Nashville Alliance: Meet Our Staff

Pamela B. Garrett, Executive Director

Pam Garrett is a lifelong resident of Nashville Davidson County who has spent much of the past 35 years in private business and civic leadership. She has owned businesses in various retail and service industries while also serving on boards representing arts, preservation, education and civic initiatives.

Pam currently serves as the Executive Director of the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, a nonprofit organization that raises and directs private funding for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Prior to this position, Pam served seven years on the Metro Board of Public Education, as chair for three years.

Pam is a graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools, and earned degrees in education both at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Smith College in Northampton MA.

Always an advocate for children, Pam believes that all children deserve an excellent education, and that educating children in our public schools is the most important thing we do as a community.

Capell Teas Simmons, Director Development Operations

Capell Simmons is a graduate of the Harpeth Hall School and the University of Alabama. With a major in advertising and a minor in marketing, Simmons has 25 years of combined marketing and communications experience. Simmons began her advertising career with Bill Hudson & Associates and later as an advertising executive with the Buntin Group. After Buntin, Simmons worked for Saint Thomas Health Services where she managed many of the marketing communications initiatives. The advertising campaigns implemented garnered both local and national recognition, while having a positive impact on hospital preference, particularly in cardiac care.

Prior to the Alliance, Simmons worked for Gaylord Entertainment where she was responsible for the customer and employee satisfaction research programs and managed a variety of proprietary research studies.

Simmons has volunteered to support to community and non-profit organizations including the Harpeth Hall School, Junior League of Nashville, Cheekwood and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Kimberly Bean, Office and Accounts Administrator

Kimberly Marlin Bean is a graduate of Mt. Juliet High School and Lipscomb University, with a major in office administration and minor in management. Beginning her career in advertising and public relations, she served as a public relations account coordinator at Brumfield-Gallagher, Inc. As a partner in Brymar Keepsakes & Treasures for 11 years, Kimberly was involved in various levels of management from advertising to marketing in this family-owned gift shop.

Currently, Kimberly serves as leader of Girl Scout Troop #377, is a member of CABLE, Nashville Women's Political Caucus, Associated Women for Lipscomb University, Parent Liaison for David Lipscomb High School, Williamson/Davidson County Republican Women, and a member of Crieve Hall church of Christ. Some of her past affiliations include: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, Inner City Youth Ministries, Lipscomb Parent Advisory Council, and PTO officer of David Lipscomb Middle School.

Diane Long, Grant Director

Diane Long has more than 30 years experience in the complementary fields of communication and education. As a veteran journalist, she has earned national recognition for her coverage of education, including a series on No Child Left Behind. In 2006-07, she also worked with the communication department of Metro Nashville Schools to further her goal of helping the community understand the challenges and accomplishments of public education.

Diane earned her teaching degree in English and education at George Peabody College for Teachers, and she also holds a masters degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University. Her four adult children all attended Metro schools.