Volume 32, Number 9 Number 32, Volume PRSRT STD July 2020 | $3.00 | 2020 July US Postage PAID Johnson City, TN
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Profiles in Business Business in Profiles
SPECIAL SECTION: SPECIAL
business issues as early voting nears voting early as issues business
Top Congressional contenders address address contenders Congressional Top Plus:
Photos courtesy ETSU and Bristol Chamber of Commerce of Chamber Bristol and ETSU courtesy Photos Feierabend. Margaret Mayor Tenn., Bristol, and Venable Richard
Pictured: ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland, Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine, Sullivan County Mayor Mayor County Sullivan Levine, Alan CEO and Chairman Health Ballad Noland, Brian Dr. President ETSU Pictured:
BMS, Ballad, ETSU officials among those donning masks to make major announcements major make to masks donning those among officials ETSU Ballad, BMS, Pushing through the crisis the through Pushing CommittedCommitted to Community to Community Health Health
As we’ve seen during this trying time, the Tri-Cities area is incredibly resilient. At Holston Medical As we’ve seen during this trying time, the Tri-Cities area is incredibly resilient. At Holston Medical Group (HMG), we’re doing our part by continuing to invest in the home we love so dearly Group (HMG), we’re doing our part by continuing to invest in the home we love so dearly regardless of what life throws our way. regardless of what life throws our way.
As an independently owned organization led by a team of physicians, we feel a great sense of As an independently owned organization led by a team of physicians, we feel a great sense of responsibility to the health of our community and our local economy. responsibility to the health of our community and our local economy.
Through HMG’s continued investments, we further our commitment to offer increased access to Through HMG’s continued investments, we further our commitment to offer increased access to cost-effective, quality care which offers convenience for patients in our area: cost-effective, quality care which offers convenience for patients in our area:
In Kingsport, we have invested $3.7 million in a multispecialty surgery center. MeadowView In Kingsport, we have invested $3.7 million in a multispecialty surgery center. MeadowView Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center which not only provides greater Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center which not only provides greater access to surgical care, but also supports the local economy and job market, creating 35 new access to surgical care, but also supports the local economy and job market, creating 35 new jobs. jobs. In Johnson City, we’re building a new facility which will provide family medicine, sports In Johnson City, we’re building a new facility which will provide family medicine, sports medicine and an outpatient diagnostic center, providing a high quality, low-cost solution for medicine and an outpatient diagnostic center, providing a high quality, low-cost solution for diagnostic testing needs like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, digital mammography, echocardiograms, diagnostic testing needs like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, digital mammography, echocardiograms, stress tests, ultrasounds and more. stress tests, ultrasounds and more. In Abingdon, we are investing in a new a facility, further expanding our family medicine, In Abingdon, we are investing in a new a facility, further expanding our family medicine, OB/GYN and dermatology services. OB/GYN and dermatology services.
As our community works to rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19, it is HMG’s mission to continue As our community works to rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19, it is HMG’s mission to continue to find new ways to provide high quality, cost-effective care. to find new ways to provide high quality, cost-effective care.
We’re in this together, for life. CHERRY POINT ANIMAL HOSPITAL We’re in this together, for life.
Visit HolstonMedicalGroup.com to learn about our services, find a doctor or location, make an Visit HolstonMedicalGroup.com to learn about our services, find a doctor or location, make an appointment and stay up-to-date on the latest news. We’re proud to help reopen every business we can. appointment and stay up-to-date on the latest news.
We’ve helped more than 1,000 businesses in our region with over $100 million in loan support. This has saved 14,000 jobs and counting. Tennessee is our home. And our customers are our We're in this together, family. We’re dedicated to keeping our community strong, thriving, and open. We're in this together, To learn how we can help, visit bankoftennessee.com/greenribbon forfor Life. Life.
Carter County Bank is a division of Bank of Tennessee Member FDIC holstonmedicalgroup.com 2 bjournal.com | July 2020 holstonmedicalgroup.com CommittedCommittedCommitted toto Community Communityto Community Health Health Health
As we’ve seen during this trying time, the Tri-Cities area is incredibly resilient. At Holston Medical AsAs wewe’’veve seen during thisthis trying trying time time, the, the Tri Tri-Cities-Cities area area is incrediblyis incredibly resilient resilient. At Holston. At Holston Medical Medical Group (HMG), we’re doing our part by continuing to invest in the home we love so dearly GroupGroup ((HMGHMG), wewe’’rere doingdoing our our part part by by continuing continuing to toinvest invest in thein the home home we lovewe love so dearly so dearly regardless of what life throws our way. regardlessregardless of what lifelife throws throws our our way way. .
As an independently owned organization led by a team of physicians, we feel a great sense of AsAs anan independentlyindependently ownedowned organization organization led led by by a teama team of physiciansof physicians, we, feelwe feela great a great sense sense of of responsibility to the health of our community and our local economy. responsibilityresponsibility to thethe healthhealth of of our our community community and and our our local local economy economy. .
Through HMG’s continued investments, we further our commitment to offer increased access to ThroughThrough HMG’’ss continuedcontinued investments investments, we, we further further our our commitment commitment to offer to offer increased increased access access to to cost-effective, quality care which offers convenience for patients in our area: costcost--effectiveeffective,, qualityquality carecare which which offers offers convenience convenience for for patients patients in our in ourarea area: :
In Kingsport, we have invested $3.7 million in a multispecialty surgery center. MeadowView InIn KingsportKingsport,, wewe havehave invested invested $ 3.7$3.7 million million in ina multispecialtya multispecialty surgery surgery center center. MeadowView. MeadowView Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center which not only provides greater SurgerySurgery Center isis aa state state-of-of-the-the-art-art outpatient outpatient surgery surgery center center which which not notonly only provides provides greater greater access to surgical care, but also supports the local economy and job market, creating 35 new accessaccess to surgical care care, ,but but also also supports supports the the local local economy economy and and job jobmarket market, creating, creating 35 new 35 new jobs. jobsjobs.. In Johnson City, we’re building a new facility which will provide family medicine, sports InIn JohnsonJohnson CityCity, , wewe’re’re building building a anew new facility facility which which will will provide provide family family medicine medicine, sports, sports medicine and an outpatient diagnostic center, providing a high quality, low-cost solution for medicinemedicine and anan outpatientoutpatient diagnostic diagnostic center center, providing, providing a high a high quality quality, low, -lowcost-cost solution solution for for diagnostic testing needs like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, digital mammography, echocardiograms, diagnosticdiagnostic testingtesting needs needs like like X X-rays-rays, MRIs, MRIs, CT, CT scans scans, digital, digital mammography mammography, echocardiograms, echocardiograms, , stress tests, ultrasounds and more. stressstress tests,, ultrasoundsultrasounds and and more more. . In Abingdon, we are investing in a new a facility, further expanding our family medicine, InIn AbingdonAbingdon,, wewe areare investing investing in in a anew new a facilitya facility, further, further expanding expanding our ourfamily family medicine medicine, , OB/GYN and dermatology services. OBOB//GYNGYN and dermatologydermatology services services. .
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Visit HolstonMedicalGroup.com to learn about our services, find a doctor or location, make an VisitVisit HolstonMedicalGroupHolstonMedicalGroup.com.com to to learn learn about about our our services services, find, find a doctor a doctor or location or location, make, make an an appointment and stay up-to-date on the latest news. appointmentappointment and staystay up up--toto-date-date on on the the latest latest news news. . We'reWe'reWe're inin in this this this together, together, together, forforfor Life. Life. Life.
holstonmedicalgroup.com holstonmedicalgroup.comholstonmedicalgroup.comJuly 2020 | bjournal.com 3 BRIGHTER TIMES ARE AHEAD Table of Contents | July 2020 LET’S WALK THAT WAY TOGETHER During uncertain times, more than ever, you deserve a trusted guide along your During uncertain times, more than ever, you deserve a trusted guide along your | ON THE COVER financial planning path. We’re here to help. financial planning path. We’re here to help. 12 14 16
Office 423.854.0140 [email protected]
Publisher William R. Derby Nathan Goodwin, JD Nick Clay, CFP®, AIF®, AAMS® Myra O’Dell, CFP®, MBA [email protected] ® ® ® Myra O’Dell, CFP®, MBA Pushing ahead despite 16 FTDD gets down to regional 423.979.1300 NathanPartner Goodwin, JD Nick Clay,Managing CFP ,Partner AIF , AAMS Partner Partner Managing Partner Partner economic development business Co-Publisher Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor the COVID crisis The First Tennessee Development District’s Jeff Derby Senior Financial Advisor COVID-stalled regional economic development [email protected] 423.306.0104 12 BMS to host 30,000 for All-Star Race movement picked up steam in June. Managing Editor How do you safely host 30,000 people for a 17 Barter by Moonlite and Play Scott Robertson sporting event? Put them in a venue designed [email protected] to hold 160,000. With Your Food 423.767.4904 Barter, restaurants find ways to keep Abingdon Contributing Writers 14 ETSU, Ballad leaders don masks to relevant during summer of COVID Don Fenley announce StrongBRAIN Institute Dave Ongie 18 COVID fails to slow Boone Philip Bachman, CIMA® Paul Hoilman, CFP® Observing social distancing and wearing Marketing Coordinator Philip Bachman, CIMA® Paul Hoilman, CFP® Lauren Olander Dam work Robin Williams Financial Advisor Senior Insurance Advisor Lauren Olander masks, Alan Levine and Brian Noland were [email protected] Financial Advisor Senior Insurance Advisor Chief Compliance Officer The repair work continued without delay Investment Management Financial Advisor Chief Compliance Officer joined by community leaders to announce an 423.794.6938 Investment Management Financial Advisor Trading & Operations effort to end ACEs. throughout the spring, with no letup in sight. Portfolio Research Trust Operations Trading & Operations Creative Portfolio Research Trust Operations Derby Publishing, LLC Graphics Director / Judd Shaw | FEATURES [email protected] 423.833.2726 10 Southwest Virginia seeks return to 19 The Business Journal energy dominance Questionnaire Multiple projects are underway to take Leading Congressional candidates answer advantage of region’s existing assets questions on everything from China to big tech to selling off the TVA. Kim Blankenstein Scott Hoilman Carolyn Kerr Yvonne Cockrell Kim Blankenstein Scott Hoilman Carolyn Kerr Yvonne Cockrell SPECIAL SECTION: Client Support Insurance Advisor Office Administrator Office Administrator | Client Support Insurance Advisor Office Administrator Office Administrator PROFILES IN BUSINESS Subscription per year $25. Financial Paraplanner Client Support Client Support FinancialTrading & Paraplanner Operations Client Support Client Support Trading & Operations | DEPARTMENTS 7...... From the Editor 25 ...... News Briefs The Business Journal of Investments | Group Benefits & Business Services | Insurance 9...... Trends 28 ...... The Last Word Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia Investments | Group Benefits & Business Services | Insurance is published monthly by Derby Publishing, LLC PO Box 5006 Editor’s note: Part two of our report on higher education, originally scheduled to appear in this issue, has been moved Johnson City, TN 37602 to the August issue, for space reasons, as well as changes in the circumstances surrounding higher education. Phone: 423.854.0140 www.BCSwealth.com ©2020 www.BCSwealth.com 423.283.9821 4 bjournal.com | July 2020 BRIGHTER TIMES ARE AHEAD LET’S WALK THAT WAY TOGETHER During uncertain times, more than ever, you deserve a trusted guide along your During uncertain times, more than ever, you deserve a trusted guide along your financial planning path. We’re here to help. financial planning path. We’re here to help.
® ® ® ® Nathan Goodwin, JD Nick Clay, CFP®, AIF®, AAMS® Myra O’Dell, CFP®, MBA NathanPartner Goodwin, JD Nick Clay,Managing CFP ,Partner AIF , AAMS Myra O’Dell,Partner CFP , MBA Partner Senior FinancialPartner Advisor SeniorManaging Financial Partner Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor Senior Financial Advisor
Philip Bachman, CIMA® Paul Hoilman, CFP® ® ® Lauren Olander PhilipFinancial Bachman, Advisor CIMA SeniorPaul InsuranceHoilman, Advisor CFP Lauren Olander Financial Advisor Senior Insurance Advisor Chief Compliance Officer Investment Management Financial Advisor Chief Compliance Officer Investment Management Financial Advisor Trading & Operations Portfolio Research Trust Operations Trading & Operations Portfolio Research Trust Operations
Kim Blankenstein Scott Hoilman Carolyn Kerr Yvonne Cockrell KimClient Blankenstein Support InsuranceScott Hoilman Advisor OfficeCarolyn Administrator Kerr OfficeYvonne Administrator Cockrell Insurance Advisor FinancialClient ParaplannerSupport OfficeClient Administrator Support OfficeClient Administrator Support FinancialTrading & Paraplanner Operations Client Support Client Support Trading & Operations
Investments | Group Benefits & Business Services | Insurance www.BCSwealth.com 423.283.9821 July 2020 | bjournal.com 5 At Lexus of Kingsport, we understand the complexities of buying a luxury automobile. As part of your Lexus of Kingsport ownership experience, we offer many complimentary services: Lexus loaner vehicles, pick-up and delivery of your vehicle while in for service, and a well-appointed client lounge, just to name a few. And, while you are in for service, rest assured that your Lexus will be repaired by a Certified Lexus Technician, trained to work only on your vehicle.
Call or visit Lexus of Kingsport today to experience the finest luxury cars ever built.
OF KINGSPORT
2527 East Stone Drive | Kingsport, TN | 423-224-2270 | lexusofkingsport.com
6 bjournal.com | July 2020 From The Editor Failed meeting a blessing in disguise?
he NeTREP-NET- asked to get into the nuts and bolts of how to accomplish the TWORKS joint board tasks of economic development on a regional level. They were meeting last month was a being asked to say exactly what they liked and didn’t like about bust. the organizational model and to pose specific questions. Members of the boards of But as a break-out into small groups stretched longer and directors of the economic longer, some of the more astute members of the boards began development organizations to realize there would be precious little time left to address serving Carter, Unicoi their questions before the meeting was scheduled to end. and Washington counties And so, once the meeting had reconvened in full and the (the Northeast Tennessee specific questions from each small group were published to Regional Economic the room, Lentz quickly pointed out that most of the questions Partnership or NeTREP) dealt with matters of governance, scope of operation and and Sullivan and Hawkins structure, the very terms he had used hours before. counties (NETWORKS Lentz then suggested that everyone in the room volunteer to Sullivan Partnership) came sit on a committee to address one of these issues in the coming together with the expecta- weeks and months. You could hear the air go out of the room. tion that they would walk away from the meeting with either It sure felt like someone had already chosen not only to guide a firm sense that their organizations would merge – and if so, future discussion along preconceived lines, but to fix the rate of what that merged entity might look like – or a firm sense that progress by channeling that discussion into more committees, the merger would not happen. Instead, they walked away with rather than addressing the specific questions posed by the a firm sense their time had been wasted. board members on the day they were asked. The facilitator of the meeting, Jody Lentz, a longtime orga- More committees? More meetings? More weeks, maybe nizational strategy and culture consultant based in Nashville, months, spent NOT reaching a decision? And after finally getting clearly went into the meeting with different expectations than both full boards – all the right people, and all with busy schedules the board members. Lentz told the meeting via Zoom (he was in – in the same room at the same time? It was disastrous. Nashville, most of the board members were in the same room Lentz asked the boards to rate “how we did today.” On a in Blountville) that he did not plan to “boil the whole ocean” in scale of one to five, with five being the best, the final result for the meeting, but that he hoped everyone would end the meeting “progress” was a 2.2. with “a shared understanding of where we are, where we’ve Most of the board members left without signing up for a been, and kind of what the next steps are, coming out of that.” committee. At Lexus of Kingsport, we understand the The board members already knew where they were and I’ve spoken on background with eight members from the two where they had been. They were ready to take the next steps boards since the meeting, plus both CEOs. Nobody feels good complexities of buying a luxury automobile. from the moment they entered the room. There might not have about what happened. As part of your Lexus of Kingsport ownership experience, we offer many complimentary services: been unanimity on what those steps should be, but the boards The committees will meet, hopefully very soon, and one Lexus loaner vehicles, pick-up and delivery of your vehicle while in for service, and a well-appointed were ready to begin hashing out those details. would assume from the tone and tenor of the board members’ And for a while, it looked like that’s what would happen. Lentz off-the-record comments, those committees will conduct their client lounge, just to name a few. And, while you are in for service, rest assured that your Lexus will used the first minutes of the meeting to go over the results of a business with due dispatch. be repaired by a Certified Lexus Technician, trained to work only on your vehicle. pre-meeting poll of board members that showed 84 percent of The silver lining is that so many board members are now the board members supported a regional approach to economic resolved not to let more time be wasted. Whether the boards Call or visit Lexus of Kingsport today to experience the finest luxury cars ever built. development and that 74 percent believed a public-private decide to merge or not, I believe the pace and intensity of the partnership was the best model for that regional approach to use. talks will pick up sharply. If members weren’t ready to figure Lentz then pivoted to a discussion of issues that needed to be out a direction and get moving before the joint meeting, they addressed. He mentioned trust, governance, scope of operation certainly appear to be now. And that’s probably not a bad thing. and structure. After a not-terribly-brief intermission, the session started back with a look at an organizational chart created by NET- WORKS CEO Clay Walker last year as part of his white paper, “The Right Time for the Right Organization.” This appeared to be another step in the right direction. OF KINGSPORT Instead of listening to a lecture, board members were being 2527 East Stone Drive | Kingsport, TN | 423-224-2270 | lexusofkingsport.com
July 2020 | bjournal.com 7 8 bjournal.com | July 2020 Trends GLOBAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES Home sales rebound slightly from April to May, but remain down 22 percent year-to-year Jerry Petzoldt Agency, LLC May’s home sales made a slight bounce the market for 74 days. Each office independently owned and operated from April but continue to be gripped by The six-month trend shows closings Search Over 750 Properties the coronavirus economic fallout. are lagging the first half of last year by 9 There were 569 closings in May, up percent while the average sales price has www.tcigroup.com 4.7 percent from April, but down 21.7 increased by 5.8 percent. percent from May last year, according Looking ahead, as new pending sales Kingsport 423.230.0255 to the Northeast Tennessee Association for the local market rose in May, experts Johnson City 423.915.0911 of REALTORS (NETAR). May’s average anticipate more significant growth in sales price was $184,593, up 3.9 percent June and July. There were 881 new from May last year. contracts at the end of the month – an “Market activity is picking up,” NETAR upturn from 663 at the end of April and President Kristi Bailey said. “Sellers 12.3 percent higher than May last year. accepted almost 900 new contracts that Pending sales are a leading indicator of Jerry Petzoldt Gary Sproles Jackie Hewitt are moving toward closing in June and housing activity based on signed contracts Development Investment Buyer Representative July. And there were 220 more new for existing single-family homes, condo- 423.677.2486 423.612.0617 423.292.1000 listings than there were in April, but it minium, and townhome resales in the area wasn’t enough to keep up with demand.” monitored by the Northeast Tennessee The Mortgage Bankers Association Association of Realtors (NETAR) Trends (MBA) is reporting that applications for Report. Since resales go under contract home purchases have increased for five 30 to 60 days before the sale is closed, Cassie Petzoldt Glenn Perkins Kelsey Quillin consecutive weeks. Government purchase pending sales typically lead existing-home General Business Net Leased Investment Leasing Specialist applications (FHA, VA, and USDA loans) sales by about two months. 423.677.2344 423.956.5707 423.948.1743 are now 5 percent higher than a year ago, “By mid-June, REALTORS were seeing according to the MBA. increases in consumer traffic and closings “The local market continues to struggle were also picking up,” according to with the lowest inventory real estate NETAR President Kristi Bailey. “The most professionals can remember,” Bailey substantial problem holding the local Lynn Shipley Shea Sproles David Johnson added. “Area-wide there were barely market back is lack of inventory. Prices are Professional Corporate Financial three months of inventory on the market up, interest rates are at record lows, and 423.612.4905 423.612.2646 423.765.3636 in May. And in some city markets, it was buyers are ready to buy,” she added. closer to two months. Six months of Active listings at the end of May were inventory is considered balanced housing up 430 compared to a year ago, and the market conditions.” region had three months of inventory. Single-family resales accounted for 533 There were 821 new listings – a decline of Brenda Clarke Roger Lowe of May’s residential closing, an increase 346 from last year’s total. May’s median Site Selection International of 32 from April but 131 fewer than May listing price ($209,900) was up 14.7% 423.737.0911 423.773.3706 last year. The average sales price of from last year, while the median sales $188,265, was up $5,887 from last year. price ($159,450) was up 2.9 percent. Thirty-six townhome/condominium sales NETAR’s Trends Report reflects hous- FOR SALE closed in May – six fewer than during ing market conditions in Carter, Greene, April and 27 fewer than last year. The Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and average sales price was $130,229, an Washington counties in NE Tenn. and improvement of $1,938 from last year. Scott, Lee, Wise, and Washington counties The average single-family sale that closed in SW Virginia. It also includes market in May spent 111 days on the market. The data from the region’s major city markets. average townhome/condo resale was on HWY 394, BLOUNTVILLE, TN
July 2020 | bjournal.com 9 Features Can entrepreneurs remake Southwest Virginia’s energy economy? Region looks to pivot from “coal country” to “energy innovation capitol of the east coast”
by Scott Robertson
he image of Southwest Virginia as “MOVA’s panel-bed filter is designed Ta region reeling from the decline of to use solid sorbents to simultaneously the coal industry was earned fairly. But a filter both particulate matter and gaseous newly formed organization, the Southwest pollutants while segmenting those pollutants Virginia Energy Research and Development upon filtration. Each panel bed is equipped Authority, is aiming to reshape the region’s with a solid sorbent designed to remove one energy economy using entrepreneurship specific pollutant.” and innovation. Formed by action of the The key is that the extracted pollutants Virginia General Assembly in 2019, the can be extracted and recycled, taking what authority named Mike Quillen, former had once been only a toxic by-product and CEO of Alpha Natural Resources as its turning it into a secondary product capable first chairman. “This authority is going to of producing a new revenue stream. think outside the box on energy projects For instance, fly ash can be sold to that bring together innovative research, companies that make cement. Nitrogen workforce development, and economic oxide can be used in the production of development under one umbrella,” Quillen pharmaceutical anesthetics, fertilizers and said. “Our team is going to think creatively food preservatives. Sulfur dioxide can be and strategically on how to to pair renew- sold to paper companies, and so on. able energy with job-creating projects.” Will Clear While the first thoughts for such a tech- To that end, the authority is already nology likely turn to the energy marketplace, working on four projects, any one of which especially in the far east where coal-fired could potentially create jobs and investment. plants still generate a majority of electrical power, there are much broader uses for the Project Revolution technology, said MOVA Technologies CEO The project that’s furthest along is the Steve Critchfield. “Imagine a device placed work being done by MOVA Technologies. in a poultry or swine facility that eliminates MOVA announced June 29 it had success- any odors caused by methane and hydrogen fully completed proof-of-concept testing sulfide, or imagine a device placed on an at Virginia Tech and is moving on to seek energy production facility that eliminates the partners for real-world pilot projects in need to capture pollutants and store them commercial settings. in bags. That is our technology. We believe Naming MOVA’s work on filtration of air- there are multiple opportunities for strategic borne pollutants “Project Revolution” may partnerships to both deploy our technology sound like hyperbole, but if the technology and to further customize our chemical can be brought to scale for commercializa- sorbent compounds.” tion, revolutionary might just be an accurate InvestSWVA is partnering with MOVA description. Technologies to site a pilot scale test in “Existing technologies that remove Will Payne Southwest Virginia. “This project will sustain particulate matter and scrubbers that remove jobs and tax revenues on the legacy side,” gaseous pollutants fail to meet the complex said Will Payne, director of both In- needs of today’s industries,” said Luke Allison, MOVA spokesman. vestSWVA and the authority. “And on the technology side, it will “When pollutants enter current filtration devices, the filters simply create new job and investment opportunities that are not being trap all pollutants in a single storage area, creating a toxic mixture. utilized in Appalachia today. In addition, MOVA’s technology will Once this toxic mixture is created, the captured pollutants cannot help companies achieve their sustainability goals. And, we can be recovered for any further use. clean up the environment too.”
10 bjournal.com | July 2020 Critchfield told a vir- Project Innovation tual news conference Project Innovation is that he was committed the hub that will bring it to launch the pilot all together, Payne said. project somewhere in “Just like Project Oasis, GOVa’s Region One, I think we’re going to which is comprised have a dream team of entirely of Southwest folks here to develop Virginia counties. this the right way.” The basic structure is that of Project Energizer a business park model, Two scientists from but with a significant Liberty University, Dr. difference. Thomas Eldredge and The MOVA Technologies process allows individual pollutants to be isolated separately “The park will be Dr. Hector Medina, so they can be resold to other companies. operated by a private are working on a plan entity that will secure by which power will private dollars and be generated using the topography and grant funds and will manage the site or sites, natural resources of southwest Virginia. including the public and education compo- The pump-storage hydro (PSH) system. nents,” Payne said. “That entity will market Water is stored in reservoirs at the tops of the opportunity to energy companies and en- hills, allowed to flow downhill through a trepreneurs and ultimately develop projects powerhouse into reservoirs further downhill, like Energizer, Revolution and Oasis. then pumped back to the upper reservoirs. “Project Innovation presents the single The energy generated at the powerhouse is greatest opportunity for Southwest Virginia greater than that used to pump the water, to redefine itself,” Payne added. “This will creating a net gain. be a first-of-its-kind operation in the United Worldwide, PSH systems are costly and States hosting companies and entrepreneurs slow to build, but most are large operations interested in studying, perfecting and even- in the 200-megawatt range. Project Energiz- tually commercializing their ideas. Simply er seeks to create smaller, modular closed- put, the energy park will provide land, labs loop systems with an approximate power and scientific assistance to innovators in capacity range of 1 to 10 megawatts. the energy industry. It will also be a facility The problems being addressed are reduc- Luke Allison that allows middle and high school students ing the costs for materials and construction, in southwest Virginia to see STEM-related improving the ease of installation, and expe- energy projects in action. diting the project development timeline. A secondary objective “Though the authority was created by the Virginia General of this work is to facilitate standardization of components, to the Assembly and will play a role in Project Innovation, Payne said, extent possible, so that replication of similar PSH systems does “This will not be a government-run entity. It will be focused on not require a complete redesign, according to a project summary. bringing in prospects and researchers to hopefully commercialize GO Virginia funds will be used to procure contract services for their technology.” location vetting. Those funds will also support Virginia Depart- Right now, the main funding question for the project isn’t ment of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) hourly work to about getting it built, said Will Clear, DMME director of Finance support location vetting and materials testing and analysis to be and Procurement. It’s sustainability. “It’s a lot easier to obtain completed by Liberty University. grant dollars to buy land, and there’s been a whole lot of work The project has a current budget of $197,000, with GO Virginia done on the land and the water assets in southwest Virginia. funds covering $50,000 of that. The Lenowisco Planning District But it’s not that easy to create dollars to manage this. I think is also supporting Project Energizer. that’s where the real work is going to be done. It’ll require some flexibility and creativity. To me, there’s almost got to be a tie-in Project Oasis with some venture capital money.” First introduced at an August 2019 press conference in Wise, The mere fact that southwest Virginia is being mentioned Project Oasis seeks to use water currently in abandoned coal mines as a destination for venture capital funds in renewable energy as a coolant which could be used to make it more cost-efficient for projects represents a significant departure from the region’s technology companies to locate data centers in southwest Virginia. nationwide perception. Payne, Clear, Critchfield, Quillen and a Invest SWVA and the DMME are partnering to study the develop- host of other players are determined that both the projects and ment of tools that prioritize power and fiber network availability the departure from old perceptions are sustainable. and the potential of mine pool water reclamation.
July 2020 | bjournal.com 11 Cover Story Bristol Motor Speedway to host 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race GM Jerry Caldwell says track is ready to be under world’s microscope
by Scott Robertson
n July 15, Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) will host what will Olikely be the most important event in its history. The irony is that from an attendance standpoint, it will be one of the smallest events the track has ever hosted. Yet though only 30,000 or so fans will be in the seats for the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, the world will be watching to see how, or if, a sporting event can be conducted safely with that many fans in attendance during the COVID-19 crisis. When The Business Journal met with BMS Executive Vice Bristol Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell to discuss Manager Jerry Caldwell, Bristol Chamber of Commerce President preparations for the race, evidence that BMS was taking the Beth Rhinehart. PHOTOS BY EARL NEIKIRK, COURTESY BRISTOL CHAMBER crisis seriously was conspicuous. The Bruton Smith Building OF COMMERCE was locked and virtually empty of staff, despite the pending event. A space that is usually a beehive of activity in the weeks leading up to a race was unsettlingly quiet. Outside empty staff for Bristol races to have first dibs on seats at the All-Star Race, offices were notices on the walls that meetings could only be followed by ticket-holders to other Speedway Motorsports held in conference rooms, because many offices had been too events. Once those fans had a chance to purchase All-Star tickets, small for social distancing. then the general public was offered the remaining seats in the Instead of meeting Caldwell in his office, as we have always pool of 30,000. done in the past, we sat in the second-floor lobby, about ten feet Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable said that while most apart. With the crisis playing such a large role in the day-to-day of the sentiment among those who he’d spoken to about the operations, Caldwell said BMS, and its parent company, Speedway event was positive, some locals expressed concern about inviting Motorsports, felt safe hosting a 30,000-fan spectacle after having outside fans into an area of the country where the COVID-19 had lengthy discussions with public health officials at all levels. case count has been consistently low. “There have been some “I think the state and county and city officials were all extreme- concerned individuals, of course,” Venable said. “But the health ly supportive,” Caldwell said. “They certainly had questions, as department has been working with the speedway, and we think they should, and wanted to see plans and talk through the way everything is being done the right way.” we would do it in a safe way. The balancing act between public health concerns and a “One of the beauties of having a 156,000-seat facility is you can desperate need for an economic jolt for the region has been put 30,000 people in there,” Caldwell added. “You have plenty of a microcosm of the national debate. The economy needs the space to social distance everyone.” injection of money from tourists bringing dollars into the region, The ticketing process is unlike anything ever undertaken, but the fear those tourists might also bring something altogether Caldwell said. “We can make sure that we seat everyone safely, and unwelcome is real. our ticket office across Speedway Motorsports has done a great Caldwell tamped down those fears somewhat with an job of getting those orders in and making sure that we’re spacing expectation that a higher percentage of fans at the All-Star Race parties out. However many people are in that party, we’re allowing than normal will be locals. “It’s easier for them to get here. for social distance for those that are around them.” This is a middle of the week event; it’s a Wednesday. They’re The ticketing process allowed for holders of season tickets comfortable, so they can come over and enjoy the race and then
12 bjournal.com | July 2020 Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable discusses safety precautions Bristol Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General for fans attending the race. Manager Jerry Caldwell announces the All-Star Race to the media.
go back to their house. congregating. We’re not going to be doing those things this time, “But, we’re certainly having response from folks coming from so your Chevrolet display – we won’t be having trailers set up to far outside the region to come in and enjoy this event. We do sell merchandise. Again, we don’t want folks congregating there.” have camping open. We’ve had a good response to that.” Caldwell But, Caldwell said, he believes NASCAR fans will understand hastened to add that the window available for camping before the and appreciate the speedway’s efforts. race is shorter than normal. “Someone has to be the first one to step out there and say yeah, In addition to social distancing in the seating areas, Caldwell we’ll put on a major event in a pandemic and we feel strongly that said, public health and safety measures have been paramount we can do it in the right way and that our visitors will cooperate,” throughout the process, from the cashless, paper-ticketless Caldwell said. digital ticketing process all the way through race night. “It’s important to have a really good team and to trust your “We’re looking at all the touch points from how we distance team and to have really good relationships with those that can people as they show up to the gate – we’re going to schedule help you down this path,” Caldwell said. “We’re all figuring this times for people to come in so that they’re spacing there,” out together. None of us have ever operated on a major sporting Caldwell said. event in a pandemic. But we have great partners at the state In addition, the lines in the concourse area will be marked level and the local level and our partners at Ballad Health who for social distancing, elevators to the suite level will take only a have reviewed plans and consulted with us and given input and certain number of people at one time, and masks will be manda- made sure again that we can do these things in the right way. I tory on the elevators and in the suites. feel confident in the Speedway Motorsports team and the Bristol In fact, fans will be “strongly encouraged” to wear masks even Motor Speedway team that we can do that. while social distancing in the stands and concourse areas, and “I want it to be an event that people leave and they say, ‘you Caldwell said the speedway will have enough masks on hand to know what? That was - we had a lot of fun. I felt safe while I was provide one for every single fan in attendance. there. And I’m ready to go back.’ “Every BMS employee will be wearing a mask the entire time, “We don’t take this lightly and it comes with great responsi- every food vendor,” Caldwell said. “Every NASCAR official and bility,” Caldwell added, acknowledging the event will be under a participant will be wearing a mask the entire time.” world-wide microscope. “Every time we take a step forward, we Caldwell said the fans will have to make some allowances that have to do it in the right way so that we can take another step this racing experience will not be exactly what they’ve become forward. I look forward to seeing folks say, ‘okay, that was done accustomed to over the years at BMS. “We won’t have displays well. Now, where can we do that somewhere else and do it in the like we always do for fans to go interact anywhere people were right and the responsible way?’”
July 2020 | bjournal.com 13 FeaturesCover Story
Representatives from Ballad Health and ETSU were joined by community partners for the announcement. (L-R: Dr. Nancy Dishner, the Nis- wonger Foundation; Travis Staton, United Way of Southwest Virginia; Claudia Byrd, Speedway Children’s Charities, Dr. Brian Noland, ETSU president; Alan Levine, Ballad Health Chairman and CEO; Dr. Wally Dixon, Strong BRAIN Institute. PHOTOS COURTESY ETSU Ballad Health, ETSU partner to form Strong BRAIN Institute Community partners support effort to research and combat adverse childhood experiences
allad Health and East Tennessee State University announced and nurturing environments that children need to succeed and BJune 26 a new partnership that will establish a first-of-its- thrive. ACEs can have lasting effects on children as they mature kind institute to promote the awareness and empirical study of into adults, leading to adulthood disease, disability and social adverse childhood experiences, otherwise known as ACEs. impediments. Studies have found the more adverse events a ACEs are considered traumatic experiences, such as abuse, person experiences as a child, the higher the risk of that person neglect and family dysfunction that can disrupt the safe, stable having health, social and economic problems. The Strong BRAIN (Building Resilience through ACEs-In- formed Networking) Institute will facilitate the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices that prevent, reduce or mitigate the negative effects of ACEs on health and health disparities. The institute will also work to inform the citizenry and workforce in the Appalachian Highlands on the importance of being trauma informed. “Some groundbreaking work on the study of ACEs is already being done right here in the Appalachian Highlands, and we hope the creation of this institute will make our region the national hub for future study of the effects of adverse childhood experiences,” Ballad Health Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan Levine said. Levine gave a step-by-step explanation of the economic impact of ACEs and the importance to the region of combatting their effects. “If you think about it, before COVID, we had 45,000 or so people above what the average should have been for people that are out of the workforce. The workforce participation rate here Alan Levine listens as Dr. Brian Noland addresses the media. was only 52 percent. How do you fix that? We know – science
14 bjournal.com | July 2020 tells us an 18-year-old who graduates • Consulting with other community topics throughout the community and college- or career-ready is more likely to be agencies for transforming their policies, pro- beyond. able to sustain a family and have a healthier cedures, and philosophies to better align with The Strong BRAIN institute will be lifestyle. We also know – science also tells promoting resilience and ACEs mitigation; designed to translate best practices of us that 18-year-olds who could not read at • Promoting, coordinating, conducting, addressing adverse childhood experiences grade level by the third grade are much less and spotlighting ACEs-related research and into community action though local organi- likely to graduate high school college- or service collaborations; zations, such as the STRONG Accountable career-ready. We also know – the science • Promoting, coordinating, and spotlighting Care Community, Speedway Children’s tells us that kids who don’t make it to ACEs-related collaborations with multiple Charities and the Niswonger Foundation. kindergarten kindergarten-ready are less community sectors, such as those focused “In addition to producing innovative likely to be able to read at the third-grade on healthcare delivery, education, business research, this institute will surely attract level by third grade.” innovation, and faith-based initiatives; the attention of the whole medical commu- “From pre-birth to three years old, you • Providing infrastructural support for nity who specializes in adverse childhood have the opportunity to transform an ACEs-related grant applications and grants experiences, and hopefully, it will lead many entire cohort of young people so that by management; and of them to visit the Appalachian Highlands the time they get to 18, they’re college- and • Providing consultation on ACEs-related and see all that it has to offer,” Levine said. career-ready,” Levine said. “If Tennessee wants to grow economically, it’s got to have a workforce. In order to have a workforce, you’ve got to graduate your kids college- or career-ready. That’s the role Ballad and ETSU are playing here. If we do this right, the real results won’t be felt for probably an- other 18 years. These interventions we do at the front end, we’ll know in five years if kids are more prepared for kindergarten. Then three years after that, we’ll know if they’re better prepared to read at the third-grade level. But you have to start somewhere, and that’s where we are right now.” Established through a five-year gift from Ballad Health to ETSU, the Strong BRAIN Institute will be guided by an advisory board comprised of ETSU experts, Ballad Health experts and community members. “We cannot thank Ballad Health enough for once again stepping up to offer this gift that will not only bring additional national recognition to ETSU, but this institute will truly benefit the people of this region, both directly and indirectly,” ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland said. “When Ballad Health and ETSU came together to form the Strong BRAIN Institute, one of our main strategic objectives was to ensure I SAW THE LIGHT this research center serves as a resource regionally, nationally and even interna- SUNNYSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH | KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE tionally on the study of adverse childhood The new Worship Center for Sunnyside Baptist Church mixes contemporary design with a experiences and the social determinants it recognition of tradition to bring form to the worship values of the church - GO and BE THE LIGHT in this DARK WORLD! The Worship Center creates a welcoming place that promotes Christian can have on health.” fellowship, worship, training, and evangelism for a growing congregation. The Strong BRAIN Institute’s objectives include: • Developing a certificate program and other educational programs to promote trauma awareness; • Developing a plan for transforming ETSU policies, procedures, and philos- 3203 HANOVER ROAD, JOHNSON CITY, TN | (423) 952-2700 | THOMASWEEMSARCHITECT.COM ophies to better align with promoting resilience and ACEs mitigation;
July 2020 | bjournal.com 15 Cover Story
(L-R) Will Barrett confers with Bill Sumner and Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy.
First Tennessee Development District dives into regional economic development
by Scott Robertson
he First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) Board of public, private and social sectors TDirectors voted June 30 to allow a task force to recommend • A president to be appointed by the board charter and by-law changes to allow the FTDD Foundation to be • An executive vice president to oversee day-to-day operations used as a tool for regional economic development. The board, • Five vice-presidents, an accountant and an administrative made up of mayors of cities, towns and counties in northeast assistant Tennessee, approved the motion on a voice vote at its semi-annu- The five vice-presidents were initially discussed as being analo- al meeting in Bristol. gous to the five areas of Grandy and Venable’s Blue Ribbon Task The vote is just the latest step by the FTDD toward re-entering Force: Entrepreneurship, Existing Business Development, Tourism, the economic development arena, in which it had been a player Workforce Development and Industrial Development. However, 50 years ago, but had long abdicated its role to individual since existing business development was determined by the Blue county-based organizations. Ribbon Task Force to be best accomplished at the local, rather than The board met in early March, just before the COVID-19 crisis regional, level, a vice president of marketing was proposed. hit in earnest, for a retreat focused on regional economic devel- The task force estimated that each of the seven executive posi- opment. At that meeting, the board determined it had an interest tions would require a budget of around $100,000 plus benefits to in promoting regionalism, focusing on economic and community adequately staff, that the administrative assistant position would development as well as cultural and tourism-related development. require an estimated salary of $60,000 plus benefits and that A task force made up of FTDD Chairman and Sullivan County the finance and accounting director would require an estimated Mayor Richard Venable, Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy, salary of $75,000 plus benefits. Adding $72,000 for overhead Johnson City Mayor Jenny Brock, Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull, and $800,000 for functional area activities including travel and Bristol Mayor Margaret Feierabend, FTDD Director Chris Craig promotion, the task force estimated the annual budget for the and FTDD Board member Susan Reid was assigned the duties of agency would run close to $2 million. further developing an initiative to pursue those ends. The task force posited that if the expenditures were divided That task force met at the Jonesborough Visitors Center June equally between the public, private and social sectors, each sector 24 to discuss plans for an organization to operate under the would be responsible for $638,583 annually. For the public auspices of the FTDD Foundation, which would allow it to utilize sector, that breaks down to $1.25 per capita for the 512,000 res- both public and private funds. idents of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Among the recommendations of the task force for what they Unicoi and Washington counties. tentatively named the First Tennessee Economic Development The task force has said it will seek to meet with key leaders Agency were: from the private and social sectors to determine their level of • A 15-member board to consist of five members each from the interest in taking part.
16 bjournal.com | July 2020 Features Abingdon eateries hope to capitalize on Barter’s Moonlight gambit by Scott Robertson
hen Barter Theatre announced June 10 it would produce the moonlight of the Moonlite Drive-in.” Wplays outdoors this summer at the Moonlite Drive-In, one Barter will produce plays on a stage in front of the Drive-in of the key take-aways was that Barter understood its role as a theater’s screen, with live video close-ups of the players on the tourism driver for Abingdon and its businesses. Now some of screen in the background, says producing artistic director Katy those businesses are launching an effort to bolt onto the Barter’s Brown. The stage had to be built in short order so the opening summer season. performance of The Wizard of Oz could be performed July 14. Abingdon’s independently-owned restaurants are encouraging Barter will also produce performances of Beauty and the Beast Barter patrons to visit their establishments and either dine in or Jr. during the outdoor summer season. take a picnic dinner with them before heading for the drive-in, Other regional businesses have played a role in making Barter says Amanda Livingston, assistant director of Tourism for the at the Moonlite possible. Food City and J A Street & Associates town of Abingdon. “Barter has been so innovative in producing were responsible for leasing and helping prepare the grounds of plays at a drive-in movie theater, so why not bring a boxed picnic the historic Moonlite Drive-In Theatre for Barter’s use. “Food dinner and enjoy it while you’re watching?” City is excited to partner with Barter Theatre to bring live The restaurants have been encouraged by Abingdon’s productions back to Abingdon,” said Steve Smith, Food City tourism office to prepare menu offerings inspired by a sense of president and CEO. “We certainly understand the important role playfulness and creativity, Livingston says. “So, the restaurant that Barter plays on our local economy and we’re proud to be a Morgan’s, which is known for its cocktails, has come up with a long-time Barter season sponsor. I personally can’t wait to go to ‘Moonlite martini’ with a glowing LED ice-cube as an homage to the Moonlite Theatre to enjoy these very special productions.”
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July 2020 | bjournal.com 17 Aerial Photo of the Boone Dam construction, June 2020.
Boone Dam repairs on schedule for 2022 completion
by Scott Robertson
he Boone Dam repair project is proceeding on-time and Ton-budget, despite challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis in the first half of 2020. Tennessee Valley Authority Principal Sam Vinson PHOTOS COURTESY TVA Project Manager Sam Vinson told a semi-annual news conference the utility plans to meet its final deadline of July 2022, and is also points across the dam. on pace to meet shorter-term deadlines between now and then. “The second type of instrument (used for real-time measure- “COVID-19 has dominated the first two quarters of 2020 and for ments at the dam) is called an inclinometer, and as you can us it was no different, so early in March TVA and our construction imagine, it’s about inclined planes or shifts, so it would measure and engineering partners began preparing prevention plans,” any movement of the soil or rock that’s associated with the dam. Vinson said. “We put together multiple contingency plans to make Site restoration is due to start in May 2021, Vinson said. “That’s sure we keep the critical work at the dam progressing.” everything from putting the beach back to putting the public Following CDC guidelines, TVA has not had a case of COVID-19 restrooms back to taking out the infrastructure we have put in onsite. “Many of our work activities have changed a bit, but we and putting the top of the dam back. have not lost any time due to COVID-19,” Vinson said. “Not only “Once we have the site restoration – the crest restoration – have we not had a case, but we were able to maintain, and in some complete, we’ll turn the project over to dam safety for reservoir cases even increase, production on the repair project.” fluctuations next spring,” Vinson said. “They will do a series of That’s because the team has stuck to its original priorities, fluctuations within the normal operating guide curve.” Vinson said. “We stress every day the safety of the downstream In the meantime, the actual construction work continues public, the safety of the workers and the quality of the repair itself.” apace. Vinson said 154 of the planned 307 secants in the cutoff “We have a whole lot of safety checks and quality verification wall are in the ground with work underway on 53 more in stages checks that go into the work,” Vinson said. “As of Friday, we had from drilling to casting concrete. worked more than 1.5 million hours onsite without a lost-time As for the vegetation that’s been growing on the exposed incident.” lakebed, TVA is once again running mulching equipment over TVA uses a network of around 200 monitors to do real-time several hundred acres, as it has done in past years. This year, self-checks within the dam. “We use ‘real-time’ in this industry TVA is using herbicides on areas where mulching equipment a lot, but it’s literally on a 15-second recurring update. So, every cannot reach. Vinson said the two herbicides being used have 15 seconds, we know exactly what the pressure is at multiple both been registered for water use for more than 15 years.
18 bjournal.com | July 2020 Features
The Business Journal Q&A 2020 Tennessee 1st District U.S. Congressional candidates respond to Business Journal questionnaire
ith the retirement of Dr. Phil Roe from Congress, a field to make Tennessee great to Washington DC. DC needs a good Wof almost 20 candidates has qualified to run for the seat dose of Tennessee. Like Congressman Phil Roe, I have chaired of 1st District United States Representative from the state of the Joint Select Committee on veterans affairs for many years Tennessee. After weeks of campaigning, it has become apparent and currently serve on the Governor’s commission on armed through polling and campaign finance reports that Dr. Roe’s forces, veterans and their families. Like Senator Lamar Alex- successor will be one of six candidates: ander, I chair the Tennessee Health former Kingsport Mayor John Clark, and Welfare Committee at the state Tennessee State Senator Rusty Crowe, level. The institutional knowledge and former Johnson City Mayor Steve experience I have gained and the back Darden, pharmacist Diana Harshbarger, and forth with Washington DC, leading Tennessee State Representative David those efforts, will hopefully allow me Hawk, and Tennessee State Representa- to take the ball from Congressman Roe tive Timothy Hill. The Business Journal and quickly run with it. emailed the same ten questions to each of those six candidates’ campaigns, and Steve Darden: I seek to be our representatives from all six campaigns Congressman for a simple reason — to confirmed their intention to respond. make lives better for the people who By deadline, five of the candidates had live in the 12 counties within the 1st responded. Their answers follow. It Congressional District of Tennessee. If is The Business Journal’s hope that we are going to become more regionally publication of these responses will give united for economic development and you, the businesspeople of the region, job creation, we need an Ambassador a better idea of where the candidates like me with my skill set to tell the rest stand on business issues that have faced of the state, nation and world what we Congress this term, or are likely to come already know: Our District has incredi- up in the next. ble outdoors, fascinating history, great John Clark people and fewer problems than most What are your primary motivations areas in our country. Our Congressman for seeking election as the U.S. is an important component of our Representative for Tennessee’s 1st District? economic future; the question is whether we will turn to a typical bland career politician, or someone with zero experience, or to John Clark: I want to fight alongside President Trump to me — a candidate who combines small business ownership and rebuild our economy and stand against the liberal socialist ten years of success as a locally elected official? Democrats in Washington who are trying to take away our freedoms. My parents fled Communist Cuba to legally immigrate David Hawk: My primary motive to seek election as our next to America and I don’t want the kinds of socialist policies that U.S. Representative is to continue and extend the reach of the have ruined Cuba to destroy America. I want to fight to keep the good works that I have been able to accomplish as a Tennessee country we love for future generations. State Representative, by helping even more residents in Tennes- see’s 1 st Congressional District. Rusty Crowe: I have worked with four farm bureau presidents, from Joe Hawkins to Jeff Aiken and five governors from Ned Timothy Hill: I am running because I believe we need a fighter McWherter to Bill Lee; and with colleagues on the floor of the for our region’s conservative values including upholding the right Tennessee senate to put Tennessee on top. We are the envy of to life and our second amendment rights, supporting President the nation. I will take those values and principles I have used SEE CANDIDATES, 20
July 2020 | bjournal.com 19 Features
CANDIDATES, CONTINUED Hawk: My 20 years of small business experience and 18 years Trump’s efforts to continue to grow our economy, and working of state legislative experience have ably prepared me to “hit the for people to cut through the red tape of the federal bureaucracy. ground running” on day one of being elected as our 1st District Congressman. The experience of being a freshman Congressman, What issues of particular impact on Tennessee’s 1st although carrying with it a great honor, will be just like another district do you believe a freshman congressman will day at the office to me. My decade of work on Tennessee’s $40+ have the best chance to significantly address? billion budget gives me keen insight into how we should properly prioritize spending at a Federal level, as well. There will just be Clark: My first priority is going to be jobs and my votes in a couple more zeros on the end of our Federal budget document Washington will reflect that. I will vote at every opportunity for when I work on it. pro-growth, pro-jobs legislation. I will use my platform here in the district to bring together our economic development experts, Hill: I believe my voice as a conservative champion for Pres- job creators, educators, etc., to identify ident Trump’s agenda will advance opportunities to bring new businesses his mission to rebuild the strongest and jobs to our area. economy in American history and to protect our constitutional rights. Crowe: Rebooting the economy has to be on the front burner. I am the current Would you support selling off the recipient of the National Federation TVA? of Independent Business “Guardian of small Business award “ for having Clark: No. demonstrated a commitment to our economy and for promoting a stable and Crowe: No. The Tennessee Valley predictable environment for our Tennes- Authority has been the backbone of see small businesses. Small business raising the entire region it serves with is the backbone of our economy. The economical electrical power. This must UT Boyd report has made clear that be kept in the public control to continue the metropolitan areas of our state will to have the ongoing impact beyond see the major growth in our state with the power grid developing the regional the other urban and rural areas seeing economy. I look forward to strong much slower growth. I want to see our leadership from that board at the TVA East Tennessee cities and counties work with capable leadership like our own together like we did in developing our Dr. Brian Noland, ETSU President, can Tri Cities Aerospace Park project. I have Rusty Crowe provide as a member. worked for many years with federal and state economic development partners Darden: Selling off TVA is a bad to generate economic development for our region and have the idea for the Tennessee Valley and especially East Tennessee at background, knowledge and institutional experience to be very the present time. TVA has been vital to the Tennessee Valley successful for the first congressional district. over several decades, beginning in the Great Depression when floods ravaged the Tennessee Valley. Benefits and services Darden: A major component of the job is to provide constituent include reliability and affordability of electrical power, economic service. A freshman who understands the job as I do can hit the development, management of waterways and many, many more ground running. I’ll intervene to protect citizens / businesses services that extend beyond providing electrical power. from overreach by the government. Example: family farmers who are smothered by excessive federal regulations or overzealous Hawk: No. federal agents need relief so they can thrive rather than survive. Industry sometimes faces the same burden. We will continue Hill: I would not take such an irreversible, significant step Congressman Roe’s focus on veterans. It is crucial that we receive without serious study of the issue. our fair share of federal grants and programs. The Appalachian Regional Commission was established to assist our local com- Do you believe the COVID-related unemployment spike munities and I will maximize its impact in our District, working has made border security a more urgent issue to protect with our local Development Districts. I have been involved in American jobs? economic development and job creation for decades. Ronald Reagan said the best social program is a good job and I will work Clark: Border security has been an urgent issue for decades. The to bring more and better jobs to our area. southern border is porous and, while security has improved, it
20 bjournal.com | July 2020 is nowhere near what is necessary to help end the flow of illegal balancing the budget once – and proving it can be done – that drugs into the United States. That is the ultimate problem with will help set the tone to do it every year. Members of Congress the border – the ability of Mexican cartels to allow drugs to flow will need to make tough decisions, and everyone will have to give into the country that devastate our communities, including here a little in order to come to a balanced budget agreement. I do in East Tennessee. not support cutting Social Security or veterans benefits in order to balance the budget. These are promises made to our seniors Crowe: Border security is essential. Coming to America, being and our military members and we can’t turn our backs on those a U.S. Citizen, comes with the greatest benefits and safeguards promises. are still critically important for our national security. COVID is a new experience for all of us. We have to work to reopen and Crowe: As a Tennessee State Senator, I have been a part of reenergize the economy but continue to adapt to the impact the efforts in this state to control our fiscal solvency. We are in this era. I believe we will have to create more jobs. But I No.1 in fiscal management and Reducing debt and the burden also think it is vital to restore American based manufacturing on future generations is vital. We are the envy of the nation. of products we have lost to other countries so we are not faced We have responsibilities to the people we must uphold and with the challenges we have seen. Essential business and man- Social Security is one of those. Across the board adjustments ufacturing will have to include essential to cut taxes and tighten government products MADE IN THE USA. spending must be accomplished in a methodical manner and with sensible Darden: Border security is a crucial change. I will also support a balanced national security and economic issue budget amendment. on its own, without regard to COVID. Sound immigration policy starts with Darden: The best way to reduce our zero tolerance for trespassers who enter national debt, which has accumulated our country unlawfully but also must over many years now, and our annual provide a well-regulated process for deficit, which adds to the national debt individuals to seek approved status and annually is to have a robust economy merit-based paths to citizenship in a with as many taxpayers as possible. lawful manner. When the brightest and Rather than wait for a crisis, we must best of other countries seek to come here reduce entitlements and consider to create jobs and seek the American out-of-the-box thinking to shrink the dream, we should encourage it. The U.S. size and costs of the federal govern- Congress has failed to deal with immi- ment. For example, the Department gration issues for decades now and we of Education became a cabinet level are confronted with the consequences of agency during the Carter Administra- such inactivity. Congress should resolve tion in 1979. Its unfunded mandates the DACA issue once and for all, so that tend to be a burden on local education “DACA kids” who have behaved properly Steve Darden when we would be better off if educa- and been productive are allowed to tion were addressed by state and local remain here. officials. President Trump was correct in insisting that our NATO partners pay their fair share. All Hawk: Border security is an urgent issue, period. It must be spending, including defense spending, must always be carefully better addressed for national security reasons, not necessarily evaluated to make sure that it is not excessive. Our national debt jobs. COVID-19 has just brought greater focus to the issue. is a threat to our future prosperity.
Hill: Border security has been and still is an urgent issue and Hawk: We simply must stop spending more taxpayer dollars it’s shameful that politicians have refused to fix the problem and than we receive. When I get to Washington, I will be in favor of build the wall. When I’m elected, I’ll support President Trump’s working with Congressional leadership to open discussions on plans to build the wall and crack down on illegal immigration. every entitlement program, in order to weigh the pros and cons of each. If a program no longer makes sense or has a negative What are the best ways to pay down the ballooning effect, it should be cut. This is where I will begin to address our deficit? Would you be in favor of removing the maxi- $25 trillion deficit. mum taxable earnings level or making other changes to Social Security, instituting across the board federal Hill: I will oppose any cuts to Social Security, my pledge to our spending cuts – including entitlements and defense, seniors is a promise made is a promise kept. I would propose raising taxes or making other politically unpopular auditing federal spending to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the decisions? bureaucracy.
Clark: We absolutely must balance the budget. I think that by SEE CANDIDATES, 22
July 2020 | bjournal.com 21 Features Build the Home of Your Dreams CANDIDATES, CONTINUED thanks to their lies and obfuscation. They must be held account- Build the Home of Your Dreams able for that not only by the United States but by all of the world’s Should the federal government mandate that more nations. critical medical products and supplies be produced domestically, even if it means interfering in free mar- Crowe: Simply both are important. We always want to kets and paying more? maintain gains. Trade should be stable for the needs of our national economy. Our need to manufacture at home for our Clark: The pandemic has shown us that we cannot rely on own protection will have an impact. COVID is an international China for critical medical and national matter that requires the truth and security supplies. Those supply chains proper safeguards. Border security must be brought home. I was the first has a health aspect now more than candidate to call for this and I have ever in protecting our citizens. pledged to support Senator Cotton and Ultimately, we need to know the truth Rep. Gallagher’s legislation that would and respond accordingly. China needs bring these critical supply chains back to to be held accountable. America. Darden: Responding to the question, Crowe: Protecting our citizens is one trade and the COVID-19 crisis are sep- of the most honored responsibilities of arate issues. There have been winners government. Access to medical products and losers in the trade war with China. made here is vital, as we have seen most How Chinese affairs are managed is recently. The markets will adjust as we one of the most important issues for have seen. But healthcare is a national the future of both nations and thus the security issue now more than ever before world, and we must insist on good faith and self-sufficiency rises to the top of the dealing by China and openness so that concerns for that protection. events like COVID-19 do not occur in the future. We also must be firm in our Construction-to-Perm Loan* Darden: The COVID-19 crisis has insistence that China respects the basic Construction-to-Perm Loan* demonstrated that there are certain human rights of those in its sphere and products and supplies that must be David Hawk that it cease its military buildup on ar- produced domestically and yes, such tificial islands in the South China Sea. production must be restored to the It would be a gross oversimplification ONE TIME CLOSE! U.S.A. I reject the notion that doing so would “interfere” in to suggest that relations with China are a mere “either or” choice ONE TIME CLOSE! free markets or result in higher costs, especially if competition between trade and holding China accountable for COVID. is present among domestic manufacturers, producers and suppliers. But, if the costs go up to insure that supplies are not Hawk: Maintaining the gains realized in the trade war with Up to 100% Loan-to-Value interrupted and proper care is provided, then it is a cost worth China. Up to 100% Loan-to-Value absorbing. for Qualifying Primary Residence Loans.** Hill: They are both rooted in the same fundamental problem, for Qualifying Primary Residence Loans.** Hawk: Forced or mandated production on business by the which is that China is led by a regime which does not act in good federal government is not advisable. I do support open conver- faith. They have repeatedly covered up critical facts and whether sations between the public and private sectors, to encourage its technology theft or covering up COVID, it has harmed partnerships that make sense to both business and government. Americans health and pocketbooks. Hopefully, these conversations would create an opportunity to develop reasonably priced domestic products, if and as needed. Do you favor coal industry subsidies?
Hill: Medical supplies are an essential part of our national Clark: Generally speaking, I do not favor government subsidies security and I do not believe it’s safe to rely on an untrustworthy of industries. I do support trying to find a way to protect the actor like China when it comes to our security. pension funds of retired coal miners whose retirement income is Bank your own way. at risk due to the bankruptcy of coal companies and the decline Bank your own way. Which is more important – maintaining the gains of the industry. Kathy Fields David Oiler Vic Feathers Sonya Ford realized in the trade war with China – or – holding Kathy Fields David Oiler Vic Feathers Sonya Ford (423) 989-4426 (423) 547-2062 (423) 610-3020 (865) 824-5735 China accountable for COVID? Crowe: Coal is vital still to our region. It has a role going (423) 989-4426 (423) 547-2062 (423) 610-3020 (865) 824-5735 forward and the need for options on energy resources is an issue Bristol Elizabethton Johnson City Lenoir City, Knoxville Bristol Elizabethton Johnson City Lenoir City, Knoxville Clark: I don’t believe these are mutually exclusive. China has of economy and security. Yes, I am for continuing subsidies. Kingsport & LaFollette unleashed a pandemic on the world that has been made worse SEE CANDIDATES, 24 Kingsport & LaFollette * All loans subject to credit approval. Loans must be secured by a 1-4 single family dwelling. Terms are subject to change. **Maximum* All loans subject of 80% to funded credit duringapproval. the Loansconstruction must be period. secured Balance by a 1-4 to singlebe funded family to dwelling.borrower upon Terms conversion are subject to topermanent change. financing. 22 bjournal.com | July 2020 **Maximum Maximum LTVof 80% will fundedbe based during on loan the amountconstruction requested. period. Balance to be funded to borrower upon conversion to permanent financing. Maximum LTV will be based on loan amount requested. Build the Home of Your Dreams
Construction-to-Perm Loan* ONE TIME CLOSE! Up to 100% Loan-to-Value for Qualifying Primary Residence Loans.** for Qualifying Primary Residence Loans.**
Bank your own way. Kathy Fields David Oiler Vic Feathers Sonya Ford Kathy Fields David Oiler Vic Feathers Sonya Ford (423) 989-4426 (423) 547-2062 (423) 610-3020 (865) 824-5735 (423) 989-4426 (423) 547-2062 (423) 610-3020 (865) 824-5735 Bristol Elizabethton Johnson City Lenoir City, Knoxville Bristol Elizabethton Johnson City Lenoir City, Knoxville Kingsport & LaFollette Kingsport & LaFollette * All loans subject to credit approval. Loans must be secured by a 1-4 single family dwelling. Terms are subject to change. **Maximum* All loans subject of 80% to funded credit duringapproval. the Loansconstruction must be period. secured Balance by a 1-4 to singlebe funded family to dwelling.borrower upon Terms conversion are subject to topermanent change. financing. **Maximum Maximum LTVof 80% will fundedbe based during on loan the amountconstruction requested. period. Balance to be funded to borrower upon conversion to permanentJuly 2020 |financin bjournal.comg. 23 Maximum LTV will be based on loan amount requested. Features
CANDIDATES, CONTINUED
Darden: I do not favor coal industry subsidies. Hill: I believe federal interference in private industry is rarely warranted and I have not seen sufficient reason to interfere in Hawk: I will initially support these subsidies, but my belief is this industry. that every individual and every business should work toward self-sufficiency. Would you support regional economic development by proposing changes at the Office of Management and Hill: I generally do not support subsidizing any industries. Budget that would allow the Johnson City and King- In the case of coal, it is essential that we continue to roll back sport-Bristol MSAs to reunite? the onerous regulations that the EPA imposed during Barack Obama’s presidency. Clark: I am strongly in favor of regional economic development efforts, especially for a region that is so integrated like the Should big tech companies be Tri-Cities area. This is why I made broken up? If so, how do you the commitment to add an economic square that with the need for less development staff member to my government regulation of private Congressional district office staff, so business? that I can help facilitate these kinds of regional economic development efforts. Clark: I am not in favor of government I would support joining the MSA breaking up private companies or regions to allow greater federal funding additional government regulation of to our area. private companies. I do believe that there should be consequences for tech Crowe: The merged MSA’s makes companies when their platforms are good sense and yes, I would support misused or abused. this effort. As a market among the largest, we get more attention for site Crowe: Big tech companies must play by selection in retail and are seen as a the rules that are set for business. Com- place of desirable size with amenities petition in this space is better than for businesses to grow. Our regional monopolies. Add in the privacy issues and strength is diminished in its current communications standards, the big tech OMB view. companies have brought a new dimension to society. Thoughtful management of the Darden: The Johnson City and issues on all parts is necessary. Kingsport-Bristol MSAs were unified Timothy Hill until a few years ago. It would enhance Darden: I’m reluctant to support the regional economic development and break-up of big tech companies unless regional cooperation for the entire their practices are so predatory and anti-competitive that an- Tri-Cities region to be under the same MSA. If our local econom- ti-trust laws are violated or others cannot enter the market. There ic development professionals and government partners agree is precedent, however, for single businesses to have become that a single MSA is in the best interest of the business commu- so dominant that they were broken up. (See Teddy Roosevelt) nity and citizens of our area, then I will be a strong advocate for Great care must be taken when dealing with tech companies that such a measure with the Office of Management and Budget. First Amendment rights are not violated. The First Amendment was placed first by the Founders because of its paramount Hawk: Regional economic development needs to include the importance. They were fierce advocates of freedom of speech, whole region. I would like to see partnerships created within and freedom of religion, and freedom of expression / conscience, among all 12 Tennessee counties in the 1st District. We need to and I will be too. Big tech plays a huge role in American life and look more closely at potential synergies that could be accom- must act responsibly. But these are private sector businesses, and plished in the field of education, as well as in economic and retail regulation aimed at holding big tech accountable must preserve development. First Amendment liberties. Hill: Yes, I will support this effort and continue Congressman Hawk: No. Roe’s campaign to make this change.
24 bjournal.com | July 2020 News Briefs
NETTA announces 2020 Pinnacle Award winners Advertising and Promotions: Long Video The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association has announced We’re Going on a Farm Tour! the 2020 winners of the Pinnacle Awards. Festival or Event of the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council Year honors went to the Meet the Mountains Festival promoted by the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership and Advertising and Promotions: Long Video Tell It To Me: The Johnson City Sessions 90th Anniversary Cele- Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2019 Recap bration, promoted by the ETSU Center for Appalachian Studies. Birthplace of Country Music Leah Ross was honored as Tourism Professional of the Year and Logan McCabe received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other Advertising and Promotions: Short Video honorees included: Ken Burns on the Birthplace of Country Music Museum Birthplace of Country Music Best New Event Long Trip Home Community Play Advertising and Promotions: Social Media Campaign McKinney Center Shop Small Social Media Campaign Main Street Jonesborough Best Sports Event Tennessee Big Shots Benefiting Niswonger Children’s Hospital Partnership Award Visit Kingsport General Morgan Inn and Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Attraction of the Year Adventure Tourism Award Dickson-Williams Mansion Rob Cole
Hands On! Discovery Center Rising Star Award Jenna Moore Best Marketing Campaign Sharkation 2019 featuring Sammy the Shark Volunteer of the Year Greene County Partnership Tourism Cristy Dunn
Long Island Iced Tea Hospitality Leader of the Year Visit Kingsport Steve Bales
Best Public Relations Campaign 2nd Annual High Tops to High Heels Lee extends State of Emergency in Greene County Partnership Sports Council Tennessee, allows digital public meetings to continue Round Three of the Long Island Iced Tea Battle Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed Visit Kingsport an executive order (No. 50) to extend the State of Emergency related to the ongoing Advertising and Promotions: Brochure or Guide COVID-19 pandemic to August 29, 2020. Find Your Farmers Market Map The June 29 executive order allows the con- Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council Bill Lee tinued suspension of various laws and reg- ulations and other measures in these orders Visit Kingsport Visitors Guide to facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19 through regulatory flexibility, promoting social distancing and avoidance Advertising and Promotions: Rack Card of large gatherings, and protecting vulnerable populations. Gov. Lyrics on the Lawn Lee also signed Executive Order Nos. 51 and 52, which extend Main Street Greeneville provisions that allow for electronic government meetings subject to transparency safeguards and remote notarization and witness- Advertising and Promotions: Print ing of documents, respectively, to August 29, 2020. Johnson City Sessions Poster Visit Johnson City Harding named chairman-elect of Virginia Bankers Association Advertising and Promotions: TV Commercial Leton Harding, chairman, president and CEO of Powell Valley Rewind in Time National Bank, was named Chairman-Elect of the Virginia Bankers Main Street Jonesborough SEE DEPARTMENTS, 26
July 2020 | bjournal.com 25 News Briefs
Association at the association’s June 23 as vice president, executive director of the Community Bank annual meeting. As chairman-elect, he is Council, and manager of grassroots legislative programs, VBA slated to become the association’s chairman Benefits Corporation and the Young Bankers Section. in June 2021. “Anything the association can do to help Sync Space Accelerator Program announces first class for its member banks help consumers through startup accelerator programs the COVID-19 crisis is the No. 1 priority,” Sync Space Entrepreneur Center in Kingsport announced June Harding said. “There is also an ongoing 29 their accepted applicants for two accelerator programs that help interest on the part of the association to Leton Harding startup companies grow their business in Northeast Tennessee. see what we can do to support businesses The companies accepted into the SIGNATURE program include: and others as they try to find ways to move past some of the • Hope To Walk, a Bristol based non-profit prosthetics compa- racial issues that have divided us. We need more diversity in the ny that currently delivers prosthetics to more than 13 countries industry, to be honest. I think that’s an important thing to (2020 around the world and is looking to Sync Space and the region chairman) John (Asbury) and to all of us. to scale manufacturing and build training programs to meet the “The other aspect, again, as more and more consumers turn to international demand for their products. technology, and understandably so, we are spending more time • Incredimed, a Johnson City healthcare startup whose educating the public about the benefits and risks of that. The final software application securely delivers the physician prescribed component – and I’m also on the VBA Education Foundation – is care plan to a patient during rehabilitation. financial literacy. We have established programs in the school • Qaudian, a Knoxville-based company whose artificial systems, but we need to continue to broaden that out beyond certain intelligence technology improves the speed and accuracy of heart segments to embrace entire communities with financial literacy.” disease diagnosis. In addition to his work for Powell Valley Bank and before that, • VenoStent, a Nashville based startup working in cardiovascu- First Bank & Trust Co., Harding’s experience includes a stint as lar medical devices that utilize bioresorbable smart polymers to a VBA employee. Previously, he worked for the Virginia Bankers transform vascular surgery. Association from 1986-1993, serving bank members in roles such
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July 2020 | bjournal.com 27 The Last Word
America’s Energy Future
by Morgan Griffith
nergy production in policy need to be made while taking the global situation into Ethe United States had account. More demand for renewable sources in the domestic soared to new heights in energy market does not mean that foreign countries, in particu- recent years. Unfortu- lar rising economies, are in the market for the same sources. nately, while vast swathes China and India, the two most populous countries in the of the economy were world, still use fossil fuels such as coal as they grow. In fact, devastated by the impact according to a June 9 article in E&E News, an industry trade of the coronavirus, few publication, China permitted more new coal-fired power plants have been hit as hard as in March of this year than it did throughout all of last year. the energy sector. The United States can continue to supply these fuels to Consumption of energy them, and we can do so with less impact on the environment plummeted as businesses than other suppliers. Developing technologies such as closed their doors and stay carbon capture to sell to countries burning fossil fuels will at home orders kept cars help them with environmental protection and create jobs off the roads and planes on here at the same time. the ground. This month, American energy technology remains in demand abroad. The the U.S. Energy Informa- first foreign leader to visit President Trump at the White House tion Administration projected a 5.7 percent drop in electricity since the coronavirus outbreak occurred will be the President demand for 2020 compared to 2019. of Poland. He said at a news conference that one topic he wants Further, Russia and Saudi Arabia opportunistically used to discuss at the meeting is cooperation on civilian nuclear the crisis to engage in an oil price war, putting an additional energy projects. When foreign countries are in the market for squeeze on American oil producers. energy, we should encourage them to buy American. The overall effect on jobs in the energy sector was sharp. As for the domestic energy market, demand can be invigorat- Locally, although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ed by smart regulation that does not suppress economic growth. identified mining as an essential industry that should be A bill I have introduced would streamline the New Source kept open, reduced demand still forced some coal mines to Review permitting program, which currently discourages be idled and their miners furloughed. This outcome was a manufacturers and other large facilities from making terrible hardship on the families that depend on these jobs. upgrades that would render them more productive and, Those families felt the repercussions most directly, but they ironically, cleaner. Broadly applying this approach will will not be the only ones hit. Lost jobs or cut hours also reduce encourage economic growth and the rise in energy demand the amount of money going into the economy. Idled mines, that usually follows. closed oil wells, and paused construction of solar installations It is also important for the domestic market to have a diminish the demand for equipment used in energy produc- diverse mix of fuels available. Having an array of fuel alterna- tion. Governments at all levels see reduced tax revenue. tives builds the resiliency of the power grid and contributes to Now for the good news: as the economy reopens, energy lower energy bills. demand is likely to rise again. Smart policy decisions can Under the Trump Administration, an “energy dominance” make the resurgence more beneficial for jobs and the U.S. agenda has allowed the domestic energy industry to flourish, economy more broadly. innovate, and support the economy. Although the coronavirus As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Com- inflicted great pain on this sector, our country still possesses mittee’s Subcommittee on Energy, I participated in a June 16 the resources and talent that gave it such strength. I believe hearing on the coronavirus’ impact on energy jobs. I used my we can return to and even surpass those earlier heights if we time to highlight some essential facts about the state of the act wisely now. sector and recovery. Morgan Griffith is the United States Congressman I have long believed that decisions regarding U.S. energy representing the 9th District of Virginia.
28 bjournal.com | |July July 2020 2020 PROFILES IN BUSINESS
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July 2020 | bjournal.com 29 INNOVATION. THEN. NOW. NEXT.
Office at 1185 State of Franklin Road in Johnson City. For a complete list of offices, visit firstbank.com/about/locations-and-hours. From its beginning 100 years ago, Eastman has grown to be a First Bank & Trust Company planted its roots in Russell leader in the specialty materials industry. Our cutting-edge County, Virginia in 1979. What began as a privately products enhance the lives of people around the world and still held, single-location operation with one million dollars in capital, quickly grew into a well-respected financial bear the name of the man who started it all — George Eastman. institution supported by customers and shareholders in the local community. We are honored to call Kingsport home. Here’s to 100 more! The Bank expanded quickly into new communities along the I-81 corridor, including Johnson City and Kingsport. Today, we proudly serve Northeast Tennessee with four full-service offices and Virginia with 19 full-service and six loan production offices. In addition to our various convenient locations, we are committed to Our Top Business Solutions GEORGE EASTMAN AND TENNESSEE EASTMAN OPERATIONS CIRCA 1920 leveraging and developing new Business Online Banking and Bill Pay - Avoid late fees with technologies to provide our business automatic and recurring bill payments. Enrolling and setup is quick customers with real-time access to and easy. benefits and services whenever and Remote Deposit First Teller - Avoid making multiple trips to the bank wherever they are needed. First Bank & with Remote Deposit First Teller. Make deposits from the Trust also offers comprehensive convenience of your business. lending solutions and has a team ready to offer deposit solutions to maximize Cash Management Services - Collect and send payments cash flow, increase efficiency and electronically, stop payments, wire transfer, account reconciliation services and other cash management services tailored to meet the profitability, therefore eliminating specific needs of your business. burdens that take away the focus of many business owners from their Payroll, HR and Employee Benefit Administration- As a business bottom line. owner, HR responsibilities shouldn’t consume your time. First Bank & Trust Company is focused on saving you time and money, so we have Other institutions have moved in and partnered with Paychex to provide you an affordable and reliable out of this region we call home, but we solution for outsourcing payroll. remain devoted to the communities Credit Card Processing Services - Offering a variety of options to and customers we serve for easily accept major credit and check cards payments from your generations to come. customers and manage your business from anywhere.
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30 bjournal.com | July 2020 INNOVATION. THEN. NOW. NEXT.
From its beginning 100 years ago, Eastman has grown to be a leader in the specialty materials industry. Our cutting-edge products enhance the lives of people around the world and still bear the name of the man who started it all — George Eastman.
We are honored to call Kingsport home. Here’s to 100 more!
GEORGE EASTMAN AND TENNESSEE EASTMAN OPERATIONS CIRCA 1920
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EQUAL HOUSING We are grateful to have been part of the East Tennessee community since 1934. Our priority, both then and now, has OPPORTUNITY NMLS 167911. EQUAL HOUSING Some restrictions OPPORTUNITY may apply. NMLS Available 167911. to qualifying Members. Ask for details. Message and data rates may apply from your wireless carrier. always been our Members. We’re here to equip you with the tools and resources you need to manage your money in a way Some1 Credit restrictions Score available may forapply. primary Available account to qualifying holder only. Members. Ask for details. Message and data rates may apply from your wireless carrier. that works for you. Thanks for letting us be part of your financial journey. To learn more about Knoxville TVA Employees 21 AmazonCredit Score is a Registered available for Trademark primary account of Amazon holder Technologies, only. INC. The Credit Union assumes no liability or responsibility for Voice Banking 2 Amazon is a Registered Trademark of Amazon Technologies, INC. The Credit Union assumes no liability or responsibility for Voice Banking 32 bjournal.com | July 2020 errors or inconveniences. Credit Union, including how to join our Credit Union Family, visit us online at tvacreditunion.com. errors or inconveniences. It’s important to have flexibility, especially when it comes to your finances. We make it It’sIt’s importantimportant toto havehave flexibility,flexibility, especiallyespecially whenwhen itit comescomes toto youryour finances.finances. WeWe makemake itit easy to manage your money, no matter what way you prefer to bank! easyeasy toto managemanage youryour money,money, nono mattermatter whatwhat wayway youyou preferprefer toto bank!bank! It’s important to have flexibility, especially when it comes to your finances. We make it easyIN-PERSON to manage your money, no matter what way MOBILEyou prefer to bank! It’sIN-PERSONIN-PERSON hard to beat a good ole’ brick and mortar building. It’s why YouMOBILEMOBILE can manage your money from virtually anywhere when you We get it. There are a million things competing for your attention, so you need a financial It’sIt’s hard hard to to beat beat a a good good ole’ ole’ brick brick and and mortar mortar building. building. It’s It’s why why YouYou can can manage manage your your money money from from virtually virtually anywhere anywhere when when you you we offer 20+ locations throughout East Tennessee. Sometimes, download the KTVAECU mobile app! It keeps you current and wewe offer offer 20+ 20+ locations locations throughoutthroughout EastEast Tennessee.Tennessee. Sometimes,Sometimes, downloaddownload the the KTVAECU KTVAECU mobile mobile app! app! It It keeps keeps you you current current and and partner that keeps it simple and straightforward. At Knoxville TVA Employees Credit youIN-PERSON just need a person to help you with a transaction. Our staff MOBILEin-charge of your finances. It’s one of the securest ways to youyou just just need need a a person person to to help help you you with with a a transaction. transaction. OurOur staffstaff in-chargein-charge of of your your finances. finances. It’s It’s one one of of the the securest securest ways ways to to is alwaysIt’s hard happy to beat to a help!good ole’ brick and mortar building. It’s why Youbank, can manageAND it comesyour money with fromall sorts virtually of cool anywhere features! when you Union, we’re committed to helping our Members succeed financially. Just like no two isis alwayswe always offer happy happy20+ locations to to help! help! throughout East Tennessee. 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With a checking takes for you to see what’s available in your account. LOCALLY BASED NeverNeverAuto miss miss Bill a a Payrent rent or or utility utility paymentpayment again.again. WithWith a a checkingchecking yourtakestakes account for for you you balances to to see see with what’s what’s Quick available available Balance! in in Oneyour your swipe account. account. is all it account, you can use Bill Pay for those regular, monthly account,account,Never miss you you acan can rent use use or Billutility Bill Pay Pay paymentfor for those those again. regular, regular, With monthly monthlya checking takes for you to see what’s available in your account. We’ve been local to East Tennessee since 1934. We live, worship, and raise our expenses to individuals or businesses. 2 account, you can use Bill Pay for those regular, monthly VOICE families in the same communities as you…so we get you! expensesexpenses to to individuals individuals or or businesses. businesses. VOICEVOICE22 Real-Timeexpenses to Money individuals Management or businesses. The future2 is here. Now, your Amazon® Alexa device can do Real-TimeReal-Time Money Money Management Management VOICETheThe future future is is here. here. 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Now, Now, you you don’t don’t have have to to make make a a special special trip trip to to accessaccess all all your your Knoxville Knoxville TVA TVA Employees Employees Credit Credit Union Union account account performcomputer! everyday Now, youtransactions. don’t have to make a special trip to accessinformation all your Knoxville without TVAhaving Employees to interrupt Credit your Union life! account It’s easy to performperform everyday everyday transactions. transactions. informationinformation withoutwithout havinghaving toto interrupt interrupt youryour life! life! It’s It’s easyeasy toto area schools, supporting local teams, and volunteering at other community events. perform everyday transactions. informationcheck your withoutbalance having or transfer to interrupt money your all life!by voice It’s easy command. to checkcheck your your balance balance or or transfer transfer money money all all by by voice voice command. command. checkJust your say, balance“Alexa, oropen transfer TVA moneyCredit Union.”all by voice command. JustJustJust say, say, say, “Alexa, “Alexa, “Alexa, open open open TVA TVA TVACredit Credit Credit Union.” Union.” Union.” SUPERIOR MEMBER SERVICE When you choose a Credit Union you’re a Member, not a customer. We care about We’ve also made it easy to get in touch with us if you ever have any questions. You can always: you and what’s in your best financial interest, not just the bottom line. 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EQUALEQUAL HOUSING HOUSING NMLS 167911. We are grateful to have been part of the East Tennessee community since 1934. Our priority, both then and now, has OPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITY NMLS 167911. EQUALEQUAL HOUSING HOUSING Some Some restrictions restrictions OPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITY may may apply. NMLSapply. NMLS Available Available167911. 167911. toto qualifyingqualifying Members. AskAsk for for details.details. MessageMessage and and data data rates rates may mayapply apply from from your yourwireless wireless carrier. carrier. always been our Members. We’re here to equip you with the tools and resources you need to manage your money in a way 1 Some1 SomeCredit Credit restrictions restrictions Score Score available available maymay for apply. apply.for primary primary AvailableAvailable account account to to qualifying qualifying holderholder only. Members.Members. AskAsk for for details.details. MessageMessage andand datadata rates rates maymay applyapply from from youryour wirelesswireless carrier.carrier. 2 that works for you. Thanks for letting us be part of your financial journey. To learn more about Knoxville TVA Employees 21 1AmazonCredit CreditAmazon Score Score is ais Registered availablea available Registered for forTrademark Trademarkprimary primary account ofaccount of Amazon Amazon holder holder Technologies, only. only. INC. INC. The The Credit Credit Union Union assumes assumes no noliability liability or responsibility or responsibility for Voice for Voice Banking Banking 2 2Amazon Amazonerrors or is is inconveniences.a a Registered Registered Trademark Trademark of of Amazon Amazon Technologies, Technologies, INC. INC. The The Credit Credit Union Union assumes assumes no no liability liability or or responsibility responsibility for for Voice Voice Banking Banking errors or inconveniences. July 2020 | bjournal.com 33 Credit Union, including how to join our Credit Union Family, visit us online at tvacreditunion.com. errorserrors or or inconveniences. inconveniences. We would like to welcome Lauren C. Rushing, MD, Medical Retina Specialist, August 2020
Left to right: James Battle, MD, Amy Young, MD, Randal Rabon, MD, Joshua Busscher, MD, Michael Shahbazi, MD, Lauren. C. Rushing, MD, Jeff Carlsen, MD, Peter Lemkin, OD, Jennifer Oakley, MD, John Johnson, MD, Alan McCartt, MD A Legacy of Eye Care Excellence Since 1942 hile the name and physicians have changed through the years fellowship trained cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, he is Wand facilities have expanded, improved, and relocated, the the Medical Director of The Med Spa at Johnson City Eye Clinic. Johnson City Eye Clinic has remained steadfast in its mission to James Battle III, MD, is a board certified and fellowship From left: Seth Belcher, John Hefty, Bob Hefty, provide personalized attention, outstanding service, and unpar- trained ophthalmologist specializing in the medical and surgical Brandon Burleson and David Brown alleled comprehensive eye care to five generations in upper East treatment of glaucoma. He is especially interested in cataract and Tennessee and beyond. Founded by Dr. Thomas minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. McKee in 1942, the Johnson City Eye Clinic has Laser Assisted Refractive and Jennifer Oakley, MD, practices compre- grown to well over 100 eye health care profession- Cataract Surgeries hensive ophthalmology with a special interest in Mortgage lender offers large variety of loans Age Related Macular als dedicated to serving the community. Degeneration minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. Board John Johnson, MD, is a board-certified Glaucoma-Surgical and certified and glaucoma fellowship trained, she also Mortgage Investors Group (MIG) is the largest independent David Brown has worked in various forms of lending since ophthalmologist and is fellowship trained in Medical Management offers a variety of cataract and refractive surgeries. provider of single-family residential mortgages in the state of 2004, ranging from consumer finance to commercial lending. Medical and Laser Treatment of vitreoretinal diseases and surgeries. Dr. Johnson Diabetic Eye Disease Joshua J. Busscher, MD, joined the Tennessee and Bob Hefty, Branch Manager and Senior Loan He has a passion for helping people achieve homeownership has a particular interest and extensive experience Minimally Invasive Glaucoma practice after completing a Cornea Fellowship at Officer, has added new team members to his Tri-Cities group. and enjoys working with individuals and families to build wealth in the treatment of neovascular or “wet” macular Surgeries (MIGS) Emory University, Atlanta, GA. He specializes Hefty said, “We’ve added four new loan officers to better serve through real estate. Corneal Disease and Surgery degeneration. Pediatric Ophthalmology in an array of cornea treatments and surgery op- our growing market, David Brown, John Hefty, Seth Belcher, and Seth Belcher has been in lending for six years and is from the Alan McCartt, MD, is board-certified and Adult and Pediatric tions which surpass all that have been previously Brandon Burleson. Sneedville, TN area. In his free time he enjoys working out, golfing practices general ophthalmology with a special Strabismus available in our region. Bob is equipped with a Finance and Economics Degree, 5 and spending time with family and friends. He has a passion for Neuro-Ophthalmology interest in advanced cataract and corneal surgical Treatment of Retina and We are very pleased to have Dr. Lauren C. years as an Army Finance Officer, 11 years with a Fortune 500 lending and helping families find the home of their dreams. procedures. Vitreous Disorders Rushing join the team of comprehensive oph- company and has consistently been a top 20 producer with MIG Bob has personally trained and continues to mentor his highly Michael Shahbazi, MD, is a board certified Blepharoplasty thalmologists at Johnson City Eye Clinic where for the past 19 years. He specializes in VA loans and is passion- qualified and diversified team saying, “We are prepared and eager to (lid and brow lifts) and fellowship trained ophthalmologist with a Full Service Physician she will specialize in treating a wide array of retina ate about helping fellow Veterans become homeowners. educate and service the Tri-Cities Realtors and potential home owners.” special interest in medical and surgical treat- Supervised Medical Spa and vitreous disorders. Dr. Rushing grew up in Brandon Burleson is a native of Johnson City who took the MIG has been in Johnson City for over 24 years and provides ments of glaucoma. Tomball, Texas, a suburb of Houston. She received Mortgage Industry by storm early last year. Brandon has been ex- mortgage programs for purchases & refinances specific to the Amy Young, MD, practices comprehensive, board-certified her MD from the University of Texas Medical School where she also tremely successful helping the tri-cities area with Mortgage and customer’s needs that include – Conventional – FHA – VA – ophthalmology with a special interest in the treatment of diabetic completed her internship. Upon completion of an ophthalmology Refinance needs. With over 20 years in Management experience THDA – Rural Development and Jumbo loans. In addition to patients. residency at the University of North Carolina, she is finishing a and a drive to be successful have led Brandon to be one of the offering competitive rates and a diversified line of residential Randal Rabon, MD, a board certified, comprehensive Medical Retina Fellowship at the University of Michigan. most driven Mortgage Consultants in East Tennessee. mortgage products, MIG houses on-site underwriting, processing ophthalmologist with a special interest in advanced laser assisted Using the most technologically advanced equipment and newest “John Hefty is new in the Mortgage Industry but has over and appraisal services, and employs state-of-the-art technology to cataract and refractive procedures. surgical methods, our experienced physicians and well-trained 30 years of Management experience in supply chain and dis- ensure a swift and professional home buying experience. Jeff Carlsen, MD, is a fellowship trained pediatric ophthalmol- staff are committed to providing the most complete array of eye tribution. He decided to make a career move to MIG. John is Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial ogist specializing in pediatric and adult strabismus surgeries. Also, a care services in the region. dedicated to customer service and helping new clients, especially decisions one will ever make. Bob and his team are committed to Veterans. He served for eight years in the U.S. Air-Force.” making the experience as smooth and pleasurable as possible.
CONTACT INFO: TOP EXECUTIVE: DATE FOUNDED: JOHNSON CITY KINGSPORT DATE FOUNDED: Johnson City | Bristol Travis Dingus, CEO 1942 508 Princeton Rd, Suite 201 1825 N. Eastman Rd. Suite 3 1989 (423) 929-2111 NUMBER OF Johnson City, TN 37601 Kingsport, TN 37664 NUMBER OF johnsoncityeye.com EMPLOYEES: 423-283-4702 423-765-2211 EMPLOYEES: (423) 926-2200 100+ The Med Spa @ migonline.com migonline.com Johnson City Eye Clinic 400 cosmeticlaserskincarejc.com
34 bjournal.com | July 2020 We would like to welcome Lauren C. Rushing, MD, Medical Retina Specialist, August 2020
Left to right: James Battle, MD, Amy Young, MD, Randal Rabon, MD, Joshua Busscher, MD, Michael Shahbazi, MD, Lauren. C. Rushing, MD, Jeff Carlsen, MD, Peter Lemkin, OD, Jennifer Oakley, MD, John Johnson, MD, Alan McCartt, MD A Legacy of Eye Care Excellence Since 1942 hile the name and physicians have changed through the years fellowship trained cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, he is Wand facilities have expanded, improved, and relocated, the the Medical Director of The Med Spa at Johnson City Eye Clinic. Johnson City Eye Clinic has remained steadfast in its mission to James Battle III, MD, is a board certified and fellowship From left: Seth Belcher, John Hefty, Bob Hefty, provide personalized attention, outstanding service, and unpar- trained ophthalmologist specializing in the medical and surgical Brandon Burleson and David Brown alleled comprehensive eye care to five generations in upper East treatment of glaucoma. He is especially interested in cataract and Tennessee and beyond. Founded by Dr. Thomas minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. McKee in 1942, the Johnson City Eye Clinic has Laser Assisted Refractive and Jennifer Oakley, MD, practices compre- grown to well over 100 eye health care profession- Cataract Surgeries hensive ophthalmology with a special interest in Mortgage lender offers large variety of loans Age Related Macular als dedicated to serving the community. Degeneration minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. Board John Johnson, MD, is a board-certified Glaucoma-Surgical and certified and glaucoma fellowship trained, she also Mortgage Investors Group (MIG) is the largest independent David Brown has worked in various forms of lending since ophthalmologist and is fellowship trained in Medical Management offers a variety of cataract and refractive surgeries. provider of single-family residential mortgages in the state of 2004, ranging from consumer finance to commercial lending. Medical and Laser Treatment of vitreoretinal diseases and surgeries. Dr. Johnson Diabetic Eye Disease Joshua J. Busscher, MD, joined the Tennessee and Bob Hefty, Branch Manager and Senior Loan He has a passion for helping people achieve homeownership has a particular interest and extensive experience Minimally Invasive Glaucoma practice after completing a Cornea Fellowship at Officer, has added new team members to his Tri-Cities group. and enjoys working with individuals and families to build wealth in the treatment of neovascular or “wet” macular Surgeries (MIGS) Emory University, Atlanta, GA. He specializes Hefty said, “We’ve added four new loan officers to better serve through real estate. Corneal Disease and Surgery degeneration. Pediatric Ophthalmology in an array of cornea treatments and surgery op- our growing market, David Brown, John Hefty, Seth Belcher, and Seth Belcher has been in lending for six years and is from the Alan McCartt, MD, is board-certified and Adult and Pediatric tions which surpass all that have been previously Brandon Burleson. Sneedville, TN area. In his free time he enjoys working out, golfing practices general ophthalmology with a special Strabismus available in our region. Bob is equipped with a Finance and Economics Degree, 5 and spending time with family and friends. He has a passion for Neuro-Ophthalmology interest in advanced cataract and corneal surgical Treatment of Retina and We are very pleased to have Dr. Lauren C. years as an Army Finance Officer, 11 years with a Fortune 500 lending and helping families find the home of their dreams. procedures. Vitreous Disorders Rushing join the team of comprehensive oph- company and has consistently been a top 20 producer with MIG Bob has personally trained and continues to mentor his highly Michael Shahbazi, MD, is a board certified Blepharoplasty thalmologists at Johnson City Eye Clinic where for the past 19 years. He specializes in VA loans and is passion- qualified and diversified team saying, “We are prepared and eager to (lid and brow lifts) and fellowship trained ophthalmologist with a Full Service Physician she will specialize in treating a wide array of retina ate about helping fellow Veterans become homeowners. educate and service the Tri-Cities Realtors and potential home owners.” special interest in medical and surgical treat- Supervised Medical Spa and vitreous disorders. Dr. Rushing grew up in Brandon Burleson is a native of Johnson City who took the MIG has been in Johnson City for over 24 years and provides ments of glaucoma. Tomball, Texas, a suburb of Houston. She received Mortgage Industry by storm early last year. Brandon has been ex- mortgage programs for purchases & refinances specific to the Amy Young, MD, practices comprehensive, board-certified her MD from the University of Texas Medical School where she also tremely successful helping the tri-cities area with Mortgage and customer’s needs that include – Conventional – FHA – VA – ophthalmology with a special interest in the treatment of diabetic completed her internship. Upon completion of an ophthalmology Refinance needs. With over 20 years in Management experience THDA – Rural Development and Jumbo loans. In addition to patients. residency at the University of North Carolina, she is finishing a and a drive to be successful have led Brandon to be one of the offering competitive rates and a diversified line of residential Randal Rabon, MD, a board certified, comprehensive Medical Retina Fellowship at the University of Michigan. most driven Mortgage Consultants in East Tennessee. mortgage products, MIG houses on-site underwriting, processing ophthalmologist with a special interest in advanced laser assisted Using the most technologically advanced equipment and newest “John Hefty is new in the Mortgage Industry but has over and appraisal services, and employs state-of-the-art technology to cataract and refractive procedures. surgical methods, our experienced physicians and well-trained 30 years of Management experience in supply chain and dis- ensure a swift and professional home buying experience. Jeff Carlsen, MD, is a fellowship trained pediatric ophthalmol- staff are committed to providing the most complete array of eye tribution. He decided to make a career move to MIG. John is Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial ogist specializing in pediatric and adult strabismus surgeries. Also, a care services in the region. dedicated to customer service and helping new clients, especially decisions one will ever make. Bob and his team are committed to Veterans. He served for eight years in the U.S. Air-Force.” making the experience as smooth and pleasurable as possible.
CONTACT INFO: TOP EXECUTIVE: DATE FOUNDED: JOHNSON CITY KINGSPORT DATE FOUNDED: Johnson City | Bristol Travis Dingus, CEO 1942 508 Princeton Rd, Suite 201 1825 N. Eastman Rd. Suite 3 1989 (423) 929-2111 NUMBER OF Johnson City, TN 37601 Kingsport, TN 37664 NUMBER OF johnsoncityeye.com EMPLOYEES: 423-283-4702 423-765-2211 EMPLOYEES: (423) 926-2200 100+ The Med Spa @ migonline.com migonline.com Johnson City Eye Clinic 400 cosmeticlaserskincarejc.com
July 2020 | bjournal.com 35 ‘Embracing Heritage’ paying off for Tennessee Hills Distillery
ounded in 2014 by Stephen and Jessica Callahan, Tennessee Making People Matter Most FHills Distillery has quickly earned a reputation for producing high-quality spirits authentic to the hills of East Tennessee. Located in the heart of Historic Jonesborough – a town defined by its enduring heritage – the Callahans are striving to keep the rich tradition of distilling alive, a passion Stephen insists is in his blood. The proof of that passion can be found in a robust line of exceptional beverages produced by the Callahans that includes Your Local Staffing bourbon, corn liquor, gin, vodka and a variety of rums. Tennessee Hills is a family business in every sense of the word. & Recruiting Partner Stephen’s father put up the deed to the family farm as collateral Jessica and Stephen Callahan when Stephen and Jessica decided to take a leap of faith by Industrial and purchasing the distinctive Salt House building in Jonesborough to house their new venture. As Stephen puts it, “the bank told me yes Office/Admin Support and my wife didn’t tell me no,” launching a business that is now on Nationwide Service the verge of major growth. Temp to Hire True to the roots The Callahans started Tennessee Hills with the motto “Embrace Direct Hire Heritage” as a guiding principle. When it comes to drawing tourists to Short & Long Term his business, Stephen avoids gimmicks and Appalachian stereotypes, opting instead to showcase the distillation process that has been On-site Solutions perfected in our region through hundreds of years of experience. “Distilling has kind of always been in my heritage,” he said. “There are a lot of people around here, and in my family in particu- lar, that have made liquor throughout the years. Being a profession- Connecting al distiller has always been an aspiration.” Great chemistry you with the Stephen and Jessica were high school sweethearts and dated throughout their years at Emory & Henry College. After they graduated from Emory & Henry with science degrees, they both wound up landing jobs in the same building at Eastman. right people. Stephen quickly tired of the corporate world and yearned to try his hand at becoming a distiller. The Callahans’ shared scientific background has paid huge dividends in their new venture. Elimi- nating variables produces consistent results from one batch to the next, ensuring every bottle is of the highest quality.
Right at home From the start, Tennessee Hills has been a natural fit in the town of Jonesborough. Its potential for cultural tourism make the business a natural fit in Tennessee’s oldest town, and Callahan said the strong support of local consumers has been the driving force behind an expansion that is currently underway. Tennessee Hills recently gave back to the community by producing hand sanitizer during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak with a large portion of the proceeds being donated to local charity organiza- 127 Fox Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 tions. With expansion on the horizon, the Callahans are committed tnhillsdistillery.com to remaining deeply rooted in the Appalachian Highlands region. (423) 788-9105
36 bjournal.com | July 2020 ‘Embracing Heritage’ paying off for Tennessee Hills Distillery ounded in 2014 by Stephen and Jessica Callahan, Tennessee Making People Matter Most FHills Distillery has quickly earned a reputation for producing high-quality spirits authentic to the hills of East Tennessee. Located in the heart of Historic Jonesborough – a town defined by its enduring heritage – the Callahans are striving to keep the rich tradition of distilling alive, a passion Stephen insists is in his blood. The proof of that passion can be found in a robust line of exceptional beverages produced by the Callahans that includes Your Local Staffing bourbon, corn liquor, gin, vodka and a variety of rums. Tennessee Hills is a family business in every sense of the word. & Recruiting Partner Stephen’s father put up the deed to the family farm as collateral Jessica and Stephen Callahan when Stephen and Jessica decided to take a leap of faith by Industrial and purchasing the distinctive Salt House building in Jonesborough to house their new venture. As Stephen puts it, “the bank told me yes Office/Admin Support and my wife didn’t tell me no,” launching a business that is now on Nationwide Service the verge of major growth. Temp to Hire True to the roots The Callahans started Tennessee Hills with the motto “Embrace Direct Hire Heritage” as a guiding principle. When it comes to drawing tourists to Short & Long Term his business, Stephen avoids gimmicks and Appalachian stereotypes, opting instead to showcase the distillation process that has been On-site Solutions perfected in our region through hundreds of years of experience. “Distilling has kind of always been in my heritage,” he said. “There are a lot of people around here, and in my family in particu- lar, that have made liquor throughout the years. Being a profession- Connecting al distiller has always been an aspiration.” Great chemistry you with the Stephen and Jessica were high school sweethearts and dated throughout their years at Emory & Henry College. After they graduated from Emory & Henry with science degrees, they both wound up landing jobs in the same building at Eastman. right people. Stephen quickly tired of the corporate world and yearned to try his hand at becoming a distiller. The Callahans’ shared scientific background has paid huge dividends in their new venture. Elimi- nating variables produces consistent results from one batch to the next, ensuring every bottle is of the highest quality.
Right at home From the start, Tennessee Hills has been a natural fit in the town of Jonesborough. Its potential for cultural tourism make the business a natural fit in Tennessee’s oldest town, and Callahan said the strong support of local consumers has been the driving force behind an expansion that is currently underway. Tennessee Hills recently gave back to the community by producing hand sanitizer during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak with a large portion of the proceeds being donated to local charity organiza- 127 Fox Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 tions. With expansion on the horizon, the Callahans are committed tnhillsdistillery.com to remaining deeply rooted in the Appalachian Highlands region. (423) 788-9105
July 2020 | bjournal.com 37 Experience the Difference!
growth” said Phil. In 2011 Safe-Way added waterproofing to the list of services. With over 500 satisfied customers whose basements and crawl spaces have been saved from damaging water and mold. In addition their services include pest control, termite control, crawl space encapsulations, basement drains, French drains and insulation. Phil is very proud of his team, “Without a doubt, our employees are what separates us from the competition. We’ve had literally no turnover in the past six years. Our long-term employees have helped build long-term relationships with our clients. Customers appreciate not having someone different in their home each time. Our service professionals are warm, kind, moral and ethical in every way. They truly define our mission statement.” Serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, Safe-Way offers lifetime guarantees and a “customer first” business philosophy. In the near future Safeway plans to add two additional location to serve the Tri-Cities.
MISSION STATEMENT A mission statement is important for every company and Safe-Way shares their values daily to include: - Over 90 years of pest control experience has culminated in the creation of the Phil Lovorn and Sherry Stanley Safe-Way brand. - Our customer service will be second to none. - Safe-Way will win the race for customer satisfaction because hil Lovorn grew up in Houston Texas but for the past 43 we will do it right from the start. - Safe-Way has assembled the Pyears he and his wife of 52 years, Carla, and family have most knowledgeable and caring team of professionals in the called Tennessee home. pest control industry. - Safe-Way will treat each customer with In 1974, after serving in the Marine Corps, Phil started his warmth and respect, just as we would a guest in our home. - In career in pest control. Safe-Way just celebrated 35 years our quest to be the best, we pledge to provide uncompromised providing service and protecting homes in the Tri-Cities. “Our service to our customers at a great value.- If you think you can’t, loyal customers have allowed us to experience tremendous you won’t. If you think you can, you will. WE CAN! WE WILL!
CONTACT INFO: TOP EXECUTIVE: DATE FOUNDED: (423) 283-4522 Phil Lovorn 1985 106 E. Mountcastle Drive, NUMBER OF Johnson City, TN 37601 EMPLOYEES: safewaytn.com 22
38 bjournal.com | July 2020 Make us your First choice. Commercial | Agriculture | Mortgage
Experience the Difference! growth” said Phil. In 2011 Safe-Way added waterproofing to the list of services. With over 500 satisfied customers whose basements and crawl spaces have been saved from damaging water and mold. In addition their services include pest control, termite control, crawl space encapsulations, basement drains, French drains and insulation. Phil is very proud of his team, “Without a doubt, our employees are what separates us from the competition. We’ve had literally no turnover in the past six years. Our long-term employees have helped build long-term relationships with our clients. Customers appreciate not having someone different in their home each time. Trusted Since 1979 | www.firstbank.com Our service professionals are warm, kind, moral and ethical in every way. They truly define our mission statement.” Serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, Safe-Way offers lifetime guarantees and a “customer first” business philosophy. In the near future Safeway plans to add two additional location to serve the Tri-Cities. Hugh Furguson Cindy Anderson Wes Fletcher Joe Ganger Steven Swinney Gary Malcolm Maggie Weathley Kathryn Keith Lance Blaylock Johnson City NMLS # 662698 Johnson City Johnson City NMLS # 491097 NMLS # 491085 NMLS # 1068124 Bristol NMLS # 1767999 MISSION STATEMENT 423-282-3850 Johnson City 423-282-3850 423-282-3850 Kingsport Bristol Bristol 423-652-2022 Bristol A mission statement is important for every company and 423-975-9900 423-246-3700 423-652-2022 423-652-2022 276-466-9222 Safe-Way shares their values daily to include: - Over 90 years of pest control experience has culminated in the creation of the Phil Lovorn and Sherry Stanley Safe-Way brand. - Our customer service will be second to none. - Safe-Way will win the race for customer satisfaction because hil Lovorn grew up in Houston Texas but for the past 43 we will do it right from the start. - Safe-Way has assembled the Vicky Holbrook Ashley Leonard PJ Millard Steven Osborne Brent Dyson Roberta Looney Gloria Smith Chad Taylor Mike Hillman Pyears he and his wife of 52 years, Carla, and family have most knowledgeable and caring team of professionals in the Bristol Bristol Bristol NMLS # 610675 NMLS # 455644 NMLS # 491084 NMLS # 491095 NMLS # 455646 NMLS # 507456 276-669-1122 276-698-7088 423-652-2022 Abingdon Abingdon Abingdon Abingdon Abingdon Lebanon called Tennessee home. pest control industry. - Safe-Way will treat each customer with 276-628-3838 276-628-3838 276-628-9558 276-628-9558 276-628-3838 276-889-4622 In 1974, after serving in the Marine Corps, Phil started his warmth and respect, just as we would a guest in our home. - In career in pest control. Safe-Way just celebrated 35 years our quest to be the best, we pledge to provide uncompromised providing service and protecting homes in the Tri-Cities. “Our service to our customers at a great value.- If you think you can’t, loyal customers have allowed us to experience tremendous you won’t. If you think you can, you will. WE CAN! WE WILL!
Justin Trent Jonathan Mullins Melissa Coffey CONTACT INFO: TOP EXECUTIVE: DATE FOUNDED: NMLS # 1648305 NMLS # 507469 NMLS # 478658 Lebanon Wise Norton (423) 283-4522 Phil Lovorn 1985 276-889-3401 276-328-3439 276-679-7401 106 E. Mountcastle Drive, NUMBER OF Johnson City, TN 37601 EMPLOYEES: safewaytn.com 22 Serving Virginia: Abingdon | Blacksburg | Bridgewater | Bristol | Christiansburg | Fairlawn | Harrisonburg | Lebanon | Lynchburg | Norton | Staunton | Verona | Waynesboro | Wise | Woodstock | Wytheville | Loan Production Offices: Bedford | Hanover | Lynchburg | Roanoke | Rocky Mount | Winchester | Serving Tennessee: Bristol | Gray | Johnson City | Kingsport
July 2020 | bjournal.com 39 #SafeWithUs
Your safety is our priority. In the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all made big changes. We’ve stayed home, dinner tables have become school desks and important events have been missed. But one thing has remained the same – our commitment to delivering the best possible care. And while you are still safe at home, be assured, you are safe with us.
Screenings to check everyone who comes in for signs of illness Don’t delay
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting healthcare of every public and patient care area We’ve created new services and processes that will improve and safeguard your care journey.
• Feel confident in making an appointment with your primary Hand sanitization stations that are easily accessible care provider today. throughout our facilities • Depend on us to treat your existing medical conditions.
• Be comfortable keeping important childhood Public areas that are carefully vaccination appointments. designed to provide ample space between people • Utilize telehealth options to reduce wait time, eliminate the need for travel and make it even faster and simpler to get the care you need.
Virtual waiting rooms, Face coverings required for every patient, so you can remain in your car visitor and team member in all Ballad Health facilities until your appointment time*
*Please wait in your vehicle and give us a call when you arrive. Bandana Neck gaiter Homemade
#SafeWithUs
40Visitbjournal.com balladhealth.org | July 2020 to learn more.