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ar t n ers
www.knoxvillechamber.com
A PUBLICATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE KNOXVILLE AREA CHAMBER PARTNERSHIP
November 2004
What’s Inside:
1
UT MBA Program
2
“Thanks for Being Here”
3
Last 2004 Food For Thought
Partnership Events:
November
8
Small Business Start-Up Seminar,
9 a.m.-noon, TSBDC
17 Food for Thought, “Business Killers:
Avoid the Six Mistakes That Can Destroy
Your Business and Your Future,”
7:30 a.m., Tusculum College’s
Knoxville Regional Center,
1305 Centerpoint Blvd., $20
18 Latte (not your average coffee!),
8-9 a.m., Club LeConte, 800 S. Gay St.,
Suite 2700
22 Writing Your Business Plan, TSBDC,
9 a.m.-noon, $20
December
1
Small Business Coalition meeting,
8-9 a.m., Partnership offices
6
Small Business Start-Up Seminar,
9 a.m.-noon, TSBDC
13 Business Plan Workshop, TSBDC,
9 a.m.-noon, $20
Register for these and other events at
www.knoxvillechamber.com
The Partnership is Rolling Out the Red Carpet
The Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership has launched a
first-rate business awards program that will culminate with
an elegant community celebration of business on March
11th.
Called the 2005 Pinnacle Business Awards,
the honors celebration will recognize the most
inspiring, fastest growing, wildly
innovative and highly-committed
businesses and individuals in the
greater Knoxville business
community.
Call for entries for the awards began
November 10th, with the deadline for entry
being end of business on Friday, January 21st.
You can nominate others or apply yourself online at
www.knoxvillechamber.com.
"We should all be proud that the Knoxville community
has been recognized and awarded this past year with so
many inspiring honors and rankings," explains Bruce
Hartmann, chair of the Partnership's Board of Directors. "We
hope that area businesses will take the time to share their
successes and their
inspirations with us so we
Pinnacle Business Awards:
can recognize and
• Chairman’s Leadership
celebrate the incredible
• Visionary (Young Professional)
momentum in our
• Small Business Excellence
• Minority Business Excellence
community."
• Innovator (Entrepreneur)
More than 35 judges
• Impact (Community Service)
have committed to review
the nominations. Judges
are top leaders in their respective categories of
entrepreneurship, small and minority-owned businesses,
corporate community programs and young professionals. The
Knoxville News Sentinel, WNOX/NewsTalk99 and WBIR-TV
are media sponsors of the event and program.
There are six award categories, establishing the
community-wide honor. Chairman’s Leadership – a top
longtime leader whose community involvement and leadership
inspires others to achieve and give back to the community.
Visionary – awarded to a professional 35 years old or
younger with great achievements and on track to become
tomorrow’s top business leader. Small Business Excellence –
awarded to a provider of top quality products and/or
services with a demonstrated ability to build a niche,
adapt to change and profit. Minority Business
Excellence – awarded to a quality, growing
business that serves as a leader and resource to
other minority-owned businesses. Innovator –
awarded to an entrepreneur or entrepreneurial
team that has taken great risk to develop a
product or service and has created value for it
in the marketplace. Impact – awarded to
companies whose outreach efforts fill a special
need and make a far-reaching, long term
impact on the lives of others.
All top nominees will
be notified by February
Why Should You Apply?
11th, 2005. Final winners
• Increase the exposure of your
will be announced at the “A
business for its achievements
Red Carpet Affair” Awards
and its achievers
Gala, which begins at
6:30 p.m., March 11th
• Be recognized as a top
at the Knoxville Convention
business or business person in
Center.
East Tennessee
Any individual or
• Receive exposure for your
business can apply for the
achievements in the Knoxville
awards. People can also
News Sentinel and WBIR
nominate individuals and
businesses online at
• Be honored at the
www.knoxvillechamber.com. Partnership’s “A Red Carpet
For those nominated, the
Affair” Gala
Partnership will send an
• Receive a first-class
application to the main
commemorative award and go
business representative
down in Knoxville history as the
nominated to be completed
first to win a community-wide
before the January 21st
business award
deadline. Mark your
calendar today to attend this
first-time, grand gala event.
For more information about the awards, the event and
table and sponsorship packages, please contact the Partnership
at (865) 637-4550.
Watson Chapel Baptist
National Fitness Center
Building without compromise since 1983.
1480 Breda Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918
Tel: 865.688.1335
TVA Credit Union
Fax: 865.688.9291
www.creativestructuresinc.com
US Dentek
Gift Giving That’s “Uniquely Knoxville”
For Knox County businesses looking for
distinctive corporate gifts that represent our
community, the “Uniquely Knoxville” products
offered by the Knoxville Tourism & Sports
Corporation are a great choice.
Merchandise available at the KTSC’s
downtown headquarters includes food, arts,
crafts, clothing, books, plus a variety of trinkets
and souvenirs.
The KTSC has created four themed corporate
baskets featuring “Uniquely Knoxville” products.
Some baskets available are a Taste of Knoxville
gift basket including
unique edible goodies;
the Executive Golf basket
packed full of Knoxvillebranded apparel and
equipment; and the
Uniquely Knoxville Variety
pack and Knoxville
Sampler. Custom-made
baskets are also available.
The gift shop at One
Vision Plaza recently
welcomed new handmade products from local
artists including Richard Burrows, wooden
spoons; Tracy Cramer, jewelry; Ryan Blair, of
Fishcamp Studios, watercolor prints; and
Loraine Burrows, of Startled Rabbit Press,
journals.
The “Uniquely Knoxville” campaign was
designed to promote the Knoxville community
by showcasing the city’s unique cultural,
artistic and entrepreneurial heritage. For more
information, contact the Knoxville Tourism &
Sports Corporation at (865) 523-7263.
Tennessee Economy on the Rebound, UT Forecast Says
Tennessee’s economy is on the rebound and
the job market, over the next two years, should be
similar to the boom of the 1990s, a recently
released University of Tennessee report concludes.
“Most state economic indicators point to
improvement over the next two years, with the
most positive change in the labor market,” said Dr.
Matthew Murray, University of Tennessee
economics professor and associate director of the
Center for Business and Economic Research.
“The state should see a rebound in growth in
the third and fourth quarters of 2004 relative to
the brief slowdown that took place in the second
quarter of the year,” the report says. “The most
significant change expected in 2005 and 2006 is
an improvement in labor market conditions. The
outlook calls for improved labor market conditions
that will approach the economy’s performance of
the late 1990s.”
Murray, author of the “Tennessee Business
and Economic Forecast,” said service sector jobs
will have the most growth and there will be little
expansion in manufacturing and government jobs.
Construction will have the least growth, due in
part to the high levels of past years.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate at the end of
2004 is forecasted at 4.7 percent, compared to
5.5 percent for the nation. It will drop to 4.4
percent in 2005, while the U.S. average will not
change.
Tennesseans’ personal income, adjusted for
inflation, will grow 4.1 percent this year. The
national personal income rate will remain the
same.
State taxable sales should grow 5.7 percent
in 2004, two percent higher than last year.
Manufacturing and food and drink establishments
will lead all taxable sales sectors in 2005, the
outlook says.
For more information, contact Murray at
(865) 974-5441.
Program Launched to Increase Carpooling
The city of Knoxville and Knox County held a
special promotion last month about the “Smart
Trips” program to help employees find alternatives
to driving alone.
Many East Tennesseans cite convenience as
the reason so many of them drive alone to and
from work. Driving alone, however, contributes to
air pollution, traffic congestion and parking hassles.
“This is a way we can set a positive example
and show the whole region that there are
transportation options,” said Knoxville Mayor Bill
Haslam. “This is good for the environment, good
for individuals and good for our economy.”
“We have serious ozone problems,” Knox
County Mayor Mike Ragsdale said. “The Smart
Trips program will help our employees find
carpools, bus routes, priority carpool parking, as
well as biking and walking alternatives so they can
become part of the solution – and save money
doing it.”
From left to right: Mark Hairr, general manager of
KAT, Mayor Ragsdale, Mayor Haslam and Clark
Miller, Smart Trips Employer Outreach coordinator.
The national average for driving alone is 78
percent. A recent survey showed that county and
city employees drive to and from work 90 percent
of the time.
“That means that, on average, they’re
spending about $3,000 per year to drive alone to
work,” said Clark Miller, Smart Trips Employer
Outreach coordinator. “We can help them reduce
that expense dramatically.”
To encourage participation, city and county
employees who register with Smart Trips receive a
special carpool parking spot in the City County
Building and free Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) bus
passes. Participants qualify for other incentives
such as drawings for merchandise, dinners for two
and tickets to cultural events. County employees
can also earn points in the Bright Start Wellness
Program.
“These are ways we can encourage our
employees to try out the program and see for
themselves,” said Ragsdale.
“We think that after they see what a
difference Smart Trips can make in their budget
and in the quality of life here, participation will be
it’s own reward,” said Haslam.
Other organizations now participating in the
program are Knoxville Utilities Board, Tennessee
Valley Authority and University of Tennessee.
To enroll, call the Smart Trips office at (865)
215-2916 or visit http://smartrips.knoxtrans.org.
Through the Looking Glass
ECC has worked on numerous local
federal buildings that need high security.
buildings and residential housing. The Knoxville
“This kind of technology is very popular
News Sentinel asked for ECC’s help after KNS
since the increase in homeland security,” said
built their new building off Western Avenue. The
Williams. “We have been working on these kinds
giant windows were causing the building to heat
of projects all over the state at an increasing level
up
and
the
light
coming
into
over the past three years.”
Windows can be the most beautiful part of
the printer room was causing
A more aesthetic windowany home or office. With all the technology
the equipment to shut down.
filming product ECC provides is
today, you can go from plain to faux stained
ECC put a heat diffusing film
stained glass film.
glass, heat diffusing and light reflecting at
on the windows throughout the
“If you are looking at a high
reasonable costs, without having to replace the
building without using a dark
window with the stained glass film
window.
tint. The printing press has a
covering the window, you would
Energy Control Consultants, Inc. is a 3M
sensor that shuts the
never know the difference,” said
dealer tucked away in Powell, Tenn. that
machinery
down
if
someone
Williams. “We print the black
specializes in building safety and light
The Tennessee Grill’s signature frosted window
comes too close, but the light
lines opaquely so no light shines
murals were produced by ECC.
management.
reflecting through the windows
through, but the rest of the details
In 1983, Brent Williams, vice president of
confused the sensors causing the equipment to
and colors reflect the light just like stained glass
operations of ECC, was attending the University of
shut down. ECC installed a light diffusion film on
would. It is really an amazing technology, without
Tennessee majoring in architecture. He had
the existing windows that scattered the sunlight so
paying the high price of actual stained glass.”
previous experience doing similar work at
the sensors would not reflect the light.
Williams said that being a member of the
SolarTech in Memphis, Tenn. and was asked by
ECC also worked closely with the Knoxville
Partnership has helped spread the word about
3M to take over the Knoxville dealership.
Opera’s production of “The Magic Flute.” Local
what they do.
“Most companies in
glass artist, Richard Jolley, was asked
“Some people have a lot of misconceptions
this business last about
to design the set. Jolley is most well
about the service and products we provide,” said
18 months, we’ve
known for his frosted glass busts and
Williams. “What the public doesn’t realize is that
already been around for
totems, but the Opera couldn’t have
we do more than window tinting and we aren’t
more than 20 years,”
all the glass on stage. So ECC took
involved in the vehicle aspect. We can do
said Williams.
Jolley’s drawings and made them
numerous window films that service a wide variety
One of ECC’s first
using Plexiglas, creating his frosted
of purposes without tinting the window at all. The
projects was designing
glass
look.
Partnership has really helped us get the word out
the sets for the former
ECC assisted the Knoxville News Sentinel with
Other local and regional
to the business community about the valuable
the heat coming through their numerous
cable television country
windows.
projects have been the Riverview
services we provide and broke down those
dance show, “Club
Tower, Knoxville Utilities Board,
barriers.”
Dance at the White Horse
Children’s Hospital, Tennessee Aquarium, Sea Ray
Energy Control Consultants, Inc., changing the
Café.” ECC designed the staging area and faux
headquarters and the glass murals at the
face of Knoxville’s exteriors and getting – Just
glass windows, of which he still has a piece
Tennessee Grill.
Results! from Partnership membership.
hanging in his office today.
Another part of ECC’s focus is building
“It was exciting being a part of television
safety. They install products on government and
history,” said Williams.
UT MBA Program Receives High Honors
The Wall Street Journal has ranked the
University of Tennessee Master of Business
Administration program 12th in the United States
and fourth in the south for recruiters serving
regional companies.
“The ranking confirms the high regard that
corporate recruiters hold for our students, and the
immediate value our students deliver to their
organizations,” said Dr. Sarah Gardial, associate
dean of academic programs at the UT-Knoxville
College of Business Administration.
The Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership
works with the UT MBA program by bridging the
business community with the students and recent
graduates. Last month the Partnership, East
Tennessee Economic Development Agency and
Oak Ridge Economic Partnership hosted students
at a reception at Club LeConte introducing them to
business leaders in the community.
“The students showed real leadership qualities
by coming to us and pitching the idea,” said
Cecilia Whittington, workforce development
director at the Partnership. “It was a great way for
the students to talk to potential employers and it is
good for Knoxville business by keeping those
highly educated graduates in the community.”
To view the national rankings visit
www.careerjournal.com.
Partnership Perspective
Matt Kisber
Just what is the Tennessee
FastTrack? Simply, it’s the
state’s answer to eliminating
the bureaucratic red tape that
often slows down the
relocation or expansion
process for businesses and
offers them timely and quality
customer service to help those
businesses on their road to
success in Tennessee.
By focusing on streamlining processes, the
FastTrack program is the accelerator that’s driving the
state’s new economic vehicle. Programs like this one,
coupled with our efforts to create strong regional
partnerships with other state agencies, local officials,
business leaders and economic development
professionals, has made doing business in Tennessee
more productive and beneficial today than it was
yesterday. And as we continue to build these
partnerships, doing business in Tennessee will be even
better tomorrow.
Through the close coordination of our efforts with
our local economic development partners like the
Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and local elected
officials, the region has directly benefited from our
FastTrack initiatives. Companies like Brunswick Boat
Group, headquartered in Knoxville, recently
announced that it will embark on an ambitious plan to
expand and modernize its Sea Ray operations in
Tellico and Knox County representing a $22 million
investment in the region and 200 new jobs, and
Gerdau Ameristeel, which has a strong presence in
the Knoxville area have gained assistance in
providing jobs to the region. Other companies like
Inslogic Corporation, Cintas Corporation, Aisin
Automotive Castings, John Deere and Bush Brothers
and Company have also benefited from the state
commitments as well. This all equates to more jobs
and a more stable economy for Tennessee.
Not only have East Tennessee companies
benefited from the FastTrack program, but several
communities from this area of the state received
support from the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program which provides funding for water
and wastewater infrastructure projects and housing
and neighborhood revitalization projects. The region
has also benefited from the Appalachian Regional
Commission Program. This program, administered
through the Tennessee Department of Economic and
Community Development, is a federal-state partnership
that works to create opportunities for self-sustaining
economic development and improved quality of life.
The program provides resources to help leverage
community development and economic growth
opportunities across the state to assist in job creation.
These investments help make Tennessee communities
better, more attractive places to do business.
ECD continues to serve as a driving force for
business relocation and expansion in Tennessee. Our
goal is to make our state the best state in which to do
business. We are confident that our FastTrack
programs, regional partnerships and community
development programs will continue to be useful tools
that help drive Tennessee’s economic engine.
Matt Kisber is the Commissioner for the State of
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development
Avoid Mistakes that Destroy Your Business
Learn how to avoid critical mistakes that can
shatter your business at the final Food for Thought
session of the year titled, “Business Killers: Avoid
the six mistakes that can destroy your business
and your future.”
Presented by Michael
Conaty, of First Tennessee
Bank, and James Hutchinson,
of Capital Financial Group, the session will be
from 7:30 to 9 a.m., November 17 at the
Tusculum College’s Knoxville Regional Center.
Are you guilty of under-planning and underprotecting your business and personal assets?
Take this six-step interactive test that will allow you
to take stock of your business and your life.
Measure your risk and learn more
about the steps you may need to take
to ensure a bright and well-planned
financial future.
Conaty and Hutchinson have spent their
careers in the insurance, commercial banking and
private financial services industries.
To register visit www.knoxvillechamber.com
or call (865) 637-4550. The session is $20 and
includes breakfast.
Presented by First Tennessee, Food for
Thought is produced in cooperation with the
Tennessee Small Business Development Center and
the Partnership Small Business Coalition. The
2005 Food for Thought series will kick off on
January 12 with business humorist Todd Hunt.
Board Member Profile
Name: Cynthia J. Finch
Place of birth: Newport, Tenn.
Title: Senior Director of
Community Services
Education: University of Tennessee, bachelor’s
degree in human services and master’s degree in
social work
Organization: Knox County
Mayor’s Office
Resident of: Knox County
Years in Knoxville: 29
Assets you bring to board: Experience in running
and owning a small business, 25 years of health
care experience and working for county
government.
Proudest personal achievement: Being elected as
the South Eastern Regional Director of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, responsible for the states
of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama.
One wish for the community: To move forward
and work together for the future of our families.
Eye on Membership
Entropy: A quantitative measure
of the amount of thermal energy
not available to do work. Or, an
inevitable and steady deterioration
of a system or society.
The term “entropy” is used in a
number of ways, some technical
Mark Field
and some non-technical. In the
technical sense, entropy comes from the second law of
thermodynamics. That law describes the tendency of
energy to spread out over a given time. For example,
if a cup of hot coffee is placed in a cool room, the
energy contained in the coffee (heat) will be absorbed
into the room, cooling the coffee (to room
temperature) and raising the temperature of the room
(very little). So, in a technical sense, entropy is a
measurement of the “spreading out” of heat or
energy. This energy is now gone forever. The coffee
may be reheated in the microwave (adding new
heat), but the old heat that was formerly in the coffee
cup has released from the cup, and it’s not coming
back.
In a non-technical sense, the term entropy can
define the tendency of things to become less
organized over time (and presumably more goofedup). In other words, things that we leave unattended
will not get any better by themselves. Unless we’re
willing to do some work to fight entropy, clutter or
chaos will eventually consume our lives like a group
of costume wearing goblins devouring a bag full of
candy.
What’s required to fight entropy is not simply
work; what’s required is well-planned, smart,
executable work designed to anticipate the inevitable
tendency for chaotic forces to thwart our plans and
undermine our momentum.
Whether you realize it or not, you’re locked in a
struggle: you versus entropy. We live in a great
community, but our community won’t naturally stay
great without some continued effort. It is not okay for
things to simply stay the same. Entropy will rule.
Change is not only good but also in some cases
necessary. A friend of mine says often, “if you
always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always
get what you always got” and “nothing ever changes
without change.” We want better schools. We want
better jobs. We want better opportunity for our
children. The question is what are we willing to
change and sacrifice to attain progress? I hope you
are seeing positive movement at the Partnership in our
approach and methods of reaching the members of
our business community. We are fighting hard
against entropy. I hope you will join us!
Alfred North Whitehead said, “the art of
progress is to preserve order amid change and to
preserve change amid order.” Thanks for being our
Partner.
Mark Field
Vice President of Membership
Knoxville says “Thanks for Being Here”
In an effort to thank area businesses that
have made a significant contribution to the
community and economy by making Knoxville and
Knox County their home, Mayors Mike Ragsdale
and Bill Haslam, in partnership with business
leaders, have launched a multimedia campaign.
The campaign, “Knoxville says: Thanks for
Being Here,” will recognize a company for its
contribution to the community and economy
through newspaper, radio and television public
service announcements, as well as billboards and
posters. The first business will be recognized in
January.
“Knoxville’s job growth has outpaced other
Tennessee metro areas and the state as a whole
and that envious record is largely because of our
existing businesses,” Haslam said. “It’s important
that we show our appreciation to these businesses
for all they do to improve the quality of life in our
community.”
“Knox County has led the state’s major
metropolitan areas in unemployment for the past
12 months and the main reason is our strong,
diverse business base,” said Ragsdale. “I
appreciate each and every business in Knox
County and know that we, as a community, have
not told them often enough how much we
appreciate them.”
The selection committee is comprised of the
Leadership Knoxville project team that developed
the idea, sponsoring media organizations Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR-TV, WIVK Radio,
Lamar Outdoor Advertising and PR Concepts.
Fill out the nomination form online at
www.cityofknoxville.org or www.knoxcounty.org.
For more information contact Mike Arms, of
Knox County, at (865) 215-4741 or Amy Nolan,
of the city of Knoxville, at (865) 215-3710.
New Members
Sidney Gilreath & Associates
Attorneys
(865) 637-2442
AMF Fountain Lanes
Bowling Lanes
(865) 687-4611
www.fountainlanes.amfcenters.com
George Ewart, Architect
Architects
(865) 602-7771
Eagle Bend Properties, LLC
Contractors - General
(865) 806-8008
EEAV
Audio-Visual
(865) 588-7800
www.eeav.com
Business Tennessee Magazine
Magazines
(615) 843-8000
www.businesstn.com
U-Store-It
Storage
(865) 690-5591
www.u-store-it.com
Prostead Engineered Plastics, Inc.
Plastics
(865) 691-0516
www.prosteadplastics.com
National Conference for Community Justice
Associations & Organizations
(865) 637-6140
www.korrnet.org/nccj
Dempster Poured Foundations
Cement
(865) 690-5002
Heavenly Beads
Retail - Specialty
(865) 690-1722
Independence Air
Aircraft-Charter Service
(703) 650-6000
www.flyi.com
M & M Catering
Catering & Carryout
(865) 719-1260
www.m-mcatering.com
Integrated Lean Solutions
Consultants - Business &
Management
(419) 366-1377
www.integratedleansolutions.com
Dawn J. Stewart, Mary Kay Cosmetics
Cosmetics & Perfumes
(865) 207-3552
www.marykay.com/dawn.stewart
Green County Bancshares
Banks
(865) 977-0800
Sudden Comfort
Caterers
(865) 748-5164
Tennessee Lasik Associates
Physicians & Surgeons
(865) 966-9183ts
www.tennesseelasik.com
Childress Garrett, Inc.
Consultants - Business &
Management
(865) 549-5252
Interspace Airport Advertising
Marketing
Programs/Services/Development
(610) 395-8002
www.iaateam.com
Innovative Information Technologies
Computer - Services
(865) 429-9899
www.iitservice.com
Sleep Affiliates of West Knoxville
Health Physics
(865) 690-2047
QUESTIONS? — CALL US!
If you have questions for any of the following
departments, call the Partnership at 637-4550.
President and CEO
Michael Edwards
Executive Vice President
Rhonda Rice
Partnership Retail Sales/
Publications, Apparel, Etc.
Barbara Teague
Relocation Information
Individuals/Families
Barbara Teague
Member Services
Vice President of Membership
Mark Field
Account Inquiries/Sponsorship
or Advertising Opportunities
Darcey Copenhaver, Nicole Brabender, Jonn Lingwall,
Michelle Dunham
Member Events
Allison Witt
Vice President of Marketing
Karen Ann Collins
Media/Newsletter Inquiries
Letitia Basner
Art & Web Inquiries
Scott Saulnier
Volunteer Opportunities
Melissa Spangler
Economic & Community Development
Vice President of Strategic Planning
Randy Vineyard
Director of Economic Development
Doug Lawyer
Business Relocation
Sites & Buildings
Michelle Scarbrough
Small Business Development
Teri Brahams
Existing Industry
Tom Irwin
Workforce Development
Cecilia Whittington
Central Business Improvement District
Michele Hummel
KUB Announces Major Wastewater Program
KUB is picking up the pace of its wastewater
improvement program to more quickly address
environmental needs and meet Clean Water Act
requirements. Partners Acting for a Cleaner
Environment (PACE 10), an accelerated, 10-year
program, will help improve Knoxville’s waterways,
quality of life and the economic well-being of the
community.
The comprehensive program includes
construction and maintenance projects to meet the
requirements of the May 2003 Agreed Order
between KUB and the Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation. To help ensure that
the program has the greatest impact on area
waterways, KUB expanded customer education,
community outreach and public input components
beyond what is required under the order.
“PACE 10 includes improved sewer lines,
additional treatment capacity and storage tanks to
keep the wastewater system from overflowing due
to heavy rainfall,” said Mintha Roach, KUB
president and CEO. “It also includes public
meetings to listen to our customers and education
efforts to keep the community informed.”
In 1987, the wastewater system was
transferred from the city of Knoxville to KUB. Since
Ambassadors Spotlight
Ambassador Profiles for October
Government Relations
Garrett Wagley
Technology Mining & Matching
Jack Cook
Jill Green, of LBMC Strategic Staffing of
Knoxville, LLC, has served as a
Welcomer Ambassador for a year by
welcoming new members to the
Partnership.
Michelle Sisson-Gregory, of Morgan
Stanley, has served as an Ambassador
for more than two years. For the past
year, she has served as a Welcomer
Ambassador by welcoming new
members to the Partnership.
Export Assistant Center
US Dept. of Commerce
George Frank
International Trade Center, TSBDC
Julie Hendrix
Top Ambassador Achievers for October
Nelson Pratt, of Hodges & Pratt
Company, P.C., has been an
Ambassador since July 2004 and
volunteers as a Networker Ambassador
by helping at Partnership functions.
Certificate of Origin
Joe Riley
Demographics & Research
Joe Riley
then KUB has upgraded treatment plants,
eliminated combined storm sewers and sanitary
sewers and has been inspecting, rehabilitating and
upgrading the collection system. KUB has spent
more than $140 million on system improvements
since 1987 and in the next 18 months expects to
spend $61 million on targeted rehabilitation, line
replacements, and storage and plant improvements.
“PACE 10 will be a massive undertaking, with
benefits for the environment and quality of life
which we will all enjoy,” said Roach. “However, it
also represents a significant investment over the
next 10 years, and that will impact the bills all of
us pay for wastewater service. KUB’s focus in the
past has been to balance our pace of
improvements with what our customers could
afford, but regulators have taken that discretion out
of our hands. We are now faced with an expedited
timeline in which to complete this work. We
recognize that will affect our customers’ bottom
line, and we’re committed to doing all we can to
mitigate that impact.”
There are a number of community meetings set
on this program.
For more information visit
http://PACE10.kub.org.
Sue Allan,
R. M. Moore Real
Estate Company
Bryan May, Pellissippi
State Technical
Community College
Alicia Howard,
American Home
Mortgage
Special thanks to the Foundry on the Fair Site for
sponsoring the Ambassadors for the month of
October. The Foundry offers a unique place for up to
700 people or events as small
as a single room for elegant
dining. The Foundry is a full
service wedding facility with a
special flair for personal planning and care in an
inviting and pleasurable atmosphere for you and your
guests. Delicious food, beautiful floral design, historic
charm all with personal service and friendly planning
make choosing The Foundry an easy decision. Call
to schedule a consultation at (865) 546-8656.
Partnership Happenings
The Partnership
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: 637-4550
fax: 523-2071
Central Business Improvement District
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: 637-4550
fax: 523-2071
The Development Corporation
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: 546-5887
fax: 546-6170
East Tennessee Television and Film Commission
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: 637-4550
fax: 524-3863
Tennessee Small Business Development Center
e-mail: [email protected]
tel: 637-4550
fax: 971-4439
U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center
tel: 637-4550
fax: 545-4435
Members mixed and mingled at the American Home
Mortgage Latte last month.
Guests enjoyed a humorous political update on the
presidential election from political whiz Charlie Cook.
Pictured from left to right: Mike Edwards, president and
CEO of the Partnership; Charlie Cook, Mike McNamee,
area executive of AmSouth Bank, and Leroy Abrahams,
senior vice president of AmSouth Bank.
Good News
Scripps Networks has acquired the cable network,
Great American Country, which airs the Grand Ole
Opry.
The University of Tennessee Career Center was
featured on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web
site for their assistance to Bomanite Corporation,
which recently opened a manufacturing plant in
Knoxville.
Bullock, Smith & Partners, an international design
firm, has been commissioned to develop a master
plan for Playland Park in Rye, N.Y. The park has
been in operation since 1928 and has been
designated a National Historic Landmark. BS&P
also began work in its 50th state, conducting a
planning workshop for the Clinton Lions Club Fair in
Clinton, Maine.
Polly Kromhout, registered nurse and patient safety
coordinator at UT Medical Center, has been selected
to help represent the state of Tennessee in the
patient safety improvement corps. UT Medical
Center also announced that Neuropathologist
Mahlon Johnson, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the
University of Tennessee Graduate School of
Medicine and the staff at UT Medical Center.
Lifestar, UT Medical Center’s emergency response
helicopter system, celebrated 20 years of service on
September 1.
Mayor Bill Haslam has announced the members of
his new Downtown Advisory Committee. The
committee will be in charge of aiding the
administration in creating a strategy for continuous
improvements to the downtown area. Dave Hill,
chief operating officer for the city of Knoxville, was
named chairman, and Mike Arms, chief of staff for
Knox County, was named vice chairman. Other
members include: Nicolas Arning, of Historic Zoning
Commission; Katie Bell, of TVA; Trey Benefield of
Benefield-Richters Co.; Gwen Brown, of Barge,
Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon; Knoxville Vice Mayor
Mark Brown; Leigh Burch, of Terminus Real Estate;
Loren Crabtree, of University of Tennessee; Pam
Fansler, of First Tennessee Bank-Knoxville; Phil
French, of Gentry Tipton, Kizer & McLemore;
Laurens Tullock, of Cornerstone Foundation; Scott
West, of Preservation Pub, and Mahasti Vafaie, of
The Tomato Head.
Ali M. Swofford, Ph.D., CSA, with Swofford
Financial Services, completed a comprehensive
course on priority senior issues earlier this fall. The
course, conducted by the Society of Certified Senior
Advisors, earns participants the Certified Senior
Advisor (CSA) designation.
PrSM, an employee-owned safety, environmental,
engineering and security services firm, has
promoted Diane McDaniel to director of Knoxville
environmental services.
The Safety and Ecology Corporation has hired
Martin Keller to serve as quality assurance manager
and lend valuable support to the existing staff.
The Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter has installed
new officers for the 2004-05 year. The new officers
are: Larry Struttman, as chair; Steve Starliper, as
vice chair; and Amy Goff, as vice chair.
*Bold names and companies are Partnership members.
Look Who’s Growing:
Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings
Enterprise Rent-A-Car celebrated the grand opening of their new
downtown location at the corner of Summit Hill Drive and Central
Avenue. Anthony Halas, regional rental manager, is pictured center
cutting the ribbon. Also present were: Sen. Tim Burchett, Knoxville
Vice-Mayor Mark Brown; County Commissioner Diane Jordan; and
LaMonte Bishop, of the County Mayor’s office. Contact Enterprise for
all your rental vehicle needs at (865) 579-5559 or visit
www.enterprise.com.
McAlister’s Deli celebrated the grand opening of their newest
location at 232 Morrell Rd. in the Deane Hill Shopping area.
Pictured from left to right are: Bill Morris, Partnership Ambassador;
Raeus Cannon, Partnership Board member; Alisa Morris, manager;
Jeff Shawl, owner; Suzanne Walker, manager, all of McAlister’s;
Jonn Lingwall, Partnership; and Tammi Pickett, Partnership
Ambassador.
American Home Mortgage (formerly Columbia National Mortgage)
celebrated the transition of the name to their parent company in
September. American Home Mortgage is a national mortgagebanking firm headquartered in Melville, N.Y. Allan Strand, branch
manager, is pictured center cutting the ribbon. Also present was City
Councilwoman Barbara Pelot. For more information contact (865)
470-2772 or visit www.columbianational.com.
Parkview Independent Living and TJ Development celebrated the grand
opening of Phase II development in September. Pictured from left to
right are: Bryan May, Partnership Ambassador; Todd Johnson, TJ
Development; County Commissioner Mary Lou Horner ; Jay McBride,
TJ Development; Partnership President Mike Edwards; and Jeff
Browning, Partnership Ambassador. For more information, call
Parkview at (865) 687-0033 or visit www.pvseniorliving.com.
Records Acquisition Service (RAS) celebrated their grand opening in
September. Pictured from left to right are: Nelson Pratt, Partnership
Ambassador; Robin Harrill, John Barber, Jessica Barber, Christina
Hoogesteger, all of RAS; Mark Field, Partnership; and Bryan May,
Partnership Ambassador. To learn more about Records Acquisition
Service, visit www.rastn.com.
Knoxville TVA Employee’s Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of
the South Knoxville branch located at 7210 Chapman Highway in
October. Pictured from left to right are: Bill Morris, Partnership
Ambassador; Rep. Jamie Hagood; Charlotte Beets, vice president of
Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union; City Councilman Joe Hultquist; and
of the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Jane Pipkin, Board of
Directors Chair; Lisa Whitted, manager, South Knoxville Branch; Bob R.
Stone, president and CEO; and Carl Mills, chairman of the Supervisory
Committee. For more information visit www.tvacreditunion.com.
Premier Partner Profile
President and CEO: Toni Browning, President &
CEO
Reasons for Success: Focus on the customer and
the community
Years in Business: 85
Reason chose to be a Premier Partner: As the
hometown department store, Proffitt’s has a
responsibility to the community to support its
growth and our relationship with the Partnership
is a key part of that support.
Name of Business: Proffitt’s
Years in Business in Knoxville: 85
Location: Alcoa, Tenn.
Business Description: Retail Department Store
Community Connection
Pellissippi State Technical Community
College is currently offering free GED
preparation for adults who would like
to get a GED this fall or spring.
Classes are offered Monday –
Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Adults
who are considering getting a GED
are encouraged to take a practice
test. To register, for the practice test
or obtain more information, visit
www.pstcc.edu.
different topics at the Tusculum
College’s Knoxville Regional Center
through December 11. Workshops
include: school law for administrators,
manage stress and harness the power
of personal well-being, attitude is
everything, sexual harassment
avoidance, “Can you hear me now?,”
clear communication skills for today’s
leaders and more. For more
information contact (865) 693-1177
ext. 5019.
The Knoxville Museum of Art is
displaying the works from famed
photographer David Allee. Allee’s
photography focuses on the effects of
artificial light on man made
environments and will be on display
through January 2. The museum will
host a gallery talk with Allee at
6:30 p.m. on November 18. For
more information contact (865) 5256101 or visit www.knoxart.org.
The Foothills Craft Guild will host a
fine crafts marketplace November 12
through 14 in the Jacob Building at
Chilhowee Park. The marketplace will
offer fine crafts by more than 135
Tennessee artisans including
woodwork, pottery, weaving,
leatherwork, jewelry and more. For
more information visit
www.foothillscraftguild.org.
Tusculum College’s professional
development institute is hosting a
variety of workshops on more than 15
The Ijams Nature Center has
announced new hours for the fall
season. Through November 30, the
nature center will be open Tuesday –
Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday
noon-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
For more information, contact (865)
577-4717.
The Knoxville Symphony Society has
announced the 2004-05 Knoxville
Symphony Youth Orchestra
Association (KSYO) members.
Auditions were held in August and
more than 400 young musicians came
to try out. The first official concert of
the KYSO will be on November 15 at
the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. For
more information, call (865) 5231178 ext. 36 or email
[email protected].
Club LeConte is offering holiday
parties for Partnership small
businesses. On December 7, the
ballroom will turn into one large
holiday open house event where your
company can reserve private tables to
enjoy a band, party favors, bar,
dinner and holiday decorations.
Parties must be 20 people or less and
the cost is $55 (plus tax and gratuity)
per person. The night includes
passed hors d’oeurves, champagne
toast, holiday favors, three course
plated dinner, company table
recognition and parking. For more
information or to make a reservation
call (865) 523-0405.
Broadway in Knoxville will present
“Fiddler on the Roof,” December 1012 at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.
This musical is a Broadway “tradition”
featuring Tevye, a humble Jewish
husband, milkman and father to five
marriageable daughters. Other
features in the Broadway series are
“Miss Saigon,” February 25-27,
“Crazy for You,” March 18-20, and
“Grease,” June 10-12. For more
information or to order call (865)
524-5311 or visit
www.broadwayinknoxville.com.
Premier Partners
Premier Partners are the leading businesses and
individuals that make a significant commitment to the
region’s economic development by supporting the
Partnership.
The companies below have made commitments to
either join the Premier Partner program as a first time
investor or upgrade their Premier Partner status by
making an even greater annual investment to the
Partnership.
Bronze
EEAV Integrated Systems
(865) 588-7800
www.eeav.com
601 W. Summit Hill Dr.
Suite 300
Knoxville, TN 37902-2011
www.knoxvillechamber.com
A PUBLICATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE KNOXVILLE AREA CHAMBER PARTNERSHIP
ar t n ers
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Knoxville, TN
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