Board Members

SoKno Pride is proudly powered by an all-volunteer board. Here are the amazing members who help keep the party going!

A man standing outdoors in front of a river and grassy cliffs under a cloudy sky.

George (he/him) is honored to lead the SoKno Pride board and contribute to Knoxville’s vibrant and inclusive community. Having grown up around the world, he has proudly called East Tennessee home for the past 15 years. During his time in Johnson City TN, George was deeply committed to local service and founded the TriPride organization in 2017. By day, he works as a mechanical engineer, and outside of work he is a dog dad, enjoys exploring new places, hiking, photography, and hosting dinner gatherings with friends.

President

George Chamoun

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Baylor has called Knoxville home since 2018, when he moved here with his husband, Kyle, and their Bernedoodle, Norris. By day, he’s a Product Director who puts his Type A tendencies to good use—skills he also brings to the SoKno Pride Board to help turn big ideas into reality. Now in his second year on the board, the experience continues to be a true source of pride (pun intended) and joy. Outside of work and Pride planning, you’ll likely find him at a musical, experimenting in the kitchen, out for a run, or traveling somewhere new.

Vice President

Baylor Sezate

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Shannon (He/Him) is a Knoxville native and is excited to return this year as the Merchandise Director for SoKno Pride! With a background in fine art and an MFA in design from the University of Tennessee, Shannon has channeled his creativity into his role as the Marketing & Creative Director for Dogwood Arts, another local nonprofit that champions the art, culture, and natural beauty of East Tennessee. Shannon is a current member of the Mayor’s Maker Council and has lent his talents to boards like the Old City Association, the Tennessee Equality Project, and the Appalachian Equality Chorus. At home in East Knoxville, he lives his best life with his husband Tucker and their two dogs, Henley and Holston.

Merchandise Director

Shannon Herron

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Emma Potter (she/her) is excited to be joining SoKno Pride this year as the Sponsorship Director. Emma works as a Human Resources leader for a family of luxury resorts. Outside of work, she loves to perform in community theater, learn new arts and crafts, read novels, and spend time with her husband and their three pets! Emma looks forward to using her skills in organization and communication to build relationships with local businesses and ensure that SoKno Pride's events are fun and funded!

Sponsorship Director

Emma Potter

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Crystal Casares

Crystal Casares (she/her) is the Marketing and Social Media Director for SoKno Pride. A Knoxville resident for 13 years, she is passionate about using creativity and storytelling to bring people together, strengthen communities, and create more opportunities for visibility and joy. Outside of SoKno Pride, Crystal works in project management and social media strategy. She can usually be found planning her next trip, going to a concert, or spending time with her two dogs and two cats.

Marketing Director

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Amber (she/her) is honored to serve as SoKno Pride's Secretary! She has called Knoxville home for collectively fifteeen years throughout college and her career. Her career as a software developer has brought her to several places, but she returned to Knoxville in 2020 to re-establish her roots and serve the community she loves. In her free time, she enjoys hacking away at Minecraft mods, experimenting with new dishes in her kitchen, tinkering with computers, and spending time with her partner and two cats.

Secretary

Amber Denton

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Stephanie Cox

Stephanie Cox (she/her) is excited to be a part of the SoKno Pride Board as Treasurer! She has called Knoxville home for the last 12 years. While currently working at a nonprofit, she got her master’s in social work and has always had a passion for being of service to others and her community. When not on Pride business, she enjoys attempting to read more, a good TV show binge, and arguing with at least one of her pets that always has something to say.

Treasurer

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Caroline Stevens

Caroline is so excited to serve on the SoKno Pride board this year! First moving here in 2021, she quickly fell in love with the people, community, and nature she experienced. The SoKno Pride festival has become one of her staple events for the area, so she feels very lucky to be able to help coordinate it! Outside of the board and managing a local national service program, you can find her with her friends exploring Knoxville’s urban wilderness.

Logistics Coordinator

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Morphine Drip

Morphine Drip has been the drag coordinator for four years with SoKno Pride. She is the show host at Hi-Wire Brewing and is the producer of Drag Survivor and numerous other shows around Knoxville, including Sunday nights at Core and events at the Space Bar.

Drag Coordinator

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Baylee Neely

Entertainment Coordinator

This is Baylee's (she/her) second year on the Board as Entertainment Coordinator! She's called East Tennessee home for her entire life and has worked in the music industry for the last 8 years. When she's not working on an event, she's either cooking, petting a stray cat, marathon training, or attending a concert.

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Leah Pendarvis

Volunteer Coordinator

Leah (she/her) is beyond excited to serve as SoKno Pride’s Volunteer Coordinator! She has called Knoxville home for a few years and has loved becoming a part of this community. She is looking forward to being a part of SoKno Pride and giving back by welcoming and supporting volunteers as together they advance the mission of SoKno Pride with the rest of the Board. Leah first came to Knoxville to work at UTK and is now the Training Coordinator for the City of Knoxville. When she’s not planning for Pride, you can find her playing softball, exploring local breweries, or spending time with her girlfriend, friends, and her crazy dog, Griff. If you are interested in volunteering for SoKno Pride, reach out to Leah to get connected!

Jack Ellwood

Jack Ellwood (he/him) has called Knoxville home since 2021, coming from rural Southwestern Virginia. Growing up, he dreamed of moving to Knoxville, “the big city.” Jack’s work background in engineering has allowed him opportunities to lead LGBTQ+ Resource Groups for employees and he is excited to use those leadership and organization skills to support SoKno Pride. Jack enjoys photography, spoiling his six dogs and three cats, and spending time with his wife.