The 2025 class of the TBA Public Service Academy met last week at the Nashville office of Adams & Reese. Participants heard from a range of speakers on topics such as building a campaign team, fundraising, identifying a message, and what it‘s like to run, win and serve. The program was moderated by Berkley Schwarz, principal with Pier Strategies and a TBA lobbyist. Speakers included Franklin lawyer Sean Aiello, who serves on the Williamson County Commission; Brenda Gadd, who serves on the Metro Nashville Council; John Rowley, founder of Counterpoint Messaging; Ward Baker, founder and president of Baker Group Strategies; Kim Kaegi, founder and principal with Kaegi Resources; and Nadira Freeman with Axis Strategies. The academy is a nonpartisan training program that provides attorneys with the tools to run for local public offices, such as school board, city council and county commission.

Nashville Metro Council member Brenda Gadd (at head of the table) speaks to program participants

Left: John Rowley, founder of Counterpoint Messaging, addresses the group
Right: Nadira Freeman with Axis Strategies speaks to the class

Ward Baker, founder and president of Baker Group Strategies, speaks to the group

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Left: Berkley Schwarz, principal with Pier Strategies and TBA lobbyist, (left) and Kim Kaegi, founder of Kaegi Resources
Right: Class members Rebekka Freeman Terrell (left) and Eugenia Grayer McGhee

Members of the 2025 TBA Public Service Academy (in alphabetical order): Dan Buchanan, Memphis; Mark Dobies, Franklin; Eugenia Grayer McGhee and Brady John of Nashville; Joseph Maus, Maryville; Rebekka Freeman Terrell, Germantown; and Patrick Wagner, Chattanooga

2025 Public Service Academy planning team from left: TBA lobbyist Berkley Schwarz, staff member Chelsea Bennett and Executive Director Sheree Wright