Dr. B.J. King
Dr. B.J. King, acting Chief Financial Officer of East Tennessee State University and member of the ETSU Executive Team, has been selected as chairman of the Johnson City Energy Authority board for a two-year term.
“It is a high honor to be selected as chair during this pivotal time as the former Johnson City Power Board transitions to a new business model. The new model will provide greater flexibility in a challenging marketplace while maintaining a high degree of public accountability,” Dr. King said. “Innovations such as distributed solar generation, battery storage, and other energy alternatives will continue to impact the energy market. JCEA is a key driver for economic development in our region, and we need to help deliver the benefits of new technology to our customers.”
As acting ETSU CFO, Dr. King is responsible for administration of university accounting and financial services, budgeting and planning, procurement and contract services.
In addition to responsibility for general campus appropriations, she holds shared responsibility for College of Medicine, Family Medicine and College of Pharmacy finances for a combined budget of $330 million.
Dr. King further coordinates with the Chief Executive Officer and Foundation Board to manage $90 million in assets, while serving as treasurer of the ETSU Research Foundation. Among university projects, she has been extensively engaged in deploying automation and online resources to drive efficiencies in several areas.
Bob Cantler
Prior to joining the university, she has served as an accountant and auditor for Dent K. Burk Associates, American Water Heater Group, and Morrill Electric, Inc.
Dr. King holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance, Master of Accountancy and Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership. She is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Dr. King has served the community through her church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, the JCEA Board of Directors and its Johnson City Power Board predecessor, and the Holston Presbytery Youth and Young Adult Ministries Board. She is a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the ETSU Distinguished President’s Trust, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
In addition to Dr. King’s appointment, Bob Cantler has been named JCEA vice chair. Cantler, a hospitality professional, runs his own consulting firm called Internity Development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from East Tennessee State University and has worked with several major brands in the hospitality industry, including Hyatt, Opryland Gaylord, and Marriott Hotels.
Before starting his own firm, Cantler was employed by the Niswonger Group as the General Manager of the General Morgan Inn in Greeneville.
He is very active in the community, having served on the boards of Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association, Mountain States Foundation, Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Greene County Partnership, and AccelNow Entrepreneurial Incubator.
Cantler is also active in his faith, serving as the Futures Team Chairperson with Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, and has been named a “leader in Christian Service” by Milligan College.
