Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Knoxville:

After years of steady growth, and in a move to meet the growing marketing needs of more Southeastern companies, Nashville-based independent agency MP&F has announced the opening of an office in Knoxville and the appointment of Tiffany Carpenter as its top executive.

In a news release announcing her appointment, MP&F described her as “a former client and trusted collaborator (who) brings more than 30 years of experience in public relations, marketing and strategic communications. As Vice President for Communications and Marketing for the University of Tennessee (UT) System, she partnered closely with MP&F for three years.”

The decision for the 38-year-old agency to open another location was based on harnessing growth opportunities in the vibrant business region of East Tennessee, encompassing Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the TriCities area. The agency has had a footprint in Washington, DC, since 2008 that focuses primarily on servicing federal clients.

Carpenter’s impressive background includes time at UT, where she held several leadership roles, including assistant athletic director for UT Athletics and vice president for Communications and Marketing for the UT System. She pioneered the award-winning “Everywhere You Look, UT” grassroots marketing campaign, which significantly increased statewide visibility and public trust in the university.

Melissa Tindell will serve as Interim Vice President.

Early bird registration is now underway for the annual “Opportunities in Energy” event scheduled for mid-November in Knoxville. Hosted by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, the all-day event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on November 19 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Knoxville.

The agenda, which will be announced closer to the date, includes:

1. Keynotes and panels featuring industry leaders;
2. Presentation of the Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award; and
3. Networking opportunities with advanced energy stakeholders.

The deadline for the early bird pricing runs through September 5 at this link.

Andrew Goldner, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GrowthX in Nashville, returns to Knoxville next week to facilitate a workshop on sales and go-to-market strategies at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.

Goldner has been has been advising, running, starting, and investing in start-ups since 1998 and moved to Nashville almost a decade ago as noted in this October 2016 teknovation.biz article. He is a Kauffman Fellow, graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Georgetown Law, and a Board Member and Officer of the Invisible Wounds Foundation.

The event is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT on July 22 at the Center on Market Square. To register, click here.

Jack Hammontree, who served in a number of economic development positions in Tennessee and Alabama, died July 6 in Knoxville. He served as CEO of the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, President and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of the McMinn County Economic Development Authority. He also served as Commissioner and CEO of the Alabama Development Office.

A Memorial Service Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 9, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lenoir City, with a reception at the church immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Jack to Trinity United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 606, Lenoir City, TN 37771) or to a church or charity of your choosing.

From Oak Ridge:

Mike Taylor, who stepped down recently as CEO of the Knox Education Foundation, did not go far. He was introduced on Friday during the meeting of the East Tennessee Economic Council as the new top executive at the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.

The group was formed to enhance, promote, and support the public schools of Oak Ridge, their students, and their mission. Since 2000, the Foundation has coordinated efforts to provide preK-12 teachers with resources over and above those funded with tax dollars by financially supporting programs that enrich student learning, encourage professional development, enhance innovative technological and instructional programs, and provide state of the art facilities to set the standard of excellence in public education.

From Memphis:

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