IMPACT Leadership Past Chairman
Dr. Bharat Soni
The Vice President for Research and Economic Development provides leadership of research efforts in strategic alignment with regional economic development efforts. He directs the Office of Research and oversees the Millard Oakley STEM Center, Tech-REDI Regional Economic Development Institute, and the Center for the Management, Utilization and Protection of Water Resources.
Dr. Soni has a long history of contributions in cross-disciplinary research and education with strategic focus on research to build technologies to address 21st Century engineering grand challenges. Dr. Soni led the establishment of the immersive visualization and Virtual Reality environment at UAB with applications to medical, health-care and general education and training, rehabilitation, engineering design, analysis, evaluation and marketing, and homeland security.
Dr. Michael Torrence
Dr. Torrence was nominated and seated as the 7th President of Motlow State Community College on May 1, 2018. He is a successful leader, life-long learner, innovator, collaborator, academician, and administrator. Dr. Torrence is passionate about the role of the community college and its mission.
His higher education career spans more than 23 years and represents a demonstrated love of the teaching and learning process, working both as faculty and as an administrator in Student Affairs as well as Academic Affairs.
Dr. Torrence earned a Ph.D. from Tennessee Technological University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from South Dakota State University. He serves on local, state, and international boards. Additionally, he served four years in the US Air Force.
J. Mark Hutchins
J. Mark Hutchins has spent more than 30 years as an executive and leader of complex organizations. Through his management and government relations efforts, he has championed projects that have raised millions of dollars from private and government sources supporting business development, academic efforts, athletic programs and facilities, religious and civic groups, and other causes. Hutchins is President and CEO of Hutchins Strategies, an executive management and business consulting firm, and serves as AVP for Foundation and Corporate Relations for Motlow State Community College and as Chief Regulatory Officer of ĒKAMOR, one of the first true waste to product companies.
He has served Louisiana Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Mississippi State University, and as associate vice president, vice president and interim president at Wood College (MS), Motlow State Community College (TN), Murray State University (KY) and Tennessee Tech University.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in human relations and supervision (Organizational Psychology) from Louisiana Tech University and is certified in Myers-Briggs and Clifton Strengths by Gallup and is licensed and certified as a John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker. He currently serves as Chairman of Impact Leadership and serves on the board of the Tennessee Association of Community Leaders.