Diversified in several career paths, including nonprofit management, engineering, and civic involvement, Mary Sue Gregory currently applies her talents as the founder of the Cades Cove Preservation Association Inc., established in 2001 in Maryville, Tennessee, to preserve the heritage and culture of the Cades Cove community in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It’s a role she thrives in and expects to continue for years to come. Previously serving the association as its president and treasurer, Ms. Gregory, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Maryville College, also aided in the formation of the Cades Cove Preservation Association Museum. Situated in Maryville, too, the museum is in the famous Thompson-Brown House. Ms. Gregory recently furthered her mission in preserving the legacy of the Cades Cove community by authoring “Humor of the Coves” in 2021.
Ms. Gregory holds certifications as an electrician, quality analyst, computer-aided designer, and an ISO 9001 quality inspector. Earlier in her career, she lent her expertise to the fields of electrical and computer engineering. At the EloTouch Company, she was an electrical designer and quality analyst for many years and worked in a similar capacity at various companies and corporations throughout Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In these roles, she notably completed computer-aided design projects.
Outside of her vocational efforts, Ms. Gregory is deeply involved in her community, establishing five history preservation community organizations, including the Englewood Area Historical Museum. She has served as a volunteer at the Englewood United Methodist Church, a past vice president of her local Parent-Teacher Association, and a past leader with the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Boy Scouts of America. Ms. Gregory has earned several accolades for her commitment to community service.
Ms. Gregory is a strong proponent of women’s rights, having participated in women’s marches at The White House in Washington, D.C., throughout her career, serving as a testament to her advocacy for and support of equity. Contributing to the National Organization of Women as well, she is a former vice president and president of the organization’s Knoxville chapter in Tennessee. In this regard, Ms. Gregory is exceptionally proud of women’s progress in the sciences, particularly engineering, where women have become more accepted in non-traditional roles in what is typically deemed a male-dominated field.