Tom Rogers, the former President & CEO of Cherokee Farm Development Corporation, the development arm of UT Research Park, retired April 11, 2024. Over his 47-year long career, he has estimated to have generated an estimated half a billion dollars for East Tennessee’s economy. 

His legacy at the Park includes the development and construction of new facilities, creating partnerships between private industry and the university, launching the Spark Innovation Center and creating plans to improve access to the Park through recreational opportunities. The Park joins the cumulative send-off to the chief of innovation. It has been fun, Tom.

Before a replacement is hired, an Interim CEO has been appointed for the transitionary period.

Tony Hopson has been selected as the Interim President & CEO. Tony has three decades of experience working with TVA and his alma mater, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He served as the Director of Facilities Management at TVA and later as the Director of Real Property and Space Administration at UT before retiring in 2022. There is certainty in his ability to smoothly hand off the torch Tom has passed on. 

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve in this position and work with the talented staff responsible for developing the Park. The work they are doing is amazing – recruiting research partners to live in the Park, working with developers to build new research facilities, and supporting entrepreneurs as they develop new technologies.“

Tony Hopson, Interim CEO for UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm

We extend our gratitude to Tony as he helps lead us through this transitionary period.

A search committee has already been formed for the next President & CEO. Applications are open on LinkedIn.