Tyra Haag

Tyra Haag serves as media relations coordinator, following several years working in the non-profit sector.

Previously, Tyra worked for nearly four years as media relations and project director for the Metropolitan Drug Commission (MDC) in Knoxville, Tenn., where she managed award-winning media relations efforts, local and state grants, youth engagement initiatives and community outreach and educational training programs aimed at drug abuse prevention. In this position, Tyra served as the key liaison to numerous boards and organizations in the Knoxville community, including City Council and County Commission. In 2006, Tyra helped coordinate the MDC’s 20th Anniversary celebration which included a keynote address by the former White House Drug Czar, John P. Walters.

Prior to joining the MDC, Tyra served in internship positions with another Knoxville public relations agency, as well as WBIR-Channel 10 News, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville.

Tyra is involved in a range of community service endeavors in the Knoxville community. She is an active member of the Junior League of Knoxville, most recently serving co-chair of the public relations committee and editor of the League’s annual magazine and monthly newsletters. Haag was also selected to be a member of the League’s inaugural 2010-2011 Leadership Class. In recognition of her service, the League honored Haag as Volunteer of the Month in September 2008 and August 2006.  Tyra is a current member of the Volunteer Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Tyra’s previous volunteer service includes serving as silent auction catalog chair for the Friends of the Smokies 2010 Evergreen Ball, mentoring a little sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, assisting with the Hug-a-Tot program at Shannondale Assisted Living and reading to children in Knoxville’s Lonsdale community. From 2007 to 2009, Haag served as chapter president of the Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. In 2008, the chapter honored Tyra as Most Outstanding Alumna.  In 2005, Haag graduated from the Knoxville Police Department’s 40th class of the Citizen’s Police Academy.

Tyra earned dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville – one in communications and the other in Spanish – graduating magna cum laude. While attending the University of Tennessee, Tyra was vice president of administration for Alpha Omicron Pi and a member of numerous academic and service honor societies. In recognition of her service, the University honored Tyra as Greek Woman of the Year in 2004.

Tyra enjoys participating in community theatre, cheering on the Vols, baking, scrapbooking, reading and vacationing on Seabrook Island.  She lives in Knoxville with her husband, Eric, and their two young sons, Noah and Brenton.