Blue Raider Brag

April Harrington (’07) was named one of the Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2023. Harrington is broker and owner of EXIT Real Estate Experts and the founder, team lead, and sponsor of Destination Finders International. She has distinguished herself through her dedication to advancing fair housing principles and promoting equal housing opportunities for all. Harrington started the Nashville chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance in Nashville. She and her team quickly got to work providing education, advocacy, and presence in the middle Tennessee real estate community.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Rickey Smith (’78), a distinguished military graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration, received MTSU Alumni’s 2023–24 True Blue Citation of Distinction for Military Service. Smith served the nation for 41 years with the U.S. Army, with 28 of them as a field artillery officer. Before retiring, he served as a Department of Defense coordinating officer for disaster relief and homeland security in California, Arizona, and Nevada following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

After retirement from the military, Smith was appointed Army senior professional for capabilities development. He was later chief of staff for the Army’s Modularity Focus Area that led to the most extensive reorganization of Army combat forces since World War II.

Smith’s 1978 ROTC class received recognition as No. 1 in the nation. He recently served as the president of the MTSU Military Science Alumni Chapter. He also earned two master’s degrees and has 19 military decorations and awards, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Legion of Merit. His civilian awards include Meritorious Service Presidential Rank Award, Secretary of the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award, and Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Holly Miller (’96) has been elevated from president to chief executive officer of Collette Health, a leader in patient safety and virtual nursing solutions. Her promotion comes as Collette Health experiences rapid adoption of its virtual patient-observation systems and the recent launch of new features such as position monitoring, which addresses critical challenges in preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

I am honored to take on the role of CEO at Collette Health during this exciting period of growth,” Miller said. “Our innovative virtual care solutions are transforming patient safety and clinical effectiveness in health care settings across the nation, and I’m thrilled to lead our talented team as we continue to amplify our impact.

Miller’s previous experience included chief revenue officer at PlayMaker Health, which led to a successful acquisition by Trella Health backed by Cressey & Co., and more than a decade in sales leadership at HealthStream. A fervent advocate for the digital transformation of health care, Miller is dedicated to implementing virtual care solutions and focusing on clinician experience as pivotal strategies to improve patient outcomes and mitigate the growing challenge of clinician safety and burnout.

Writer, visual storyteller, exhibiting artist, and Entrepreneurship alum L. Kasimu Harris (’04) was one of 51 artists selected globally for the “Prospect.6: The Future Is Present, The Harbinger Is Home” exhibition series programming in New Orleans. The exhibit featured new work by Harris, including a film, photographs, and a sound installation, at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club from Nov. 2, 2024, through Feb. 2. Harris’ new work from his critically acclaimed “Vanishing Black Bars & Lounges” series was part of the sixth edition of the citywide triennial, offering a diverse array of free public programming.

See more at lkasimuharris.com

Amy Sullivan (’02), CEO of Kirkland’s Inc., was elected to the board of directors for the company, which operates both Kirkland’s Home and Bed Bath & Beyond. Sullivan has over 20 years of retail experience in the home decor and fashion apparel sectors, with a proven track record of driving growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

An advocate for developing future leaders, she is an active member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, C200, Extraordinary Women on Boards, and Women Corporate Directors. She also serves on several education and nonprofit boards. Sullivan was recognized as a 2020 Woman on the Rise by the Women in Retail Leadership Circle and completed the Leadership at the Peak program at the Center for Creative Leadership in 2022.

WHAT A VOICE! Marketing alumnus Reid Zingale (‘19) wowed the judges during his blind audition on TV singing competition The Voice.

Preston Porter (’99, ’02) was appointed chief financial officer at Franklin Madison, a third-party administrator of multiple insurance carriers, providing customer service, premium billing, and product support for supplemental insurance products in partnership with various banks and credit unions. His journey with the Brentwood-based firm began in 2000 as an account manager for credit unions. Over the years, he has taken on numerous roles within the Accounting and Finance departments.