Ask the Experts: Summer Safety

Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks has served with the Knoxville Fire Department for 25 years. Prior to that, he spent a decade in the United States Coast Guard where he began his career in emergency services. In his current role, Mark is responsible for managing all communications, Information Technology, and physical security for the department. He has extensive experience in managing safety and security for special events and is a member of the University of Tennessee athletics unified command staff. Mark is also an adjunct faculty member at Roane State Community College, where he teaches respiratory therapy and continuing education programs. He holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and is married with three children. In his free time, Mark enjoys snowboarding and is an avid baseball fan.

Amy has worked for the City of Suwanee for 17 years. She started as a part-time employee with 27 events and now oversees over 40 events a year. Unless there is a pandemic – then there were 3 events in person and 4 virtual events! Suwanee’s events have won many awards over the years and continue to grow and diversify. Amy is also responsible for creating community engagements by connecting residents with volunteer opportunities. When not at work, Amy and her husband Dan,who have lived in Suwanee 27 years enjoy spending time with their three children. In 2015, Amy earned one of her favorite titles, “survivor” as she battled and beat breast cancer! Amy has spoken at Southeast Festivals and Events Association one-day seminars and annual conferences for several years. She spoke at the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference and has worked with the Georgia Department of Tourism, Georgia Alabama Rural Tourism Conference, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association, and the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development as a speaker. She also speaks each year at the Southeastern Tourism Society’s Marketing College. Amy has spoken at one-day seminars in Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky. Amy has earned her Travel Marketing Professional certification in 2013 from the Southeast Tourism Society. Amy was also in the inaugural class of the Festival and Events Planner certification program with STS. Amy completed her Management Development Program Course with The University of Georgia in 2014. Amy loves to share her event and festival knowledge and experience. Amy also served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Festivals and Events Association and even served as the board chair. Amy is also a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2020 and was named the SFEA Event Director of the year in 2020. When not planning events or volunteering, she can be found reading, playing tennis, walking around Suwanee or eating all the tacos!

Illuminating Design started in 2004 and has established itself as an industry leading in artistic lighting working on many of the large lighting displays around the southeast. They have worked on many of the largest holiday displays in the southeast as well as are a leader in the projection mapping industry. Creating what has not been seen before is where Illuminating Design thrives. The bigger the challenge the bigger the opportunity to create something amazing. At Illuminating Design, we bring your design to light.