About Teknovation
PYA launched Teknovation in 2012 to spotlight and celebrate all things related to technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development in East Tennessee. The online publication serves those interested in advancing the region’s economy through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Teknovation is the place for East Tennesseans to share their successes, learn from others’, and focus on long-term winning strategies. It creates awareness of our region’s assets and helps drive technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial job growth in the state.
Meet the Team
Katelyn Biefeldt
Katelyn Biefeldt is the Managing Editor for Teknovation, with six years of experience as a business journalist in newsrooms in Tennessee (WBIR) and Arizona (KPNX). Throughout her career, she has received recognition from organizations like Hearst, NATAS, SPJ, and BEA for her digital and television reporting. She enjoys sharing multimedia content, especially when it highlights the achievements of others.
Katelyn joined PYA’s Teknovation team as Assistant Editor in the fall of 2023, later taking over as Managing Editor after the retirement of the Founding Editor, Tom Ballard, in December 2025.
In addition to Teknovation, Katelyn produces the ‘Pitch Before the Pitch’ series for Covenant Health Park, running at all One Knox and Smokies home games. The series features founders who are making an impact in the city.
Lindsay Turner
Lindsay Turner is a Business Journalist for Teknovation and serves as PYA’s Business Liaison, deepening external community relationships for the firm.
Lindsay is a public relations professional interested in the intersection of technology, economic development, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a background in crafting high-impact press releases and strategic proposals, she has spent her career amplifying the stories of others.
A proud Knoxville native, Lindsay’s work is driven by a passion for the economic well-being of her home state. Her professional contributions and academic excellence have earned her prestigious recognitions, including a nomination for Oak Ridge Young Professional of the Year and the Volunteer of Distinction award.
Tom Ballard
Tom Ballard is the Founding Editor of Teknovation and served as PYA’s Chief Alliance Officer before retiring in late 2025.
A pillar of the East Tennessee entrepreneurial community, Tom spent more than four decades building business connections between major entities and public and private organizations throughout the region, state, and nation before joining PYA in 2012 as Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Initiatives.
Tom was the inaugural Director of Partnerships for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Before that, Tom was with the University of Tennessee for 35 years, serving as Vice President for Public and Governmental Relations.
Tom’s enduring legacy carries on with PYA’s Tom Ballard Innovation Award, which provides $65,000 annually to local-area startups.
