FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dustin came to Knoxville from West Virginia in 2008 to study architecture at UT. He spent seven years at the East Tennessee Community Design Center, including being the Design Studio Director, before moving to his current job as the Executive Director for the East TN Chapter of AIA. Other roles of his include being the Vice President of his neighborhood - Old North, being a Commissioner on the Knoxville Transit Authority, being the proud father of two local murals, including the interactive one at Fort Kid, and being on the Advisory Committee for Bike Walk Knoxville.

He rarely has free time but when he does you can find him working out at the downtown Y, reading murder mysteries with his black cat, Agatha, enjoying his e-bike, or being a total (but fun) dork by playing D&D with his friends. He started Yes! because as a renter and bike commuter, he understands first-hand how policy affects where he can live and how he can travel across town.

BOARD PRESIDENT

Aaron grew up roaming the streets of Owensboro, Kentucky on his bike (with his range unbeknownst to his parents) and later on his grandparents farm in nearby Hancock County. After high school, he moved to the "cosmopolitan" city of Bowling Green to study architecture at Western Kentucky University and deejayed at the college radio station (for additional fun). It was there, walking and biking for transportation, having a strong campus community, and enjoying both urban and natural beauty that his ideals of the good life began to form. Upon graduation, Aaron moved to Nashville to work for a small, but refined residential architect, drafting a mix a luxury single-family residences, speculative duplexes, and urban townhomes. In 2017, Aaron and his now wife, Anna, moved to East Tennessee, renting a small and affordable duplex in Knoxville's well-connected Happy Holler. Soon after, they purchased a duplex, living in one side and renting the other. They still call North Knoxville home enjoying its urban amenities, convenience, and connection, against the backdrop of Tennessee's natural beauty, diverse ecologies, and recreational opportunities. Aaron practices architecture at Sparkman & Associates Architects, seeking out projects that build community, with a focus on small, incremental development and modest, wealth-building designs. You may find Aaron biking to a coffee shop to read, working in a garden, paddling the French Broad, racing down a mountain bike trail, swimming in a quarry lake, or just reading a historical marker for longer than is socially acceptable.

FOUNDER & BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Drew Harper is a historic preservationist, urban geographer, and incremental developer. He has degrees from Johnson University and the University of Edinburgh, and has a professional background in mental health and public policy. Drew believes that saying “Yes!” to building a more walkable city leads to improved health outcomes, lower carbon footprints, and better public safety. He lives in the 1948 fourplex that he saved from demolition, now home to six humans, six cats, and a dog. 

FOUNDER & BOARD TREASURER

Anna’s Bio is coming soon!

BOARD SECRETARY

Zoe is from Huntsville, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Montevallo, where she earned a B.S. in Political Science and Environmental Studies. She moved to Knoxville and completed a year of service through AmeriCorps, and now works full-time for Bike Walk Knoxville on advocacy efforts. She is passionate about sustainability, equity, and coffee.

In her free time, Zoe sings in the Appalachian Equality Chorus, and can often be found reading, playing cozy games, or baking!

BOARD MEMBER

Ellen Zavisca is an urban transportation planner and a mom (of one human and two dogs) who lives in North Knoxville. She enjoys bicycling and reading (mostly not at the same time) and also explaining induced demand and tax increment financing to strangers on Reddit.

BOARD MEMBER

Jack Vaughan is a Knoxville native and a 2023 UT graduate. He grew up in the suburbs but came to love Knoxville's urban core and North Knoxville's walkability, historic neighborhoods, and convenience to downtown. Since 2020, Jack has worked in local politics as a campaign manager and consultant, managing 4 winning city campaigns and 3 successful county campaigns. He is also involved with the Sierra Club, Bike Walk Knoxville, and the local and state Democratic Party. Jack lives with his partner, Mac, and two cats in Oakwood-Lincoln Park where they enjoy the trails on Sharp's Ridge, walkability to Central and Broadway, and the views of downtown and the Smoky Mountains from their front porch.

BOARD MEMBER

Matthew made Knoxville and East Tennessee his home in 2011. He is a Commercial Real Estate Broker with Avison Young.

He is a PechaKucha Knoxville curator and founder of the Square on the Square, square dances. He is also an activist with the American Institute of Architects. He formerly served as Board Chair of the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, as well as Board Member for the Knoxville Chamber. He currently serves on the City of Knoxville Design Review Board, Two Bikes, and YES! Knoxville.

Matthew has a BA in Asian Studies and a Masters in Divinity (MDiv).

Before landing in Knoxville Matthew lived in Miami, Alabama, Seattle and Chicago, as well as six years in Shanghai, China.

FUTURE BOARD MEMBER

At least, we hope! Sure we don’t have any leads yet on how to get her involved, but she loves East Tennessee, so it’s possible, right? Either way, she would be just as welcome to join our Board as you, and we would love to have you on our Board just as much as her (or, almost as much), so if you’re interested in joining, check out the section below to learn more!