Conner & Co

03/11/2026

Loved sponsoring the Visit Sevierville Membership Breakfast yesterday.

02/18/2026

We 💚 Dollywood & Direct Flights to the Smokies!

Dollywood and Allegiant are teaming up for a Dolly Parton-themed flight from Orlando to the Smoky Mountains.

Flight #925 — named after "9 to 5" — departs Orlando Sanford International on November 6 with gate celebrations, live entertainment, in-flight trivia, exclusive merch, and themed food and drinks.

Passengers who buy Dollywood tickets also get perks the next day including complimentary exclusive ride time, reserved show seating, and special treats.

It's Allegiant's first-ever Dollywood themed flight and a pretty cool way to kick off a Smoky Mountain vacation this fall. ✈️. 🦋

01/30/2026

Congratulations Valor Property Services💚. So proud to have you in the Conner & Co portfolio.

🎉Join us in welcoming our newest Chamber member, Valor Property Services!🎉

They’re stepping into the community with serious skill, plenty of pride, and a whole lot of valor. From property upgrades to top‑tier service, they’re here to keep things looking sharp and running smoothly.🏡✨

01/26/2026

🤝Meet Alexis Conner Bakos, Partner | Conner & Co.

Alexis is a Partner at Conner & Co., devoted wife to her husband Nik, and proud mother to Scotti and Krew. Born and raised in East Tennessee, Alexis has a deep-rooted love for her hometown and the people who make it special. Alexis had front-row seats to Jimbo and Mandy Conner’s passion for community-focused development: projects that create meaningful local jobs while building destinations that welcome travelers to our region. That example shaped Alexis’s own commitment to purposeful growth, stewardship, and community impact.

Alongside her brother, Austin Conner, Alexis plays an active role in monitoring the operations of Conner & Co. Together, they remain closely engaged in day-to-day performance while consistently paying attention to emerging business trends, market shifts, and future opportunities that can add long-term value to the company, its investors, and the communities Conner & Co. serves. Their shared focus helps ensure the organization continues to grow strategically, responsibly, and with a forward-looking mindset.

Alexis is also the co-owner of Pure Haus Aesthetics, where she blends medical expertise with a compassionate, client-centered approach. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Carson-Newman University in 2015 and pursued her early nursing career in Nashville, spending over five years in the Emergency Room. While she valued the intensity and clinical depth of ER nursing, Alexis always dreamed of returning home to East Tennessee to open and own her own medical spa.

To bring that vision to life, Alexis continued her education at Belmont University, earning her Master’s Degree in Nursing. She and her family are now happily back in Sevierville, where Alexis has built a strong presence in the aesthetics field, completing extensive training and committing to ongoing education to ensure she is providing the highest level of care.

01/26/2026

🏗️ Development Spotlight
Brick & Spoon | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
A Conner & Co. Success Story

At Conner & Co., we believe great developments don’t just change buildings, they elevate destinations. Brick & Spoon Pigeon Forge is a prime example of how intentional redevelopment, strong partnerships, and market awareness can transform a space into one of the Southeast’s most celebrated dining experiences.

Originally operating as a sandwich shop, the Pigeon Forge location presented strong bones but untapped potential. Conner & Co. recognized an opportunity to reimagine the property, aligning it with a proven, high-demand restaurant concept that matched both the local market and the expectations of today’s travelers.

Through strategic planning, design coordination, construction oversight, and operational alignment, the space was fully transitioned into Brick & Spoon, a nationally recognized brand now ranked among the Top 10 Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch Restaurants in the Southeast.

The redevelopment included:

🏗️A complete interior transformation to support high-volume breakfast and brunch service

🏗️A commercial kitchen build-out designed for efficiency, consistency, and quality

🏗️A welcoming dining environment tailored for both locals and visitors

🏗️Thoughtful exterior updates to enhance visibility and curb appeal

Today, Brick & Spoon Pigeon Forge is a vibrant dining destination, known for its elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and exceptional guest experience. The restaurant serves both the local community and the millions of visitors who travel through Pigeon Forge each year, driving sustained traffic, job creation, and long-term economic impact.

This project reflects what Conner & Co. does best: identifying underutilized opportunities, executing with precision, and creating businesses that add value for investors, strengthen our community, and enhance the guest experience in one of the Southeast’s top travel markets.

Brick & Spoon Pigeon Forge isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a success story built on vision, ex*****on, and a deep understanding of what makes destinations thrive.

01/24/2026

🏗️Development Spotlight: The Ridge Outdoor Resort
206 sites and counting & and we’re just getting started.

The Ridge Outdoor Resort is setting a new standard for luxury RV resort development in East Tennessee. Featuring luxury tiny homes, glamping tents, modern bathhouses, and resort-style amenities, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with the guest experience in mind.

With over 40,000 square feet of office and event space, meeting facilities, and a master-planned layout, The Ridge represents what upscale outdoor hospitality should look like.

Proudly designed, developed, and built by Conner & Co. in Sevierville, Tennessee, where vision, ex*****on, and elevated outdoor living come together.💚

01/23/2026

🤝Meet April Gillispie, Public Relations Director | Conner & Co.

April is a proud Sevier County native and a 1999 graduate of Sevier County High School. She earned her degree in Psychology and Human Development and Learning from East Tennessee State University in 2003. Deeply rooted in her hometown, April is a passionate advocate for Sevier County.

April brings heart, strategy, and authenticity to everything she does. In her role as Public Relations Director at Conner & Co., she leads and supports relationships, communications, and community engagement efforts. She works wholeheartedly to champion responsible growth and meaningful partnerships that strengthen the place she calls home.

April is actively involved in local tourism and community leadership, proudly serving with the Sevierville Hospitality Association, Sevier County Hospitality and Tourism Association, and the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association. She is also an ambassador for the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Membership Committee of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, and has been a board member of Taylor Faith Ministries since 2013.

Outside of work, April finds her greatest joy gathered around the table. She loves being in the kitchen, exploring farmers markets, and savoring Mickey waffles, because Disney truly makes her heart happy. She is her children’s biggest cheerleader, proudly watching her 18-year-old son Chase play college football, supporting her 16-year-old son Boston on the golf course, cheering on 15-year-old Addison at football and basketball games and competition cheer, and delighting in the creativity of her spiciest 5-year-old, Birdie, as she explores her love for cooking and dancing.

Above all, April loves Jesus, treasures her family, and believes that when people lead with compassion, intention, and joy, communities and lives are changed for the better.

01/22/2026

🤝Meet Joy Maples

Director of Growth & Development | Conner & Co.

Joy Maples serves as Director of Growth & Development at Conner & Co., bringing more than 16 years of leadership and hands-on experience across the Conner family of companies. A proud Sevier County native, her deep love for the community she calls home is at the heart of everything she does. Her understanding of hospitality, development, and brand performance makes her a key part of the company’s continued growth. She is a lover of analytics, data , and human behavior.

Joy began her career with the Conner Companies as General Manager of Resort Properties Vacations, a role she held for over a decade, helping grow one of the area's leading hospitality and vacation condo rental operations. She is now a partner in select Conner & Co. brands and is passionate about weaving the company’s brands together to deliver cohesive, high-quality experiences across Sevier County. She loves creating amazing experiences, that we proudly stand behind.

In her current role, Joy is known for her ability to blend marketing, operations, and revenue optimization to drive strong ROI and elevated guest experiences. By staying closely connected to marketing, travel, and revenue trends, she ensures Conner & Co. brands remain competitive, transparent, and aligned with guest and investor goals. She is deeply committed to hiring local talent, building strong teams, and creating opportunities that support personal growth, career development, and meaningful milestones for team members.

At home, Joy is the proud mom of Ava and Aubrey, her twin daughters & greatest love story. From lacrosse fields to academic milestones, she loves doing life with them and is proudly their biggest fan.

01/21/2026

🤝 Meet Austin Conner, Vice President, Conner & Co.

Austin Conner is a proud Sevier County native with a passion for thoughtful development and community growth. Inspired from a young age by watching his father help shape the region, Austin has built his career around making a meaningful impact in his hometown and beyond.

A 2015 Valedictorian of Sevier County High School, Austin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Carson-Newman University, where he also played baseball. After graduation, he helped build The Ridge Outdoor Resort from the ground up, gaining hands-on experience in site development, equipment operation, and project management.

Today, as Vice President of Conner & Co., Austin oversees financial management while focusing on launching new ventures, optimizing operations, and driving strategic growth. His portfolio includes projects such as The Wag Social, Rule One Trucking, Ernie’s Package Store, overnight rental cabins, and other commercial and residential developments serving Sevier County.

Austin is a licensed Tennessee General Contractor, a private and instrument-rated pilot, and actively drafts architectural plans. Above all, he is a devoted husband to his wife, Alex, and proud father to Jay and Drew. His work is guided by a commitment to quality, innovation, and building a stronger future for the community.

01/21/2026

New addition at The Ridge Outdoor Resort, Luxury RV Sites, by Conner & Co

01/20/2026

Proud of the brands we build and the partnerships we stand behind. 💚

At Conner & Co, our work spans development, construction, hospitality, lifestyle, and local business. Each brand is rooted in quality, integrity, and a love for East Tennessee. From resorts and vacation rentals to retail, wellness, agriculture, and community-driven experiences, every partnership represents trust, vision, and long-term commitment.

We believe in doing what we say, saying what we do, and building businesses that strengthen our communities while creating lasting value. Grateful for the incredible partners, teams, and clients who make this journey possible.