George R. Bonds, a Dyer, Tenn., native, was named Executive Secretary. Executive Secretary is the same as Executive Director, but the position was temporarily renamed. Bonds was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and Vanderbilt University School of Law. He was married to Sandra Birdwell of Huntingdon, Tenn., and the father of two children – Avery and …

The Office of the Executive Director was created to serve as the central administrative office for the Conference. Edward L. Jennings, a Liberty, Tenn., native, was the first to serve in this role. Jennings also served as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves during WWII and was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and Cumberland University Law School.