Justin “Jet” Potter (1898-1961) is the namesake of the Jet Potter Scout Center in Nashville which opened in 1976. Potter’s involvement in Middle Tennessee Scouting extended far beyond this building. Potter was highly involved in the Council in its early years and was responsible for securing the Narrows of the Harpeth location when Camp Boxwell moved in 1930. The Justin and Valere Potter Foundation allowed the Council to use the property for years free of charge before selling the land in 1944. Potter was a very successful industrialist, insurance executive, and financier. He started the Nashville Coal Company in 1920. Potter attended Hume-Fogg High School, Vanderbilt University and served in the First World War as a second lieutenant in the Air Corps. The Potter Foundation remains a major supporter of the Council programs and properties. The Albert Menefee Shotgun Range at Boxwell Reservation was funded by the Foundation.

“Coach” William Anderson (1882-1963) was perhaps the most important person in history of the Council you’ve never heard of. Anderson was part of the founding of the Council in 1920, serving on the camping committee under L. G. Boxwell. In June of 1920, he accepted the offer to become the Executve Board’s offer to become the first Scout Executive of the Nashville Council.  He remained in the post until his retirement in September 1947. 

While the summer camp bears the name of L. G. Boxwell, it was Anderson who was out there every summer from 1921 to 1947 implementing a program of citizenship for Nashville Scouts. Under his leadership, the Council grew from about sixty boys to over 8,000. The geographic area moved beyond “the Nashville area” to include the 36 counties that would be reorganized as the Middle Tennessee Council. And all this while he was part-time. His primary job was as Vanderbilt’s track coach, a job he maintained from 1907 to 1948. Anderson passed away in 1963.