CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 19, 2026) – The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is proud to announce the election of its new Board of Trustees leadership and the addition of three distinguished members to its governing body. These appointments mark a pivotal moment for the organization as it continues to advance its mission of preserving and honoring the courageous legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients and education the next generation about the six character traits that embody the Medal of Honor.
New Board Leadership
The Board of Trustees has elected a new executive leadership team, effective July 1, 2026: Linda Moss Mines, Chairwoman; Dr. Robert Dooley, Vice-Chairman; C.K. Hyde, Secretary; Joel Freund, Treasurer; and Member at Large, Bill Hullander.
Linda Moss Mines is a historian who has spent the last 54 years sharing the story of the republic and its constitution in public and private high schools and colleges and in public forums across the region. She is the official Chattanooga and Hamilton County Historian, serves on the Tennessee Cemetery Commission, chairs the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Committee, Secretary of the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council and is forever grateful to those who have stood on the line between tyranny and freedom.
Dr. Robert Dooley is Dean of the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he has also served as Interim Chancellor and Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. Before joining UTC, he was a faculty member in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University and served as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research from 2005 to 2011. Dr. Dooley has more than 25 years of senior administrative leadership experience in higher education.
BG Kevin Hyde (USAF, Retired) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, a nonprofit serving the Greater-Chattanooga region. Kevin has over 30 years of senior executive experience, including Regional Vice President, United Service Organizations (USO) Indo-Pacific from 2015 to 2021. Kevin retired from the United States Air Force in 2015 as a Brigadier General. Kevin and his wife Jodie have been married for 36 years and reside in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. His official USAF bio can be found at: Brig Gen (Ret) Charles K. Hyde Official AF Bio
Joel Freund has been a CPA for over 30 years. Joel also holds certifications as a CFE, CFF, and CVA. Joel worked 16 years in the FBI as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent working violent crimes and complex financial crimes. Joel’s passion lies within forensic accounting and fraud awareness for businesses and individuals. Joel has over 25 years of leadership experience. War Eagle!!
Bill Hullander has served as the Hamilton County Trustee since 2010. In this position, Bill has been named “East Tennessee Trustee of the Year” in 2015 and was elected president of the Tennessee County Trustees Association (TCTA), a statewide organization that represents the interests of the state’s 95 trustees, in 2018. Bill previously served as the District 9 Hamilton County Commissioner for 12 years while owning and operating a successful small business, Hullco of Chattanooga. In addition to serving on the Heritage Center’s board, he also serves on the board for the Hamilton County Farm Bureau. Bill and his wife, Linda, have been married for almost 56 years and reside in Apison, Tennessee.
Welcoming New Trustees
The Heritage Center is also pleased to welcome three accomplished professionals to its Board of Trustees: Todd Ricke of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Todd McCain of Cumberland Title & Guaranty Company, LLC, and Debbie Whitmire of Miller Inc. These leaders bring a diverse range of expertise in broadcast media, real estate title services, and corporate operations, which will prove invaluable as the Heritage Center expands its educational reach and strengthens its service to the community.
Todd Ricke serves as Vice President and General Manager of NewsChannel 9, FOX Chattanooga, and The CW Chattanooga. A United States Air Force veteran and brings more than 25 years of leadership experience with a deep commitment to serving the Chattanooga community. He is dedicated to advancing the values embodied by the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and supporting its mission to inspire future generations through courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment.
Todd McCain is the founder and owner of Cumberland Title & Guaranty Company. He is married to Christy and has three sons. He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York and served in the United States Naval Reserve. He is a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.
Debbie Whitmire is the Chief Financial Officer for Miller Industries, Inc., where she has been employed for 30 years. Miller Industries, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment with headquarters in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Debbie also serves on the Chattanooga State Community College Foundation Board.
“The appointment of these leaders underscores the organization’s dedication to excellence in governance and long-term sustainability, said Tom Mundell, president and CEO of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, “By leveraging the unique skills of its board members, the Center remains committed to ensuring that the values represented by the Medal of Honor—Courage, Commitment, Citizenship, Sacrifice, Integrity and Patriotism—continue to inspire future of American Character.
The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center remains a cornerstone of the Chattanooga community, providing an immersive experience that honors the sacrifices of the nation’s highest military honorees while educating the public on the history of this prestigious award.
For more information regarding the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and its initiatives, please visit our website at www.mohhc.org.
About the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center
Opened in February 2020, the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is situated in the heart of the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor — Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 19,000 square-foot facility features life-sized, immersive exhibits that memorialize our nation’s highest military award for valor, honor its national heritage and Recipients, and educate future generations of Americans about the six character traits embodied by the Medal of Honor and its Recipients: Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice, and Commitment. For more information, visit www.MOHHC.org.
