The University of Tennessee’s bylaws (Article VII section 7.6) and Contracts Fiscal Policy (FI0420) specify which University employees are allowed to sign contracts on behalf of the University.  Only those individuals on the list below have authority to sign on behalf of the University.  So, if someone’s name is not on this list, they are not authorized to sign on behalf of the University.  This applies for all contracts, regardless of dollar value.  The University is not bound by unauthorized signatures.

 

If you have questions about this webpage, please contact Abbie Shellist at ashellis@tennessee.edu

 

Per FI0420: An official otherwise authorized to sign a contract on behalf of the university may
not do so for contracts involving entities in which that individual is also an officer
or a member of the board of directors.

*Please note that Institution Authority contracts were formerly known as delegated contracts.

 

List of University employees who are authorized to sign contracts on behalf of The University of Tennessee:

 

Page last updated: August 7, 2023

 

First NameLast NameTitleSignature AuthorityBased OnDate of CFO letter (if applicable)
Procurement Services/Purchasing OfficesProcurement and Purchasing staff in UTC, UTM, UTHSC, and UTK procurement/purchasing officesOrder forms related to master agreementsCFO letterDecember 15, 2015
MarkAlexanderAssistant Vice Chancellor Student LifeSwimming pool lease agreementsCFO LetterSeptember 5, 2023
Dr. SuzieAllardResearch Integrity Officer, UTKInstitution authority for regulatory reporting obligations for compliance assurancesCFO LetterOctober 20, 2023
RyanAlpertDeputy Athletics Director/COOFacility license and lease agreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Dr. Steven R. AngleChancellor, University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaInstitution Authority ChattanoogaFI0420
Suzanne BeelerBudget DirectorExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
LindaBelewExecutive Director, Continuing EducationExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
AllenBoltonInterim Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Knoxville Institution Authority KnoxvilleFI0420
Mr. RandyBoydPresidentAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
Brad BriggsSr. Associate Athletics Director/CFOFacility license and lease agreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
BrianBrowningAssociate Vice Chancellor Finance & AdministrationExternal use of campus facilities agreements for UT Conferences and Events Services OfficeCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Dr. Peter F. Buckley, MDChancellor, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterInstitution Authority MemphisFI0420
Dr. Wesley ByerlyInterim Vice Chancellor for Research, UTHSCInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents, for UTHSC.FI0420January 10, 2023
Dr. Herb ByrdVice President of Public ServiceInstitution Authority 13, 14, 15, & 16FI0420
Clay CarrollExecutive Director of Finance, Administration and OperationsPublic Radio Underwriting Agreements and Media Sponsorship Trade AgreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
Dr. KeithCarverSenior Vice Chancellor/Senior Vice President for the UT Institute of Agriculture Institution Authority contracts for UTIAFI0420
Dr. PhilCavalierInterim Chancellor, University of Tennessee at MartinInstitution Authority MartinFI0420
Dr. RobertCraft, MDDean, UTHSC Graduate School of MedicineInstitutional Review Board (IRB) Authorization AgreementsCFO letterOctober 3, 2022
Dr. DeborahCrawfordVice Chancellor for ResearchInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contractsFI0420
Dr. BradDayAssociate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation InitiativesInstitution Authority export control documents including certifications from external vendors and sponsors, custody transfer form from ORNL's Property Office, vendor end-use agreements and UCNI-OUO certification for Y-12CFO LetterFebruary 14, 2023
Dr. RobertDeNovoInterim Dean, College of Veterinary MedicineInstitution Authority Budget Entity 18CFO LetterJanuary 1, 2024
Dr. JenniferEasleyChief Business Officer, UT System AdministrationAll budget entity 17CFO LetterMarch 29, 2023
VickiFarnsworthVice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer and Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and AdministrationInstitution Authority ChattanoogaFI0420
StaciFuquaCoordinator of Field PlacementsPartnership agreements with local schools on the UTM template.CFO emailFebruary 18, 2021
KristenaGallimoreAccounting CoordinatorTennessee Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program forms.CFO letterJanuary 8, 2021
BrentGoldbergVice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, ChattanoogaInstitution Authority ChattanoogaFI0420
Dr. JimGreeneInterim Chief Business OfficerInstitution Authority contracts for UT SouthernFI0420
JodyHamblettWUOT General ManagerPublic Radio Underwriting Agreements and Media Sponsorship Trade AgreementsCFO LetterAugust 21, 2023
ChelseaInmanInterim Director of Sponsored Program Contracts and Agreements, UT KnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts accepting UTK's obligation to perform a sponsored project (funded and nonfunded), material transfer agreements,
teaming agreements with external organizations to pursue external funding
opportunities, non-disclosure agreements/ confidentiality disclosure agreements
CFO LetterFebruary 29, 2024
SamanthaJohnsonDirector, Shared ServicesInstitution Authority contracts for Budget Entities 01, 02, 12, 18CFO LetterAugust 22, 2023
Mike KeenerDirector of Licensing OfficeCollege Crafter Agreements onlyCFO letterMay 16, 2012
MissyKittsBudget DirectorInstitution Authority contracts for UT Extension and UTIA Administration.CFO MemoMarch 30, 2022
RaajKurapatiExecutive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, Health Science CenterInstitution Authority contracts for UTHSCFI0420July 6, 2023
Ron LoewenAssociate Vice President, Budget, Analysis and Planning, System AdministrationAll budget entity 17CFO LetterMarch 31, 2023
LukeLybrandTreasurerAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
Dr. LindaMartinInterim Chancellor, UT Southern
Institution Authority contracts UT SouthernFI0420
KimMcCullockAssociate Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration, KnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts for UTK, UTSI, UTIACFO LetterJanuary 6, 2023
Petra McPhearson Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, MartinInstitution Authority contract MartinFI0420
Rip MecherleChief Investment Officercontracts related to investments, funds transfers, and managing investments, including contracts for subscriptions.CFO LetterJuly 11, 2023
DavidMillerSenior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
CynthiaMooreSecretaryAll contractsBylaws (Article VII section 7.6.)
PhillipMooreInterim Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, College of Nursing (UTK)Letters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placement.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
Sara E. (Sally)MorrisInterim Associate Vice Chancellor of Research AdministrationInstitution Authority UTK contracts tied to sponsored grants and contractsCFO LetterAugust 17, 2023
BrendaMurrellInterim Associate Vice Chancellor for ResearchInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents, for UTHSC.CFO LetterJanuary 10, 2023
AllysonNealAssistant Dean of Graduate Programs, College of Nursing (UTK)Letters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placementCFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
DonnaNeblettDirector of Educator Preparation Program & AccreditationPartnership agreements with local schools on the UTM template.CFO emailFebruary 18, 2021
Cynthia NicholsBudget Director, University of Tennessee AgResearchInstitution Authority Budget Entity 11FI0420
AustinOakesExecutive DirectorContracts related to construction and real property. CFO letterDecember 6, 2019
Marie PennTeam Lead, Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleSignature authority Is limlted to Department of Health and Human Services Proposals
only and provides authority to act as a Signing Official as defined In eRACommons
CFO LetterFebruary 9, 2024
Dr. DondePlowmanChancellor, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleInstitution Authority contracts KnoxvilleFI0420
BrianRangerUTK Biological Safety OfficerBiological Safety documents per CFO letter.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
JoyRitcheyTeam Lead, Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleSignature authority Is limlted to Department of Health and Human Services Proposals
only and provides authority to act as a Signing Official as defined In eRACommons
CFO LetterFebruary 9, 2024
Dr. JoanneRomagniVice Chancellor for ResearchDomestic grants and contracts for UTC's sponsored researchFI0420
Dr. John SchmisseurAssociate Dean and Executive Director of UTSIInstitution Authority contracts and associated documents for sponsored projects by external sponsors upon completed
terms and conditions review by the UTSI Grant and Contracts Office
CFO LetterApril 14, 2023
TheresaSearsDirector of Sponsored Program Contracts and AgreementsInstitution Authority domestic sponsored grants and contracts, and related documents for the Office of ResearchCFO LetterJune 13, 2022
AbbieShellistDirector of Procurement ServicesMinnesota Multistate Contract Alliance for Pharmacy (MMCAP) applicationsCFO LetterAugust 9, 2022
Emily SimerlyUTK Deputy Chief of PoliceUTPD Officer Training Reimbursement AgreementsCFO LetterSeptember 5, 2023
DavidSmelserDirector of Preaward Operations, UT KnoxvilleAttestations that information In the proposal is accurate and correct, cost share obligation letters for the Institution, for Department of Health and Human Services Proposal only, authority to act as a signing
official as defined In eRACommons, any other sponsor specific documents required for the proposal submission
CFO LetterFebruary 9, 2024
JamesStanleyFacilities Security Officer, UTKInstitution authority for classified research securityCFO LetterOctober 20, 2023
RyanStinnettGeneral Counsel Authority to retain outside legal counsel (Bylaws); contracts for legal consulting services and legal research goods and services (CFO letter).Bylaws Section 7.7; CFO letter September 18, 2019
RyanStinnettGeneral CounselDesigner agreements; designer agreement supplements; construction contracts; CMGC contract amendments; gift property contracts for amounts greater than $24,999.99.CFO letterJune 18, 2015
Ryan StinnettGeneral CounselContracts for legal consulting services; contracts for legal research goods and servicesCFO letterAugust 23, 2021
Dr. AshleyStokesUT ExtensionInstitution Authority contracts for UTIACFO letterMarch 5, 2021
Shelia SwiftExec Assoc Dean, Academic Affairs, College of Nursing (UTK)Letters of agreement for nursing student clinical practice placement.CFO LetterSeptember 29, 2023
Dr. James P. ThompsonDean, College of Veterinary MedicineInstitution Authority contracts Budget Entity 18CFO letterJune 6, 2012
KerryWitcherVice President for Development and Alumni AffairsContracts related to planned giving. Mr. Witcher may not sign contracts between UTFI and UT, per FI0420.August 3, 2018
Dr. TamiWyattAssociate Dean for Research; Interim Institutional Official for IRBReliance agreements, investor agreements, certificates of confidentiality applications, Form 310 certificationCFO LetterFebruary 14, 2023
RumiraXhaferaj Chief Business Officer, Institute of Public ServiceInstitution Authority contracts Budget Entities 13,14, 15, & 16 FI0420
Dr. HongweiXinDean, AgResearchInstitution Authority contracts for AgResearchCFO letterApril 11, 2019
Footnotes
**UT Contracts Fiscal Policy allows authorized officials to delegate signature authority to athletics directors to sign non-financial game contracts and housing directors to sign pre-approved form contracts for the rental of student housing. The following individuals have been delegated that authority:
Name Type of Contracts Based On Date of CBO Letter
John Abel Pre-approved forms for student housing Letter from CBO September 11, 2015

If you have any questions about this list, please contact Abbie Shellist, Director of Procurement Services for University System Administration at ashellis@tennessee.edu or 865-974-3110.