Rita Sparks

Rita attended the University of Memphis and has been a resident of Memphis since 1970. She is the widow of William R. Sparks and a Licensed Commodity Broker. Ms. Sparks has been instrumental in forming Sparks Company, Inc., agricultural research and consulting firm. In 2006, she formed her own company, Sparks Enterprises, LLC. Her civil experience includes being a member of the Board of Visitors and an ambassador of the University of Memphis, where she serves on the Athletic Advisory Board. She is Chairperson of the Baddour Center Board, board member of the Memphis Development Foundation, and the Campbell Clinic Foundation, past president of the Ronald McDonald House, past board member of Agricultural International, the Crescent Club, The Foundation for the Library, the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Lausanne Collegiate School, a recipient of the 1999 Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser, member of the 1996 Leadership Memphis Class, appointed by a judge to a six-year term on the Tennessee Appellate Court Commission in 1987, and appointed to U.S. Presidential Rank Awards Review Board by President Clinton in 1994.