Library Staff

Kelsey Jones

Library Director

Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys fantasy novels like A Court of Thorns and Roses and sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation, hiking and cardio.

Logan Tippitt

Assistant Director

Logan enjoys sci-fi and fantasy novels such as Thrawn and Frankenstein, as well as video or board games like The Last of Us or Axis and Allies.

Kaila Clark

Smoky Mountain History and Media Specialist

Kaila can usually be found reading a classic like To Kill a Mockingbird, or enjoying a TV drama such as Downton Abbey or Stranger Things. She's fond of art and history as well as film studies and photography.

Hayden Miller

Library Assistant and Cataloger

Hayden typically enjoys fantasy novels like The Wheel of Time series, comedies like Rick & Morty or Psych, or board/video games.

William "Bill" Mellor

Chairperson

Bill currently occupies the position of Chairperson. Outside of his time volunteering for APPL, he participates in the book club and enjoys playing pickleball.

Buie Hancock

Vice-Chairperson

Buie currently occupies the Vice-Chair position for the APPL Board of Trustees. She's the owner, operator, and artist of Buie's pottery and has been since she opened her doors in 1986. She previously served as President of the GSM Arts and Crafts community.

Ken Simonis

Treasurer

Graduate of Christian Brothers University with a BS in accounting. Ken is married with three sons and eight grandchildren. Ken Enjoys traveling, family time with his grandchildren, and UT Vols! Go Big O!

Lauren Mellor

Secretary

Born in Kentucky, Lauren attended High School in the Chicagoland area, Minnesota State Technical School, and later attended Troy State University. A US Navy veteran, she is an involved member of the American Legion and serves on the National Buddy Walk committee.

Karen Bentz

Karen is an alumnus of UTK and LSU, holds a position on the board for the GSM advisory board, and is a member of the Pi Beta Phi Women's Fraternity.

Sharon Mellor

Sharon K. Mellor, PhD, CAE. She is part of the innkeeping team at the Buckhorn Inn. She serves on the board of Objective: Veterans Smile, a non-profit organization to ensure dental care for veterans.

Laurel Rematore

Laurel is the CEO of the Great Smoky Mountain Association. Outside of volunteering for APPL, she enjoys walking in the woods, yoga, and dark chocolate.

Debi Veranth

Debi retired from the Hillsborough County Public Schools where she served as principal, Director of Administration and Director of Human Resources.

Edna Warrick-Lopez

Edna is married and mother to three children. She offers her services at the Gatlinburg First United Methodist Church as their Associate Pastor working directly with the Hispanic community.