Our Team
Michael Ramage
Executive Director
Connected Tennessee
Michael Ramage is the Executive Director of Connected Tennessee, a division of Connected Nation, Inc. Mr. Ramage is responsible for leading the successful implementation of the State of Tennessee’s Trail to Innovation, a comprehensive broadband deployment and adoption plan slated to leverage state, federal and private investment aimed at blanketing Tennessee with high-speed Internet access, as well as improving the use of technology and the Internet.
Mr. Ramage previously served as a Project Manager for ConnectKentucky, Connected Nation’s Kentucky initiative. In this role, he was responsible for facilitating comprehensive GIS-based Inventory Assessment of existing broadband infrastructure and service availability, the community-by-community implementation planning process and ensuring that every county in Kentucky’s western region has an online presence and the ability to improve the quality of life at the local level. Through this effort, communities were empowered to use technology applications and build partnerships that provided real-time budget savings and process efficiencies over the Internet, ensuring their ability to compete within the local and global marketplace.
Prior to joining ConnectKentucky, Mr. Ramage served Murray State University as Special Projects Leader, Lecturer and Network Manager within the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology and the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management. While at Murray State, he was the recipient of grants from the National Science Foundation, Cisco Systems Inc., the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Other accomplishments include the development of GIS mapping for Calloway County, which was the precursor to the mapping performed by Connected Nation, and the development of the International Telecommunications Education and Research Association. Additionally, Mr. Ramage led the West Kentucky Telehealth Initiative and conducted research on various telecommunications topics. Prior to joining Murray State University, he worked as a Network Specialist for BellSouth Telecommunications in Nashville following his employment as a Computer Technician at Camco Technologies in Paducah, Kentucky.
Mr. Ramage has an Information Assurance Graduate Education Certificate from Purdue University’s Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security. Additionally, he has a Masters of Science in Telecommunications Systems Management and a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, both from Murray State University. Among the industry certifications that Mr. Ramage has held include Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Cisco Certified Network Associate. Mr. Ramage was also bestowed the honorary title of a Kentucky Colonel for his work with technology in Kentucky. He is married to his beautiful wife, Brittany, and is the proud father of two girls, Shelby and Sydney.
Alyson Ferine
East TN State Operations Manager
Alyson Ferine serves as Connected Tennessee’s State Operations Manager for the East Tennessee region. In this position, Alyson manages Tennessee’s Trail to Innovation, a statewide strategy that promotes technology use and works to increase both the availability and adoption of broadband (also known as high-speed Internet) through mapping and research. Alyson also mobilizes local technology planning groups called eCommunity Leadership Teams. In this role, Alyson is responsible for determining each East Tennessee county’s current use of technology and making plans for the best way to utilize technology in order to improve local government services and provide better healthcare and education, ultimately helping Tennessee communities remain economically strong. Alyson is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Before joining the Connected Tennessee team, Alyson served as an Account Executive and Public Relations Specialist for Davis Newman Payne Marketing Communications, Knoxville’s oldest established advertising agency. In this role, Alyson was responsible for copywriting, drafting press releases, collaborating closely with programmers, developers and clients on creating and updating websites and other interactive projects and conducting project management for both the agency and its clients. Prior to her tenure with Davis Newman Payne, Alyson acted as Director of Marketing and Development for William King Regional Arts Center in Abingdon, Virginia, where she provided direction and leadership in developing and implementing marketing strategies to increase regional participation and corporate donor giving. Alyson holds a B.A. in History from Roanoke College in Roanoke, Virginia.
Deanna Ward
State Operations Manager
Deanna Ward is Connected Tennessee’s State Operations Manager for the West Tennessee region. In this position, Deanna manages Tennessee’s Trail to Innovation, a statewide strategy that enhances the supply of available technology and broadband through mapping and research and mobilizes local technology planning groups called eCommunity Leadership Teams. In this role, Deanna is responsible for determining each West Tennessee County’s current utilization of technology, and making plans for the best way to utilize technology in order to improve local government services and provide better healthcare and education, ultimately helping Tennessee communities remain economically strong.
Deanna previously worked for Mark IV Automotive, where she served for 13 years as Education and Training and Helpdesk Manager for all of Mark IV North American Divisions. In this position, Deanna provided education and training in Information Systems Applications to 21 sites and more than 2,000 employees. Prior to her position with Mark IV, Deanna performed as Juvenile Court Clerk for Henderson County, where she logged and managed over 500 Juvenile and General Sessions Child Support Cases per year. Deanna holds a B.S. in Business Management from Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee.
Mandy Hale
Public Relations Specialist
Connected Tennessee’s Public Relations Specialist, Mandy works to project a positive image of Connected Tennessee to stakeholders and the general public. Mandy maintains consistent communications with Connected Tennessee’s public and private partners and coordinates with media across the state to gain maximum exposure for Connected Tennessee’s activities while enhancing the organization’s image in information technology throughout public and private communities across Tennessee.
Mandy previously worked as Vice President of Communications for Library of Life where she held the role of spokesperson for an international web-based company. Additional responsibilities included the oversight of the daily operations of multiple websites, research, development and creation of articles and web content and video creation, as well as administrative duties for the company’s Director. Prior to her role at Library of Life, Mandy worked as a freelance associate producer for CMT News/CMT Insider. She has a B.S. in Electronic Media Journalism with an emphasis in Radio/TV from Middle Tennessee State University.
Whitney Stockwell
Project Coordinator
Whitney Stockwell is Connected Tennessee’s project coordinator. In this role, Whitney provides administrative project oversight for assigned Connected Tennessee/Connected Nation projects. In addition, she coordinates internal and external events/meetings and assists with other special event planning. Whitney also assists with grant writing needs and performs Internet research as necessary to obtain requested information for projects
Prior to joining Connected Tennessee, Whitney worked for Webb Mason as Client Services Coordinator. In this role, Whitney controlled the development of programs for modification of existing product and new business, she was accountable for RFP responses with targeted and existing key accounts, and she assisted sales teams with projects, proposals and presentations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Studies with an emphasis in Sports Management.
