Joseph R. “Pitt” Hyde III is a nationally recognized entrepreneur and philanthropist who has worked tirelessly to help transform his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. His career began at Malone & Hyde, a wholesale food company founded by his grandfather, where he was elected president in 1968 and chairman in 1972, becoming the youngest CEO represented on the New York Stock Exchange for a decade. His leadership made Malone & Hyde one of the largest wholesale food distributors in the world, and he expanded its specialty retailing division into drug stores, auto parts stores, and more. In 1979 he established AutoZone, Inc. as a part of the company and grew it into one of the largest auto parts and accessories retailers in the US. He also served as the director of FedEx for 34 years.
As owner and president of Pittco Holdings, Mr. Hyde’s innovation and leadership has established a portfolio including real estate and biotechnology. He founded the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, which is focused on developing a niche for Memphis in the biotechnology industry. Mr. Hyde also co-founded Memphis Tomorrow, engaging 24 Memphis-area CEO’s in projects addressing key challenges in the areas of economic growth, public safety, workforce development and others.
Mr. Hyde has channeled his personal success and vision into an equally significant and impactful slate of philanthropic leadership. Through the J.R. Hyde Senior Family Foundation and J.R. Hyde III Family Foundations, he has had a critical impact on the areas of education and community development, supporting work that has driven education reform across Tennessee and in Memphis, developing a greenway and 4,500 acre urban park in Memphis as well as development downtown and revitalizing urban neighborhoods. Mr. Hyde has served on the Board of Directors of the National Civil Rights Museum, sitting as Chairman of the Executive Committee, and the Hyde Foundation sponsors the museum’s Annual Freedom Awards, honoring national and international human rights leaders. Mr. Hyde’s efforts have had a broad impact on the cultural and civic life of the City of Memphis, including championing the location of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies franchise in Memphis, as well as supporting arts organizations like the Brooks Museum of Art and Memphis College of Art and education impact organizations like Teach for America and the Tennessee Charter School Incubator, among others.
TCSC is proud to have Mr. Hyde as a Board Member Emeritus in recognition of his history of support for the organization, public charter schools across Tennessee, and education reform in our state.
With more than 20 years in public finance banking and advisory, community development finance, strategy consulting and senior management in not for profits, Coleman has built a career across private, public and not for profit sectors...
Dr. Gibbs currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of LEAD Public Schools, a network of public charter schools in Nashville, Tennessee, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. In this role, he leads a team committed to educational excellence, equity, and innovation ensuring every child, regardless of zip code, has access to an exceptional learning experience. A lifelong educator, Dr. Gibbs began his career teaching third grade at Paragon Mills Elementary before serving as an assistant principal and later principal in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
As principal of Warner Arts Magnet Elementary, he led one of the city’s most successful school turnaround efforts, work that earned him recognition as Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Elementary Principal of the Year in 2020. His leadership and impact were featured in The Promise, a Peabody Award-winning podcast produced by Nashville Public Radio, highlighting his transformative approach to community- centered education. Dr. Gibbs holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University.
