ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

Wilson Rides helps to preserve the quality of life and foster a connected community for older adults in Wilson County by providing safe transportation to local destinations.

IMPACT

In 2019, this was the picture of aging in our community:

  • 23,195 adults over age 65
  • 20% live alone
  • 6% of these households do not have a car

In 2021, Wilson Rides plans to give back with:

  • At least 25 volunteers giving a minimum of 2 hours per month
  • At least 250 roundtrip rides within Wilson County

Our Volunteer Drivers will fill the gap in transportation services with this individual scheduled ride service in the county.

TIMELINE

April 2016:

  • Council on Aging and Home Instead Recognize Need for Senior Transportation in Davidson and Wilson County
  • Senior Ride Nashville Pilot Program Begins

September 2017:

  • Maggie Lea (Home Instead) Joins Council on Aging Board of Directors, Wilson County Representative
  • Senior Ride Nashville Hires Executive Director, Carrie Brumfield

April 2019:

  • Maggie Lea (Home Instead) Connects with Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto and Community Leaders

July 2019:

  • Lebanon Wilson County Chamber Healthcare Roundtable Takes on Senior Ride Wilson Initiative

December 2019:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Breaks Away from Lebanon Wilson County Chamber Health Care Council

January 2020:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Establishes and Writes By Laws

February 2020:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Officially Signs By Laws
  • Organizes First Board of Directors and Names Maggie Lea as President

March 2020:

  • Tornado and Pandemic Hits Wilson County

April 2020:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Awarded Non-Profit Status

June 2020:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Receives Funding from GNRC

October 2020:

  • Senior Ride Wilson Files for Charter of Organization and Changes Name to Wilson Rides Inc

February 2021:

  • Wilson Rides Hires First Executive Director, Gaye Lynn Wilson

May 2021:

  • Wilson Rides Hold Ribbon Cutting, Gives Ceremonial 1st Ride

OUR TEAM

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Gaye Lynn Wilson, Executive Director

Gaye Lynn Wilson was announced as the new Executive Director of Wilson Rides Inc on February 1, 2021. Gaye Lynn comes to Wilson Rides after serving as the Vice President of Development for National Pro Fastpitch since 2009 where she managed league sponsorships and licensing, oversaw the management of the League’s Championship Series and Professional Drafts, many of which were held in downtown Nashville. Wilson also took the lead in the development of the league’s digital media platforms, social media channels and internship programs.

Gaye Lynn is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, the University of Central Florida with a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education, a Mini-MBA from Belmont University and most recently a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University.

Gaye Lynn began her career as a teacher, counselor, and coach at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida, quickly transitioning to the collegiate level at Daytona Beach Community College.  As Head Coach at DBCC,  she earned several Coach of the Year honors while continuing to teach and counsel students. After a successful coaching career at the high school and junior college level which included a state championship and a 5th place finish in the NJCAA National tournament, the University of Florida came calling to help start their inaugural intercollegiate softball program. Not only was Gaye Lynn the first assistant coach in the program’s history, she also had the opportunity to be part of the design team for the first softball stadium at the University of Florida. Gaye Lynn was also a part of the first SEC Tournament Championship team and the first softball team to make an NCAA Regional tournament appearance.

Gaye Lynn moved to Hermitage, TN in 2000 to become the Business Manager and a lead instructor at Club K, the largest indoor training facility in the country dedicated solely to teaching young women fastpitch softball skills.  In 2009, Gaye Lynn transitioned to the professional sports world by accepting the role of Vice President of Development and Operations with National Pro Fastpitch, the only women’s professional softball league in the United States at the time. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Gaye Lynn also managed logistics for the league-operated Tennessee Diamonds team which found a home at Lipscomb University. In 2010, Gaye Lynn even coached the NPF Back to School Tour team, a collection of professional All-Stars that played exhibition games against University softball programs across the country.

Gaye Lynn currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Wilson, where she served as Board Chair in 2020 for both organizations. Gaye Lynn has taken an active role in both the Chamber and Leadership Wilson having served on the chamber’s events committee, co-chaired the Business Boost program, co-chaired the Sports and Fitness Council and chaired Leadership Wilson’s Alumni Committee. Gaye Lynn also serves on the board at the Mount Juliet Senior Center, the Women in Sports Committee, a sub-committe of the Nashville Sports Council, and the Outreach Team at Providence United Methodist Church in Mount Juliet, TN. Gaye Lynn received two Volunteer of the Year Awards from the Mount Juliet Chamber in 2014 and 2017.

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Haley Thornton
Cumberland University
Business Administration -
Graduation Dec. 2021