Tony Melson began volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport in 1997. As a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard, Tony would come in uniform and teach kids engineering through paper airplanes. Kids always looked forward to his visits. Each year, he and a crew from Eastman would put together elaborate haunted houses at the old Boys & Girls Club Lee Street building each Halloween. The haunted houses were often the highlight of the year for many people. 

     Since those early volunteering days, Tony’s service, leadership, and passion for kids has transformed the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport. Tony joined the Board of Directors in 2013. In his time on the Board, Tony has served as Board Treasurer, Chair of Board Development, and Board Chair. Tony’s passion for the mission is infectious Tony is a strategic and methodical leader and he has helped to build critical systems that mean kids get served in better ways. He asks critical questions and listens to input to make organizational improvements. Tony has been a tireless advocate in the Kingsport community. Tony always brings his time, talent, and treasure to the table for kids. He is a loyal donor and continuously works on community relationships and resources that open doors for kids. Whenever the Boys & Girls Club has had a need, Tony has always been the first to raise his hand. 

     Tony’s influence has spread across the State of Tennessee and nationwide. Tony served as Tennessee Area Council Chair, motivating Boys & Girls Club board leaders across the state, and boosting annual attendance. His passion for the Boys & Girls Club Area Council inspired robust attendance and participation in the annual event by Board members across the state. Today, Tony is one of four Boys & Girls Club National Area Council Committee members in the Southeast. He gives key feedback to Boys & Girls Clubs of American, representing multiple Area Councils. Tony has facilitated an effective feedback process around the key changes to membership requirements. Tony’s impact on the lives of kids in the Kingsport area and the State of Tennessee continues to grow and will be felt for years to come. 

     Even beyond his direct service to Boys & Girls Clubs both locally, regionally and nationally, Tony serves as a role model to the Boys & Girls Club Movement. Tony was raised in Jackson, Tennessee where he attended North Side High School. He studied chemical engineering at Tennessee Tech University. After graduation, he began working at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport as a chemical engineer while also serving in Tennessee Air National Guard. Tony retired from the Tennessee Air National Guard after 20 years of distinguished service. He is the Director for Health, Safety, Environment, Security Operations at Americas at Eastman. 

   Tony married his beautiful wife, Angie in 2000 and they have two sons, Austin and Christian. Christian is PGA professional in Knoxville, Tennessee . Austin is a petroleum engineer in Shreveport, Louisiana. Tony loves to golf and enjoys many outdoor activities. Tony is also known as a consummate connoisseur of fine whiskey and cigars. He is also well known for his many good works to provide a better future for the youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Southeast.