Former Van Buren County Ag Extension Agent and Tennessee Tech Alumni Chris Hicks named the UT Extension Central Region Director.
Hicks said he wants to be a mentor for the next generation of extension agents and county directors.
“I’ve spent my career serving but to do it in a new role,” Hicks said. “We are a service, people-orientated organization. Our agents serve farmers, families and 4-H members, and to serve the agents that are serving their communities, I felt like there was no higher calling.”
Hicks will lead county extension offices to provide educational programs involving consumer science, agricultural and economic development. Hicks will officially start his new role Tuesday.
“I think people are first,” Hicks said. “I think if you treat people well then they will go out of their way to perform, so to me it is really about service to our people. If you don’t have people then you really do not have anything and part of that is bringing in new people.”
Hicks grew up in Smith County on a beef, dairy and tobacco farm. He later graduate from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in agribusiness and later received a master’s degree. Hicks said living in the Upper Cumberland formed his motivated work ethic that he wants to bring to the role.
Hicks currently serves as the county director for Smith County.
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