Full Biography for Howard C. Gentry, Jr.

Candidate for
Council-At-Large

Howard C. Gentry, Jr. was named Interim Assistant Vice President for University Relations and Development at Tennessee State University on July 14, 1997, after serving as Director of Athletics since September 21, 1994. Gentry served as Interim Director of Athletics, beginning March 21, 1994.

Prior to the appointment of Director of Athletics, Gentry served as Director of Development and Executive Director of the TSU Foundation, from May of 1991. He also served an eight-month stint as Interim Vice President for Administration beginning in September of 1990.

Gentry held the position of Court Officer and Law Clerk with Metropolitan Criminal Court Division I, from November 1987 to September 1990. He held positions as automobile salesman with Cain Buick, from November 1986 to October 1987 and Beaman Automotive Group, from March 1985 to November 1986. He also served as President and Operating Officer of Citizens Insurance Agency, from July 1983 to February 1985.

Gentry began his professional career in the field of banking, spending five years at Citizens Bank holding the positions of Director of Marketing, Business Development and personnel, from June 1980 to July 1983 and Assistant Branch Manager and Loan Officer, from September 1978 to June 1980. He also spent three years at First American Bank, holding the positions Personnel Salary Administrator and Interviewer, fromJune 1977 to August 1978, Systems Analyst, from September 1976 to June 1977, and Management Trainee, from September 1975 to September 1976.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a graduate of Pearl High School, Gentry received his bachelor of science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Tennessee State University in 1974. Upon graduation, he became a member of the TSU football and basketball radio broadcast team, serving as color commentator from 1974 to 1986, and he handled the play-by-play duties from 1987 to 1994. He currently hosts the Howard Gentry Jr. Sports Talk Show on WNSR Sports Radio 56.

Gentry is a member of several professional and civic boards and councils. He serves on the Middle Tennessee Council - Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, Nashville Sports Council Board of Directors, State of Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Police Athletic League Board of Directors, Arthritis Foundation Advisory Board, and the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel Advisory Council.

As a community activist, Gentry is a member of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Masonic Lodge - Prince Hall #1, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the NAACP (Life Subscriber), the TSU Alumni Association (Life Member), the Tiger Pride Athletic Association, United Way Community Allocations and Planning Volunteer Review Team, and Music City Bowl Marketing Committee. An avid sports enthusiast, he is also a member of the Nashville Sportsman's Club.

Gentry is married to the former Sharon Denise Dixon. He also has two daughters, Courtnei Michele and Cristiana Monique.