Meet our hard-working staff and learn more about their history with the park and Friends of the Smokies.
Dana Soehn
President & CEO
Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as an NPS employee for more than 30 years. She began her career at GSMNP and held several roles at the park. For the last decade, she served on the park’s leadership team as Park Spokesperson. Dana obtained her B.S. from the University of Tennessee and her M.S. from West Virginia University. She lives in Gatlinburg where she and her husband raised their two sons.
Nan Jones
Finance Director & CFO
Nan joined Friends of the Smokies in 2001. She attended Carson-Newman University and Walters State Community College where she studied accounting, computer science, and business management.
Kathryn Hemphill
Chief Development Officer
Kathryn started her career at Friends in the Special Events department for 9 years before becoming Chief Development Officer in 2024. She received her B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Tennessee and her M.S. in Childhood Education from Hofstra University. Kathryn and her husband love exploring the Smokies with their two children.
Lauren Gass
Philanthropy Director
Lauren has worked for Friends of the Smokies since 2002. She graduated from Samford University. Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband, Jim, and sons Anderson and Link.
Lindsay Howell
Special Events Director
Lindsay joined Friends in 2022 with a professional background in events directing, hospitality, and sales management. She moved from Indiana to East Tennessee in 2005 for her love of the mountains. Lindsay and her husband have two daughters. She enjoys watching sports, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Jim Matheny
Communications Director
Jim joined Friends in 2024. His love for the Smokies grew while covering the national park for WBIR in Knoxville, where his journalism won several Emmys and National Murrow Awards. The Zebulon, N.C., native obtained his B.S. from East Carolina University and his master’s from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Jim and his wife enjoy live music, the outdoors, spoiling their dog, and spending time with loved ones.
Krista Heilmeier
Development Manager
Krista joined Friends in 2018. She earned her B.A. in Piano Performance from Carson Newman University and is currently working on her MBA. She and her husband, Frankie, enjoy the outdoors and spending time with their dog, Rudy.
David Aranda
Accounting Manager
David joined Friends in 2024. He earned an MBA and Bachelor of Accounting from Carson-Newman University. He also attended Walters State Community College. David’s background includes corporate accounting as well as experience in home construction with his father. David enjoys searching and exploring deserted places and imagining the grandeur they held prior to abandonment.
Debbie Speelman
Database & Accounting Associate
Debbie joined Friends in 2019. She is originally from Pennsylvania. After vacationing in the Smoky Mountains for years, she and her family made the move to Tennessee. Debbie enjoys camping, hiking, as well as spending time with her husband and their two children.
Olivia Wright
Outreach Coordinator
Olivia joined Friends in 2023. She grew up in Asheville, N.C., and has visited the park throughout her life. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development and is currently working on her master’s in Public Affairs at Western Carolina University. Olivia has worked at several environmental nonprofits. She enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Hannah Kincade
Development Associate
Hannah joined Friends in 2024 after she moved from Missouri to Tennessee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations at Missouri State University and has worked in marketing, advertising and nonprofit. Hannah enjoys all things art related whether it’s painting, sketching or sewing a quilt.