowners, to existing citizens of the city, and to future generations of Brentwood residents.
Our Goals
- Adding 1,000 plus acres of new park land
- Connecting additional areas of the city by bike- and walk-ways
- Preserving our precious historic sites
- Enhancing pastoral gateways to the city
- Making open spaces accessible
Annual Meeting Report
Find the Annual Meeting Report here.
Officers
Gil Hutchinson
President
Joe Harkins
Vice President
David Kumatz
Secretary
Kelli Nelson
Treasurer
Board Members
David Avirom
David Avirom, and his wife Toni, have lived in Middle Tennessee since 2000. Having previously lived in various parts of the country and overseas, they quickly recognized this area as a perfect place to put down roots. They have two Ravenwood graduates, Quinn, and Kyle. David also has a daughter, Tiffany (Montgomery, AL), and a son, Justin (Richmond, VA).
David has a BS and MBA from Florida State University, along with a Master of Military History from Austin Peay State University. He has nearly 40 years of progressive product management, marketing, and technology experience in wireless telecommunications and associated products. Locally, and elsewhere, David has been active in coaching youth sports, homeowner associations, local city government, zoning boards, and is pleased to be a part of Citizens for Brentwood Green Space.
Chris Cummins
Chris Cummins is a High School Entrepreneurship teacher with Williamson County Schools and currently sits on the City of Brentwood’s Environmental Advisory Board. Chris is a 2018 graduate of the Leadership Brentwood program and he has also served on numerous Community Boards including Franklin Tomorrow as well as The Friends of Franklin Parks – which led the effort to raise funds and build the Tractor Supply Equestrian Arena at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin. Although Chris grew up in the Dallas, he has lived in Middle Tennessee for 28 years and is married to a Brentwood native, Serena Hill Cummins. Chris and Serena have three daughters – one attending the University of Tennessee and the other two at Brentwood High School.
Chris has a Business Degree from Baylor University, an M.B.A. from Tennessee State, and a M.Ed. from UT Martin. Chris and his wife currently run their own business together and enjoy tennis, volleyball, hiking, outdoor concerts, and walking their dogs in our local parks. Chris considers it an honor to continue his conservation efforts here in our Brentwood community.
Jay Hancock
Jay Hancock has been a Brenthaven resident since 2000 and previously served on the Board of Directors when CBGS as a founding member. He has been married to his wife, Linda, for over 25 years and has three children who are graduates or attendees of Brentwood schools. Jay is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and works in the Tax Department of Ernst & Young (Nashville). He is a member of the Brentwood United Methodist Church.
Jay enjoys hiking and walking, especially on the trails in Brentwood’s parks.
John R (Robbie) Hayes
Robbie Hayes has been a Brentwood resident since 2008. He is married to Tricia (Tuck) Hayes, a Brentwood native, and they have two children (Holden and Nora). Robbie serves as Planner for WSP USA, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services consulting firms, who provide services designed to transform the built environment and restore the natural one.
Robbie is actively involved in various community and civic organizations, and is a graduate of the 2017 Leadership Brentwood Class. He hopes to provide assistance and raise awareness on the importance of greenspace preservation, to ensure Brentwood remains a special place for future residents and visitors.
Kelli Nelson
Kelli Nelson and her husband Mark are both native to the Nashville area. They moved to Brentwood in 2007 to be closer to their daughter’s school, and because they fell in love with the parks and trails in the area.
Kelli has been with HCA Healthcare for twenty-three years. She serves as tax director, overseeing their partnership and international tax compliance areas. Before joining HCA, she was a tax manager with EY.
She is a graduate of the 2010 Leadership Brentwood Class. Both of Kelli’s daughters attended Ravenwood High School. Since her move to Brentwood, Kelli has been an active volunteer for a variety of organizations. Currently, she is very active in helping PGA Hope, an organization that connects veterans with disabilities to golf. She also volunteers for the TN Golf Foundation and has served ten years on the planning board for the Hope Hines Fore Kids golf tournament benefiting the TN Baptist Children’s Home in Brentwood.
She is a graduate of Lipscomb University and has a master’s degree from Liberty University.
Jimmy Wilson
Jimmy Wilson lives in Oak Hall with his wife Sarah and son Felix. Oak Hall (Circa 1845), located on Wilson Pike in Brentwood, was built by Jimmy’s great, great, great grandfather James H. Wilson, who also built Ravenswood (1825) and Inglehame (1856). Jimmy and his wife are both alumni of the University of the South. Jimmy has a JD degree from the University of Memphis School of Law and is a retired attorney and CEO of two companies. He currently is a partner in the Blue Chair Cafe in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Kathy Crisp & David Kumatz
Kathy Crisp & David Kumatz – These married CBGS Board members met at Vanderbilt Law School. Kathy is retired from her position as Assistant Vice President of Administrative and Business Services at Middle Tennessee State University. Dave is Associate General Counsel at Allianz Life Insurance Company. They have lived in Brentwood in the Carondelet subdivision since 1992 and have two children, Daniel and Adam who grew up attending Brentwood schools.
Don Green
Don Green has lived in Brentwood over 25 years with his wife Amy and two children, Ailie and Brandon. He has spent his career in environmental assessment and policy development, focusing on water quality, stormwater, sustainable development and environmental education across the state and region. He has a BS and an MS in Biology from MTSU and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Don has over 38 years in water quality field working with TDOT, TN Department of Environment and Conservation and TN Department of Agriculture’s 319 Nonpoint Source Program; where he developed and managed water quality grant projects across the state. He developed the Stormwater Program at Franklin, TN, where he served as Stormwater Coordinator for 5 yrs.
He is past member of Brentwood Sustainability Committee and Tree Committee, and past board member of Keep Williamson County Beautiful. He is also past president and currently Middle TN Regional Coordinator of the Tennessee Stormwater Association, TNSA, where, in 2015, he won the TNSA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Don has recently retired from his Water Quality Supervisor position for the City of Chattanooga and currently works as a water quality consultant, teaching with the National Stormwater Center and trying to finish his second historical fiction novel.
Joe Harkins
Joe Harkins is a career marketing professional who has held leadership positions with several Nashville area companies, including Third National Bank/SunTrust, First American National Bank, and GS&F Marketing Communications. Since 2021, he has been employed by the Nashville office of Finn Partners, a global marketing communications firm, where he serves as a Partner in the Integrated Marketing group.
Joe first became involved with the Citizens for Brentwood Green Space as a volunteer in 2007. In 2016, he joined the Board of Directors as Vice President. He has also served in leadership volunteer roles with the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the Williamson County Planning Commission (Grassland Village Special Area Plan), and the Board of Directors of the Nashville Vanderbilt Club. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Joe is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and he has completed Executive Programs in Finance and Strategic Planning at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In addition to his commitment to the environment and sustainability, Joe enjoys walking, classic cars, songwriting, and spending time with his six children and granddaughter.
Gil Hutchinson
Gil Hutchinson, his wife of 37 years, Annette, and their two children, Kelsey and Scott, moved to Brentwood in 1999 from Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Tulane with a BA and Florida State with an MBA. Gil has over 42 years of progressive healthcare management, finance and technology experience and has worked with some of the leading health systems and insurers in the country.
Gil is actively involved in community activities, having served on the City of Brentwood’s Historic Commission, Tree and Environmental Quality Coordinating Committees. He was active in the City’s “Adopt A Soldier” program and is a past graduate of Leadership Brentwood and the Citizens Police and Fire Academies. Other past activities have included being President and on the Board of Directors of the Highland View Homeowner’s Association. Annette is a realtor. The family attends Brentwood United Methodist.
The Hutchinson’s have traveled or lived in many parts of the country, but truly believe that Brentwood is a very special place to work and raise a family. A true gem of a community that deserves to be cherished and protected against the blight caused by extensive overdevelopment.
Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson is a Senior Principal at Mercer Health & Benefits LLC. He is a Nashville native who has lived and worked in Nashville and Brentwood since graduating from Northwestern University in Chicago. A long-time Rotarian (for many years in Brentwood noon, and now Downtown Nashville noon), Mark is also a Nashville Healthcare Council Fellow and a graduate of Leadership Brentwood.
Mark, Melissa (wife) and Kate (daughter, 17) and dogs Buddy and Jake have spent many hours enjoying the parks and trails in Brentwood.
Jim Wiseman
Jim Wiseman, his wife Sandra, and their two (now grown) daughters relocated with a new job position to the Nashville area in 1999. They were attracted to and chose Brentwood as their residence as a great place to raise a family based on the school systems, rural characteristics of open land, friendly neighborhoods, faith community and caring residents in this oasis near jobs and other activities.
Jim serves on this board to help make sure existing and future residents continue to enjoy this great community.
Jim earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting at the University of Tennessee. Jim is a CPA and a 2005 graduate of the Leadership Brentwood program. He has a long history of serving in community efforts including Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America – TN Chapter Board, Youth Sport Coach, Homeowner Association President, Community Garden Organizer et. al.