Staff
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 a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University.
Gaye Lynn currently serves on the Mount Juliet Senior Activities Center Board and The Volunteer Network Advisory Committee. She served on the Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Leadership Wilson Board of Directors from 2014-2021 where she also served as Chairman of the Board 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 and Non Profit Council Leadership programs, co-chaired the Sports and Fitness Council and chaired the Leadership Wilson’s Alumni Committee. She received two Volunteer of the Year Awards from the Mount Juliet Chamber in 2014 and 2017 and the Wilsonian of the Year Award in 2022. She also received the Non Profit of Excellence Award in 2022 from the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber. Gaye Lynn currently serves on the Outreach Team at Providence Church in Mount Juliet, TN and is a member of the Lebanon Noon Rotary Club.
Cathy Rhodes
Transportation Coordinator
Born and raised in the Buffalo, New York, area Cathy Rhodes is happy to have settled in Middle Tennessee. She attended SUNY Fredonia where she met her husband, David Rhodes. They have three grown children and a grandson. They called South Florida home for seventeen years before moving to Tennessee. Currently residing back in Lebanon they also enjoyed a short time in Mt Juliet before realizing they downsized too soon.
A few of Cathy’s occupations over the years consisted of retail, secretary, mom, and caregiver. She proudly owned the Town Planner Community Calendar for ten years in Wilson and Sumner Counties. Starting with just two editions of the calendar she grew it to nine and was involved with seven chambers of commerce. It was a great opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and make some great friends.
In 2019, after a serious conversation with her daughter’s friend, she decided to try out for the Nashville Roller Derby. Cathy had been an avid roller skater in her youth. So what if she hadn’t been on skates in 35 years! After attending a bout with friends she decided to give it a shot. Boot camp began that August and by February of 2020 she had made the C team – The Crawlstars. Unfortunately the pandemic put a stop to the Roller Derby season and a halt to her career. Happy that she accomplished her goal of making the team, she can proudly display her jersey at home
with her number, 66, and her name, Queen Rhodes Rash.
Cathy has volunteered for several organizations including chambers of commerce, Rotary, Charis Health Center, Lebanon High School Marching Band, Wilson County Fair, Tennessee Achieves and Wilson Rides. She began driving for Wilson Rides in June of 2021. After a few rides she realized how rewarding it was and tried to average one ride a week. When the opportunity came up to help out at local events she stepped in and eventually became the person in charge of the Ambassadors.
Cathy and Dave live in Lebanon with their dog, Indiana. Their children are grown and living in Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia. Dave is a CFP and owns Mt Juliet Advisors. They love to travel, play games, watch the Buffalo Bills and just relax in their backyard.
Board of Directors
Susan is the project administrator for Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto. She retired from a career in specialty and commercial insurance global operations, risk management, and compliance. Profile available on LinkedIn.
Key Board Qualifications:
- Passion for community service
- 6 years’ experience in local government and 28 years’ experience in insurance company operations
- Skilled in project management, public speaking, insurance operations, non-profit development, and fundraising
- Co-Chair of Drug Free Wilco through 2024
- President-Lebanon Noon Rotary Club (2024-2025)
- Leadership Middle Tennessee Graduate (2024)
- Member of Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce
Maggie is the owner of Home Instead, a caregiver service for older adults with multiple locations in Middle Tennessee. Profile available on LinkedIn.
Key Board Qualifications:
- Passion for helping adults as they age
- 10 years’ experience in senior caregiver business
- Entrepreneurial skills starting up and running a successful business
- Skilled in public speaking, home care and healthcare management, leadership, team building, customer service, and fundraising
- Founder of Be a Santa To a Senior in Wilson County, helping over 16,000 seniors as of 2023
Traci is the Director of Community Relations at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital where she has worked for the past 8 years. Profile available on LinkedIn.
Key Board Qualifications:
- Passion for seniors and community service
- 12 years’ experience in the hospital; 15 years’ experience in a surgical clinic
- Civic leader involved in Rotary Club and Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce
- Skilled in public relations, marketing, volunteer management, and physician relations
- Board member of Leadership Wilson and Mount Juliet Chamber (2021-Present)
- Mount Juliet Rotary Club (2020-Present)
- Mount Juliet Rotary Club President – 2024
- Chairman of the Board, Leadership Wilson (2022)
- Chairman of the Board, Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce (2023)
- Large network of professional and business contacts in the community
Danielle Drueck has a passion for maintaining the dignity of Wilson County senior citizens.
- Passion for serving others
- 30 yrs. of experience as a CPA and business owner in Mount Juliet, TN
- Treasurer of Cooks United Methodist Church
- Treasurer & CFO- Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce (2016-2022)
- Board Member, Donelson and Mount Juliet YMCA’s
Glenda is retired from the Veteran’s Administration where she was an Assistant Service Center Manager responsible for over 300 employees. Profile available on LinkedIn.
Key Board Qualifications
- Passion for helping veterans, senior adults as they age
- 42 years Federal service, 40+ years serving veterans and their families
- 10 years dealing with the public (all ages) as office manager in accounting office • 35 years involved in church atmosphere as a teacher, youth director, fellowship director and church administrator
- Participated in community clubs such as Jaycettes and Lions Club
From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Jay Major, Robert Bryan, Danielle Drueck, Gaye Lynn Wilson, Maggie Lea, Traci Pope, Susan Shaw, Glenda Taylor, Heather Sadler Gallaher. Not pictured: Travenia Holden
Apply to Join the Board
Wilson Rides Inc. invites dedicated individuals to apply for our Board of Directors. Applications are accepted year-round through our online form. The Board meets every other month, specifically in January, March, May, July, September, and December, on the 3rd Tuesday from 3:30 – 4:45 pm.
Application Process:
- October: Nominations occur.
- November: Selections are made.
- December: Selected candidates are notified and invited to meet the current Board. An orientation with the Executive Director is also conducted in December.
- January: All members attend a Board Retreat.
- March: The first regular Board meeting of the year.
Board members are also asked to select a committee to serve on, choosing from the Executive, External, or Internal committees. These committees meet as needed and typically convene in the months when no scheduled Board meetings occur. This process ensures that new Board members are well-prepared, actively engaged, and ready to contribute to our mission to serve older adults in Wilson County.
