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NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program is pleased to announce the selection of the Class of 2025.

The Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program is a 12-month program that rapidly transitions service members to state government leaders through broad exposure to state government operations and project-based assignments.

The Veteran Fellowship was created by Governor Bill Lee’s office in 2022 and received approval and funding from the General Assembly in 2023.

The Class of 2025 includes six members, all of whom are transitioning out of the military from Fort Campbell. They are: 

• Master Sgt. Michael Bearden, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Capt. Amanda Fucella, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
• Master Sgt. Curtis Worthy, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
• Sgt. 1st Class Burt Nyhus, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Kramer, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
• 1st Sgt. William Kingdollar, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)

“This program provides a transitioning service member with an exploratory experience to try out multiple state agencies and identify the right position for the Veteran Fellow and the agency,” said Nick Atwood, Tennessee’s Director of Military and Veteran Initiatives. “The Veterans Fellows also serve as ambassadors to showcase the value veterans and military families bring to the workforce and community.”

The Class of 2025 will begin its year-long experience in January 2025.

Through the first two years of the program, 80 percent of Veteran Fellows have secured employment within Tennessee State Government with a 100 percent retention rate.