Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Mark Hooper has retired after 40 years of service with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Promoted to deputy chief in 2024, Hooper has been responsible for overseeing the daily operation of Uniformed Services, Investigative Services, Judicial Security Operations, Special Operations and the School Resource Deputy Unit.
Hooper began his career with the HCSO in 1985 and has served in several units and leadership positions including patrol deputy, sergeant, lieutenant and captain of Investigative Services.
Hooper’s crowning career achievements include his creation and expansion of the HCSO’s Crime Intelligence and Analyst Unit and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit in 2016. The latter made the HCSO the second law enforcement agency in Tennessee to establish a dedicated UAS program.
Additionally, Hooper spearheaded the training and deployment of Naloxone to Hamilton County deputies in 2016.
“Deputy Chief Mark Hooper has earned a reputation as a dedicated and highly respected law enforcement professional in Hamilton County and throughout our region,” says HCSO Sheriff Austin Garrett. “I’ve had the honor of working alongside Mark and witnessing firsthand his steadfast commitment to serving our community and upholding the principles of the law enforcement profession.
“His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary career that has left an indelible mark on our agency. While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy of service will be remembered for years to come.”
Cable-Petticord rejoins Waterhouse Pubic Relations
Waterhouse Public Relations has announced the addition of Lauren Cable-Petticord as senior account manager. Cable-Petticord previously served as account manager for Waterhouse PR from 2013 to 2016. She specialized in strategic planning, media relations, special events, crisis communications and managed multiple political campaigns. Moving forward, she will play a key role in strengthening client relationships and expanding digital strategies.
Before rejoining Waterhouse PR, Cable-Petticord worked as a senior learning technologies specialist in the health care industry. In this role, she helped promote client product adoption and best practices for digital solutions through training programs.
Cable-Petticord is a Chattanooga native and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Lee University in 2011.
Bear Trace’s Carter serving national association
Bear Trace golf course superintendent Paul Carter will serve as the 2025 vice president on the board of directors for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Carter, who also serves as the director of agronomy for the Tennessee Golf Trail, was first elected to the board in 2019.
A 32-year GCSAA member, Carter is a member of the Tennessee GCSA and a member and past president of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. He has served on several GCSAA committees as a chapter and voting delegate.
Carter was the overall winner in the 2013 Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards; the GCSAA honored him with the President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship in 2015.
Carter graduated from Auburn University in 1993 with a degree in agriculture sciences. He lives in Apison with his wife and daughter.
UTC’s Ryan Jones named top fundraiser
The National Association of Athletic Directors of Development has named University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior associate athletics director for advancement Ryan Jones the 2025 College Division Fundraiser of the Year. Jones is in his fourth year with the Mocs and has guided UTC’s fundraising efforts to unprecedented success during his tenure, notes UTC vice chancellor and director of athletics Mark Wharton.
“This is a big deal for Ryan and our entire athletics program,” Wharton adds. “For him to be recognized on a national level is a testament to his leadership and the hard work both he and his staff have put in over the last four years.”
UTC has achieved three consecutive years of fundraising totals over $3.3 million for the first time in athletics history. During the 2023–2024 school year, Jones led a team that raised gifts and commitments totaling more than $4.7 million – a UTC Athletics record. The Mocs Club has also experienced double-digit growth each year during his tenure at UTC.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and success of our university, UTC Athletics (under the direction of Mark Wharton), the UC Foundation and Foundation Board (with the leadership of Kim White) and our athletics advancement team in the Mocs Club,” says Jones.
Jones and the Mocs Club started the “All Aboard: UTC Women’s Athletics Fundraising” initiative that garnered six-figure results in two years to support UTC Women’s Athletics. He also worked to secure donations to fund nutrition for all UTC student-athletes through the Food City Fueling Station. Athletics also secured over $1.7 million as part of UTC’s Mocs Give Day, up from $1.2 million in 2024.
“Working alongside people who share the same beliefs in the trajectory of Chattanooga as you allows you to give your best and get the best. Without that level of belief and commitment, I wouldn’t have received an award of this magnitude.”
Jones was previously honored in 2024 with the UT Foundation President’s Award, the highest honor a UT Foundation employee can receive. He also serves as the sport oversight for the cross country and track and field teams.