Volshop Team Leaders
BRIAN WRIGHT
DIRECTOR
Brian Wright joined the VolShop in June of 2022. Wright graduated from the University of Oregon, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Journalism and Film Studies. He was also an All-American track athlete for Oregon's legendary track and field program.
Wright started professionally as an Art Director for a regional advertising agency and then transitioned to the University of Oregon Bookstore's (now the Duck Store) marketing department, where his creative talents improved the bookstore's brand awareness and reputation. After a few years, he shifted gears opening and managing Duck Stores across the state of Oregon, eventually leading him to become the organization's Chief Merchandising Officer. After more than two decades with the Duck Store, Wright was instrumental in developing the Duck Store into one of the most recognized and respected collegiate retail brands in the United States.
He currently serves on the Independent College Bookstore Association's board of directors and is a member of other professional retail groups and committees. Wright is the recipient of the 2021 University of Oregon Entrepreneurial Program's Innovator of the Year Award for his work with college students in the Oregon Incubator Program that he co-founded with the university's Brand Management department.
Wright believes in offering cutting-edge products and services to ensure successful student outcomes and provide everyone with the best retail experience possible.
VIC WHITE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Vic White started his employment with the VolShop in January of 2011.
Prior to joining the University, Vic worked with Sara Lee Bakery Group for 15 years. He was the Plant Financial Manager for the Knoxville operation.
Vic earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Maryville College in 1991 with a major of Business Management.
SHIRLEY STREETER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, VOLBOOKS
Shirley Streeter came to UT Knoxville in Fall 1996 as a temporary employee in the UT Book and Supply Store - now known as the VolShop. Since that time, she has been a supervisor and manager of course materials, before moving into her current role as Assistant Director.
Shirley earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Alabama.
BETH KISTLER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GM STORES
Beth started at the VolShop in 2014 as the manager of the University Commons store. After opening up this branch location, Beth became the manager of the Team Shop and Events, and was later promoted to Branch Store Supervisor.
Beth graduated in 2009 from Austin Peay with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. During her college years, Beth also played tennis, which helped to inspire her passion for college athletics. Beth graduated in 2012 from The University of Tennessee with a Master’s Degree in Sports Management.
Before finding her place at the VolShop, Beth held various management roles in both retail and the fitness / salon / spa industry. Beth loves working with students and helping them to succeed. She is also very proud of everything the VolShop has done to create an even more exciting atmosphere on gamedays.
CRYSTAL ABBOTT
STUDENT UNION VOLSHOP MANAGER
Starting her career at the VolShop in 1994, Crystal began as a full-time supplies worker. She also worked as a framing employee and front-end manager before becoming the Store Manager in 2008.
Crystal is a proud Knoxville native and has deep pride for her hometown and the University. Before the VolShop, Crystal worked in the floral department at Kroger.
As our longest running manager, Crystal has gotten the opportunity to work with hundreds of students. She loves that her employees keep her on her toes and help her to “stay young”. Crystal’s proudest accomplishment is the Grad Fair. Throughout her time at the store, Crystal has been vital in the planning / execution of this event and she loves to keep it successful and fun!
SAM SCHABOT
COMMONS/CUMBERLAND STORE MANAGER
Sam is one of the VolShop’s newest managers! Sam started at the Commons location in 2021 as a cashier and was quickly promoted to student supervisor. He was then hired on as a full-time Assistant Manager in 2022, and officially became the Store Manager in Spring 2023.
While working at the VolShop, Sam attended the University of Tennessee and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2022. Before starting at the store, Sam worked as a key holder at Cracker Barrel.
Sam loves working at the VolShop because of the freedom of expression that he is given and the fantastic people he has met. He is proud of where he started and how his hard work has blossomed into a career.
CLARK STOOKSBURY
VOLBOOKS ASSISTANT MANAGER
Resident musician and YouTube record-collecting sensation, Clark Stooksbury began his VolShop career as a temp employee in 2000. He was quickly hired on as the full-time Secretary of Trade Books in 2001, and promoted to Assistant Manager several years later.
Beginning in 1985, Clark served for 6 years in the marine reserves, serving active duty in the Gulf War in 1991. He also attended the University of Tennessee and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1988.
Before beginning his VolShop tenure, Clark worked as an Assistant Publisher and an Assistant Editor at Liberty Magazine from 1993-2000.
Clark’s favorite part about working at the VolShop is the “cool people”. Clark has been instrumental in bringing back our bargain book section and also helping to increase efficiency in his department.
DAVID ALCORN
VOLTECH MANAGER
David started at the VolShop in 2008 as a student worker and became a full-time employee in 2013. David is the heart and soul of VolTech, and his dedication to the students (and technology) has helped to keep this location successful and innovative.
David graduated in 2000 from UT with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, and later received his Master’s of Fine Arts in 2013. David loves being able to work at his alma mater, and his passion for the University and its students is apparent in his role as a manager.
David has seen several generations of VolTech students come and go, and he is most proud of the camaraderie that he has fostered between them. Several of David’s current and former students are a part of a Discord group that interacts with each other on a daily basis.
RANDY DAVIS
TECHNOLOGY LEAD BUYER
Randy started at the VolShop in 2019, and has served in a variety of roles throughout several of our store locations. Randy came to us from WolfPack Outfitters - the NC State Bookstore, where he worked for 18 years. Randy started his college store industry career as a student worker and continued to work full-time as a Course Materials Information Editor, Online Distribution Manager, and Technology Department Manager.
Randy earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Statistics from North Carolina University. He has always loved working in Higher Education because he has a passion for preparing students and staff for classes, and he loves the energy and excitement he feels from the next generation of leaders.
Randy was proud to be an incremental part of our College Colors Day tee campaign. He says, “The team worked together tirelessly around the media frenzy and the viral burst of orders that came from the story was phenomenal. We all discussed, processed, and executed a plan to solve the unmanageable number of orders received.” He is glad that he was able to be a part of such a great team who helped to bring a national spotlight on fair and ethical treatment of others.
JACEY CRUMBY
TEAM SHOP AND EVENTS MANAGER
Jacey is another one of our employees who started as a student worker and has advanced her career to management! Jacey started as a student worker in 2019 and worked as a student supervisor in the Team Shop and events throughout her time in college.
Jacey graduated from UTK in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Jacey stepped in to help lead during the 2023 baseball season and was hired on as the full-time manager of Team Shop and Events in May of 2023.
Jacey loves getting the opportunity to interact with Vol fans at all of the sporting events and she is excited to continue her career at the VolShop. Jacey’s main goal is to create a fun and engaging work environment for the students.
CARLYN NELSON
BRAND MANAGER
Carlyn began her VolShop career in 2013 as one of three licensed merchandise buyers. Carlyn has since expanded her role to become the Brand Manager and Head Buyer of our gift and apparel stores. Carlyn focuses on buying men’s, footwear, and headwear, and is mainly responsible for keeping the VolShop trendy.
Carlyn graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Merchandising from East Carolina University (Go Pirates!). She also minored in Business Administration, which helped to fulfill her love of data and numbers. After graduating college, Carlyn worked as an Allocation Analyst at Cato.
Carlyn’s favorite thing about the VolShop is the people, and she is most proud of being able to recreate iconic vintage merchandise. Carlyn can often be found browsing the internet looking for retro Vols designs.
BETTY PHILLIPS
COURSE MATERIALS MANAGER
Betty has worked at the VolShop for over 20 years and her experience in course materials has helped propel us to the top of the college store industry. Betty started as a Data Integrity Clerk in 2003 and was eventually promoted to her current role of Course Materials Manager.
Betty graduated in 1982 with an Associate’s Degree from Draughon’s Business College. Before coming to the VolShop, Betty worked at a printing company for several years.
Throughout her 20 years, Betty has seen the textbook market change drastically, and has made sure that our stores have continued to innovate to keep up with the landscape. Betty enjoys working at the VolShop because of the comfortability she has here and because she is constantly able to set goals and accomplish them. Betty is most proud of our Inclusive Access program and being a part of helping to make sure that course materials are affordable and accessible for all students.
TOMMI GRUBBS
MARKETING MANAGER
A self-proclaimed VOL FOR LIFE, Tommi began working as the Marketing Manager at the VolShop in 2011. Tommi was the first ever Marketing Manager and she was the sole marketing employee for 3 years. Now, Tommi leads a team of 4 full-time employees and 2-4 student employees.
Tommi graduated from UTK in 1998 (yes, Peyton Manning was her boyfriend 😉) with a degree in Interior Design. She also received a Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications from Austin Peay in 2013. After graduating, Tommi worked as a Log Home Designer, Marketing Manager, and author at Hearthstone Homes for several years.
Tommi loves working at the VolShop because we have fun! Tommi loves the family environment and the students who help to keep her young. One of Tommi’s career highlights was the role she played in the College Colors Day Tee that we released in 2019. Tommi worked tirelessly to promote this important shirt and made sure that all 100K+ of our customers received their order.
CORY HAMM
ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER
Cory joined the VolShop in 2014 as the Assistant Manager of our Cumberland location. After several months, she was promoted to Manager of the University Commons store. Cory worked at this location for 7 years, until she moved on to become the Assistant Marketing Manager in 2021.
Before beginning her career at the VolShop, Cory was an Assistant Manager at Panera Bread throughout high school and college. She attended Kent State University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Cory took special interest in marketing when she started a book blog and Instagram page. Promoting her favorite reads helped to lead her to better understand social media and digital marketing.
As the face behind our social media accounts, Cory can often be found scrolling through multiple social feeds at a time. She loves working at the VolShop because of the interactions she gets to have with fans and students. Cory is so proud to be working at an organization that values customer input and employee well-being. Cory’s favorite part of her job is getting to help make customer dreams into merchandise reality.
DEBY LIBBY
BUSINESS MANAGER
Deby is the VolShop’s longest running employee! Starting here in 1994, Deby’s role as Business Manager has grown exponentially. Deby’s dedication to constantly learning and developing has led her to become a vital part of our team. Working as the leader with a team of 5 full-time employees, Deby is always helping to keep everyone up to date on processes, while striving for continuous improvement.
Before moving from Detroit to Knoxville in 1993, Deby attended community college and worked at Wang Laboratories for 15 years. Throughout Deby’s VolShop career, she has earned numerous certifications and even used to teach CPR to all of our staff!
Deby has seen a lot of change and growth happen at the VolShop and she loves her job because she likes the “excitement of never knowing what might happen”. Deby is most proud of watching her employees grow in their careers and helping them to develop life-long skills.
ANGIE ABBOTT
DISTRIBUTION CENTER MANAGER
Angie is another seasoned VolShop employee! Angie joined the VolShop in 1999 as a Senior Material Control Clerk. After working for several years at our warehouse, Angie was promoted to Distribution Center Manager in 2018.
Angie is the Queen in a world mostly dominated by Kings, and we could not be more grateful for her commitment to the VolShop. Angie played a major role in helping to improve processes at our warehouse and was instrumental when we made a shift to relocate our online order fulfillment center.
RHETT PRIODE
DISTRIBUTION CENTER ASSISTANT MANAGER
Rhett began his VolShop career as a temporary employee in 2018, and was promoted to his current position in 2020. Rhett has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration that he received from UT in 1981. While studying business, Rhett’s main area of concentration was Supply Chain Management or, Logistics and Transportation, as it was called during his time in school.
Before coming to the VolShop, Rhett worked in Heating and A/C sales for 28 years. He also worked as a youth and college minister from 2009-2017.
As an alum, Rhett is proud to still be a part of the University of Tennessee community. Rhett is a huge music lover and was a member of the Pride of the Southland Band when he was in college. He is honored to now be a part of the UT Alumni Band, where he takes pride in performing at a home football game every season.