Our TENNESSEE roots run DEEP.
WindRiver is a legacy endeavor for its developers, the Ayres family. Great grandfather was the 12th President of the University of Tennessee. Today, Joe and Joseph Ayres continue a passion for perfection in every aspect of community development. There are few communities with stewards as capable, committed and resourceful.
“Every detail at WindRiver has been meticulously considered, including a range of amenities that are conceived with both responsibility and sustainability in mind. In essence, our goal extends beyond establishing the premier private club on Tellico Lake – we aspire to set the standard for excellence throughout Tennessee.”
Joseph Ayres
JOE AYRES
President
Joe Ayres is the developer behind WindRiver and the vision that shaped it. A real estate developer, investor, and financial executive, he has spent his career creating master-planned places across East Tennessee designed to last for generations.
At WindRiver, Joe serves as principal developer of the 765-acre lakefront and golf community on Tellico Lake, from the custom homes and the course to the marina and the gathering places that bring Members together. His hospitality work extends beyond the gates as co-director of the Ayres Lodging Collective, a portfolio of vacation destinations that includes Treehouse Grove in Gatlinburg and boutique properties in the Caribbean.
His perspective is grounded in finance. As CEO of Cumberland Securities, Joe brings deep experience in investment banking, capital sourcing, and financial advisory work, the discipline that allows a project of WindRiver’s scale to be built thoughtfully and well.
What drives Joe is a personal commitment to the Knoxville region. He builds for the long view: places that support local tourism and the regional economy while protecting the natural beauty that draws people to East Tennessee in the first place.
He doesn’t do it alone. Joe works directly with architects, local builders, and his family, including his wife, Carole, and son, Joseph Jr., to hold every project to the same standard from first sketch to final detail. For Members, that standard shows up where they spend their days: on the course, on the water, and in a community built with care.
JOSEPH AYRES
Executive Vice President
Joseph Ayres has been part of WindRiver since 2012, when his family bought the property and the community counted 14 homes. Today it is home to nearly 200, and the organization that plats the lots, builds and sells homes, and runs the club is the same one.
Joseph runs it. As Executive Vice President, he oversees the operation the family built to do the work under one roof: development, construction, sales, property management, and the club itself. A buyer at WindRiver deals with the same people who will be running the dining room a decade from now. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in finance, still underwrites his own deals, and holds Tennessee licenses as a general contractor, real estate broker, and municipal advisor.
Outside WindRiver, Joseph owns and operates boutique lodging across East Tennessee, including Treehouse Grove and The Timber at Holly Branch in Gatlinburg, and is Vice President of Cumberland Securities, which advises Tennessee municipalities on their financings.
Joseph is a fifth-generation East Tennessean. The family’s roots run back to Brown Ayres, the twelfth president of the University of Tennessee and the namesake of Ayres Hall. A four-year football letterman at Tennessee himself, he lives at WindRiver with his wife, Jenna, and their daughters. What he loves most is the “wow” factor, the feeling his family still gets driving through the gates more than a decade on, and watching new Members and homeowners feel it for the first time.
JOE CRANSTON
General Manager & Chief Operating Officer
Joe Cranston serves as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of The Club at WindRiver, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership in private clubs, golf communities, and destination properties across the country.
His career includes leadership roles at Belfair in South Carolina, Adam’s Rib Ranch in Colorado, and Snake River Sporting Club in Wyoming. Along the way, Joe has built a reputation for strengthening operations, leading high-performing teams, and guiding clubs through periods of significant growth, capital improvement, and change.
Joe’s expertise spans club operations, hospitality, finance, real estate development, capital projects, and Member engagement. He pairs that operational discipline with a people-first leadership style, one that values relationships with Members, associates, and residents as much as results.
That combination matters now. As WindRiver invests in its future, including the new Clubhouse and enhanced amenities, Joe’s role is to guide the Club through its next chapter while preserving the culture that makes WindRiver feel like WindRiver.
Joe and his family are proud to call East Tennessee home. His leadership is guided by integrity, collaboration, and a simple goal: a private club experience every Member is proud to be part of.
TAYLOR IRVING
Vice President of Operations
Taylor Irving joined WindRiver in 2021, bringing a strong background in hospitality, leadership and operations management. Before WindRiver, she held leadership positions with Marriott and Hilton, where she developed a passion for guest experience, building high-performing teams, and creating a positive workplace culture.
As Vice President of Operations, Taylor plays a key role in the day-to-day operations and overall Member experience at WindRiver, overseeing many of the areas that shape daily life in the community, including the Design Review Board (DRB), the WindRiver Community Association (WRCA), Member Services, the Marina, and Landscaping. It is a broad portfolio, and much of it works best when Members never have to think about it: questions answered quickly, grounds cared for, community standards maintained, and the marina ready when the lake calls.
Taylor’s leadership style is focused on collaboration and support for her team, while continually improving the Member and guest experience. She believes strong relationships, clear communication, and a positive culture are the foundation of any successful organization, and she brings that belief to every department she oversees, with an open door for both her team and the Members they serve.
Originally from Southern California, Taylor now proudly calls East Tennessee home. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband and children, especially out on the water, boating and making memories with family and friends.
KYLE HODGES
PGA | Director of Golf
A native of East Tennessee and former college baseball player, Kyle Hodges has always had a passion for sports, competition, and bringing people together. He entered the golf industry in 2010 and joined WindRiver in 2012, where he has played an important role in developing the golf program and culture Members enjoy today.
As Director of Golf, Kyle oversees all aspects of the golf experience, including tournaments, weekly leagues, clinics, social events, and daily golf operations. His knowledge of the game, competitive background, and approachable personality have made him a trusted resource for Members, whether they are looking to improve their game, compete in a tournament, or simply enjoy a great day on the course.
Kyle takes great pride in creating an experience that is both welcoming and fun for golfers of every skill level. For him, golf is about more than the game itself. It is about friendships, camaraderie, and sense of community that develop along the way.
AMANDA MILLER
F&B and Events Director
Amanda Miller joined WindRiver in 2025 as Director of Food & Beverage and Events, bringing more than 25 years of experience in hospitality, restaurant operations, event management, and team development.
Her hospitality career began with leadership roles at Ruby Tuesday, where she built a strong foundation in restaurant operations and service. Most recently, she served as Director of Food, Beverage, Training, and Events at Aspire, leading both Aspire and The Pearl at Aspire. There, she shaped the organization’s service culture, created its training programs, and oversaw a wide range of events and guest experiences.
Amanda’s leadership starts with people. She believes great hospitality begins with a strong team culture, and she has spent much of her career building engaged teams that take pride in creating memorable experiences for guests and Members alike.
At WindRiver, Amanda oversees all food and beverage operations, Club Dining, Member events, and hospitality programming. Her focus is on experiences that reflect the warmth, polish, and sense of community Members value most, whether that is a weeknight dinner or a signature Club celebration.
A lifelong East Tennessean, Amanda is proud to call this region home. She is married and the proud mother of three. When she isn’t creating memorable evenings at WindRiver, she enjoys time with her family and investing in the community she loves.
MATT GOULET
Executive Chef
With more than 20 years of culinary and hospitality experience, Chef Matt Goulet has built his career on a passion for great food, attentive service, and strong kitchen leadership. He started in the industry at a young age and quickly discovered that creating memorable dining experiences was more than a profession. It was his calling.
Matt earned his first Sous Chef position at 22 and became an Executive Chef by 24. Since then, he has led culinary teams in a wide range of demanding environments, including yacht clubs, country clubs, and high-volume hospitality venues. That experience has given him depth in menu development, team mentorship, kitchen operations, and special events across many dining concepts.
His culinary philosophy centers on quality ingredients and cuisine that is creative yet approachable. Matt takes pride not only in every plate that leaves the pass, but in developing talented teams who share his commitment to hospitality and professionalism. For Members, that means Club Dining built on consistency, care, and a kitchen culture that shows up in every dish.
In pursuit of personal and professional growth, Matt and his wife relocated from Washington State to East Tennessee, where they quickly fell in love with the Knoxville area and its welcoming community. They recently welcomed their daughter, Madison, who has brought new purpose and gratitude to their lives.
JONATHAN BARTLETT
Director of Sales
Jonathan Bartlett joined WindRiver as Director of Sales in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience in luxury real estate. His career has focused on private club communities, master-planned developments, and fine homes across the United States, giving him a clear understanding of what thoughtful buyers expect and the details that matter to them.
Before WindRiver, Jonathan held roles at some of the country’s most recognized club communities and destinations, including Las Campanas, Mayacama, and The Greenbrier. That experience gave him a firsthand view of how a private club community comes together, and why the right fit between a family and a place matters as much as the home itself.
Jonathan is known for building trusted relationships and guiding clients through every stage of their purchase with clarity and care. He believes the best real estate experience feels less like a transaction and more like an introduction to a community, and he brings that approach to every conversation.
As Director of Sales, Jonathan leads the WindRiver sales team with a focus on raising the standard of the buyer experience, strengthening relationships with the broker community, and supporting the community’s continued growth. For Members, that means new neighbors who arrive well informed and ready to become part of the Club.
ZACH WILLIAMS
Sales Executive
Zach Williams brings nearly a decade of experience in high-end real estate sales and master-planned resort communities to his role as Sales Executive at WindRiver Lakefront & Golf Community.
Before joining WindRiver, Zach led sales initiatives at The Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Delaware, where he oversaw builder partnerships, prospect outreach, and lifestyle-driven client programs. That work gave him a well-rounded view of how a club community grows, from the very first conversation with a prospective buyer to the builder partnerships that bring a new home to life.
Originally from Upstate New York near the Adirondacks, Zach grew up around mountains and lakes. That background gives him a natural understanding of what draws people to East Tennessee: scenic beauty, room to breathe, and a slower, more settled pace. He can speak to that pull from experience, not just from a brochure.
Zach’s approach centers on authentic connection. He takes time to understand each client’s vision, then helps them find more than a home: a community and a way of life that feels right from day one. For Members, that care means new neighbors who chose WindRiver for the right reasons and arrive ready to be part of the Club.
ELIZABETH SUMMERS
Sales Executive
Elizabeth Summers brings more than 25 years of real estate experience to WindRiver, along with a strategic yet personal approach to buying and selling a home.
Elizabeth and her husband, Scott, moved to East Tennessee in 2025 from Marco Island, Florida. Having made that move herself, she understands both the excitement and the practical questions that come with choosing a new community, and she brings that perspective to every client she works with.
Over her career, Elizabeth has built a reputation for refreshingly friendly service and a proven ability to guide buyers to the best value for their dream home, while helping sellers through a smooth, stress-free sale. Her experience spans homesites, new construction, and resales, giving her a well-rounded view of every path to life at WindRiver.
Elizabeth’s approach is equal parts strategy and relationship. She listens closely, explains each step clearly, and stays attentive long after the first showing. Clients come away feeling informed and well cared for, which is exactly how she believes the process should feel.
Elizabeth looks forward to helping buyers and sellers, both new and seasoned, with their real estate needs, whether that means finding the right homesite, a first home in the community, or the next one.
LINDSEY WALDROP
Office Manager & Real Estate Coordinator
Lindsey Waldrop joined WindRiver in January 2025 as Office Manager & Real Estate Coordinator. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the sales office and works closely with the sales team to ensure a seamless experience for residents, Members, and prospective homeowners.
With more than a decade of leadership experience in operations, sales, and real estate, Lindsey is the steady hand behind the scenes. She keeps the details organized, the process moving, and the team supported, so every client interaction feels smooth from the first visit to closing day. She especially enjoys building relationships, improving processes, and helping both her team and her clients succeed.
For Members and prospective homeowners alike, Lindsey is often a first point of contact, and she takes that role seriously. A warm welcome, a quick answer, and thoughtful follow-through are the standard she sets for herself every day.
Outside of work, Lindsey is a proud mom to a teenage sports enthusiast. She has spent more than eight years as a head coach for youth baseball, mentoring young athletes and helping them build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Lindsey is glad to be part of the WindRiver team and looks forward to continuing to serve the community with a positive attitude and a commitment to doing things well.
A lakeside, master-planned community on Tellico Lake — championship golf, a full marina and 30 miles of trails, minutes from Knoxville.
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