![tom-and-susan Tom Cervone and Susan Creswell well Leadership Knoxville alum to the homecoming event at the zoo.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tom-and-susan.jpg)
Tom Cervone and Susan Creswell welcome Leadership Knoxville alum to the homecoming event at the zoo.
One of the keys to the success of the Leadership Knoxville program — now in its 28th year — is the continued involvement of the more than 1,000 alumni of the program. To that end, once a year, all past participants are invited back to a “homecoming” evening — basically a cocktail party in a fun setting. Last week that meant the Knoxville Zoo.
Amid an upscale safari theme, we gathered in the big plaza at the front entrance to the zoo and caught up with one another. I’m sure the animals were not very amused, as the noise level was substantial at a time I’m guessing they were ready to turn in for the night. With a program that was minimalist — just a few announcements — the homecoming showcased what some say is the most important thing about Leadership Knoxville — the bonds that are formed among participants.
The members of the host committee were the ones wearing safari attire.
Another great Leadership Knoxville program — to which the public also is invited — is the series of “Behind the Scenes” events. Last year, participants went behind the scenes to learn the inside secrets of Clayton Sales School (click here to read about that), Scripps Networks Interactive (click here) and Blackberry Farm (click here). The upcoming “Behind the Scenes series” will feature peeks at little-known aspects of DeRoyal Industries, PetSafe and the Richard Jolley exhibit at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The DeRoyal event will be November 13 at the beautiful North Knoxville home of Pete and Cindi DeBusk. Keep an eye on the Leadership Knoxville website for more information.
![combs Michael Combs plays percussion in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, so his choice of props was appropriate.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/combs.jpg)
Michael Combs plays percussion in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, so his choice of props was appropriate.
![madeline-and-nick Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis were on hand.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/madeline-and-nick.jpg)
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis were on hand.
![tim-and-jeff Tim Young, left, and Jeff Cupp. Tim is the current board chair of Leadership Knoxville.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tim-and-jeff.jpg)
Tim Young, left, and Jeff Cupp. Tim is the current board chair of Leadership Knoxville.
![chris-and-bob-kahn Chris and Bob Kahn](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chris-and-bob-kahn.jpg)
Chris and Bob Kahn
![malaria-prevention Here's how the bar was labeled! Ha.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/malaria-prevention.jpg)
Here's how the bar was labeled! Ha.
![crowd-2 It was a perfect evening.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/crowd-2.jpg)
It was a perfect evening.
![janet-and-justin-fee Janet Testerman and event photographer Justin Fee. His company is called "Photografee!" Ha.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/janet-and-justin-fee.jpg)
Janet Testerman and event photographer Justin Fee. His company is called "Photografee!" Ha.
![roaches1 Mintha and Jon Roach](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/roaches1.jpg)
Mintha and Jon Roach
![griesses Judy and John Griess](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/griesses.jpg)
Judy and John Griess
![gay-and-carson Gay Lyons and Carson Hughes](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/gay-and-carson.jpg)
Gay Lyons and Carson Hughes
![jennifer-alan-tammy Jennifer Holder, left, Alan Carmichael and Tammy White, the executive director of Leadership Knoxville](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jennifer-alan-tammy.jpg)
Jennifer Holder, left, Alan Carmichael and Tammy White, the executive director of Leadership Knoxville
![hairstons-peter-ellen1 Peyton and Tonya Hairston, left, with Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/hairstons-peter-ellen1.jpg)
Peyton and Tanya Hairston, left, with Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson
![mark-walker-daniels-elmore Mark Walker, left, with Patsy and Charlie Daniel and Bill Elmore, right.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mark-walker-daniels-elmore.jpg)
Mark Walker, left, with Patsy and Charlie Daniel and Bill Elmore, right.
![david-sandy-karen-pershing-chuck From left, David and Sandy Martin, Karen Pershing, Chuck Morris](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/david-sandy-karen-pershing-chuck.jpg)
From left, David and Sandy Martin, Karen Pershing, Chuck Morris
![palmer-lyons-bosch City Councilwoman Brenda Palmer, left, with Bill Lyons, center, and Don Bosch](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/palmer-lyons-bosch.jpg)
City Councilwoman Brenda Palmer, left, with Bill Lyons, center, and Don Bosch
![dodd-betsy-sue-cange Dr. Susan Dodd, left, with Betsy Child, center and Sue Cange](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dodd-betsy-sue-cange.jpg)
Dr. Susan Dodd, left, with Betsy Child, center and Sue Cange
![richard-amy Richard Cate and Amy Nolan](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/richard-amy.jpg)
Richard Cate and Amy Nolan
![crowd Everyone simmered down for a few minutes of announcements.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/crowd.jpg)
Everyone simmered down for a few minutes of announcements.
![tim-talking Leadership Knoxville Board Chair Tim Young knows how to read a crowd and keep his remarks brief and to the point! Yay, Tim!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tim-talking.jpg)
Leadership Knoxville Board Chair Tim Young knows how to read a crowd and keep his remarks brief and to the point! Yay, Tim!
![janet-and-jerry Janet Testerman with Jerry Kruse, owner of The Pour Guys, an excellent bartending service.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/janet-and-jerry.jpg)
Janet Testerman with Jerry Kruse, owner of The Pour Guys, an excellent bartending service.
![judith-rosa-gay From left, Judith Foltz, Rosa Mar and Gay Lyons](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/judith-rosa-gay.jpg)
From left, Judith Foltz, Rosa Mar and Gay Lyons
![martha-and-nancy Dr. Martha Buchanan, left, with Nancy Young](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/martha-and-nancy.jpg)
Dr. Martha Buchanan, left, with Nancy Young
![johnson-swingtet One of our favorite bands, The Johnson Swingtet, provided tunes.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/johnson-swingtet.jpg)
One of our favorite bands, the Johnson Swingtet, provided tunes.
![stephanie-and-kathy-brown Stephanie Welch, left, with Kathy Brown](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/stephanie-and-kathy-brown.jpg)
Stephanie Welch, left, with Kathy Brown
![bruce-and-cervone Bruce Anderson, left, with Tom Cervone](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/bruce-and-cervone.jpg)
Bruce Anderson, left, with Tom Cervone
![ed-and-cile-mathews Ed and Cile Mathews](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ed-and-cile-mathews.jpg)
Ed and Cile Mathews
![mike-and-debbie-magill Mike and Debbie Magill](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mike-and-debbie-magill.jpg)
Mike and Debbie Magill
![wes-stowers-and-friends Wes Stowers, left, with Lindsay Hammill and H.E. Bittle](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wes-stowers-and-friends.jpg)
Wes Stowers, left, with Lindsay Hammill and H.E. Bittle
![robyn-and-janet Robyn Ulrich, left, with Scripps Networks colleague Janet Testerman](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/robyn-and-janet.jpg)
Robyn Ulrich, left, with Scripps Networks colleague Janet Testerman
![jennifers-car1 My favorite car in Knoxille: Jennifer Holder's Thunderbird convertible. She bought it on EBay!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/jennifers-car1.jpg)
As we left the party, we passed my favorite car in Knoxille: Jennifer Holder's Thunderbird convertible. She bought it on eBay!
We passed her car too. I love it. I have a black on black convertible T-Bird 2002. Love mine too.
Awesome, Cammie! I didn’t know that!
Love, love the pic of Tom and Susan!
A shout out to the members of the BPE–best party team ever. Thanks for coming–and thanks for posting the great photos.
Robin: I do, too! I also heard that their costumes came from Clarence Brown! Very cool.
Gay: Thanks for all your work on the event.
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