Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

The East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medal. These honors will be awarded at the ETEC Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration in early December 2025.

Nomination submissions for the awards should include a letter to the selection committee containing specific reasons for the nomination along with the nominee’s resume and/or bio. Detailed criteria and lists of previous awardees are posted online at this link. Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and can be submitted by sending an email to info@eteconline.org.

The two awards have very different histories.

1. In 1973, the founders of ETEC, then known as the Roane Anderson Economic Council, created the Muddy Boot Award to reflect the efforts of the Manhattan Project founders of Oak Ridge, who worked through adverse conditions to build the community. The award has been presented to 107 people including elected officials, business leaders, and representatives of the Department of Energy. The objective is to recognize an individual – not an institution – for significant and long-term contributions to the East Tennessee region with respect to the federal government programs and its spin-offs by leveraging the federal presence to create private-sector jobs. Participation in the community beyond the workplace is essential.
2. In 2005, ETEC created the Postma Young Professional Medal to honor the accomplishments of young professionals who have made an impact and fostered a community culture in Oak Ridge and the region. Former Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Herman Postma epitomized this community spirit during his life; and his wife, Pat, continues the tradition of service today through her local involvement. A total of 28 young professionals have received this award.

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