Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Knoxville:

• H. M. “Hash” Hashemian, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation (AMS), has been elected President of the American Nuclear Society (ANS). After a year as Vice President/President-elect starting this June, he will lead the membership organization starting in June 2025. Celebrating its 70^th anniversary in 2024, ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society. Hashemian is most likely the first ANS President born outside the U.S. His company provides the worldwide nuclear industry with products and services to measure instrumentation and control performance and verify compliance with technical specifications and regulatory requirements. AMS recently hosted an “After Work” event for the East Tennessee Economic Council (see teknovation.biz article here). In 2016, we shared Hashemian’s journey after the moved to the U.S. in 1974 in a three-part teknovation.biz series (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3).
• Speaking on ANS, another Knoxvillian was elected to its Board of Directors. Wes Hines, Postelle Professor, Chancellor’s Professor and head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, was elected. He has also been named the university’s 2024 Macebearer.
• The new “Moser Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership” at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City is hosting a kickoff for the Knoxville community on May 7. The one-hour event will be held beginning at 8 a.m. EDT at Scrambled Jake’s Breakfast Company, 7428 South Northshore Drive, in the heart of Rocky Hill. John Morris, Director of the Moser Center and a longtime player in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, invites those interested in learning more about the new initiative to attend. To reserve a spot, click on this link.
• Applications for the third cohort of the “Spark Cleantech Accelerator” will close on May 15. Operated by the UT Research Park and its Spark Innovation Center, the 12-week program kicks off on August 19. During the 12-week program participants will receive: (1) a $15,000 stipend to support living expenses and business milestones; (2) expert mentoring and support in various business and technical disciplines in partnership with the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC); (3) direct connections with a network of customers, investors, and partners; (4) specialized training workshops and individual meetings; and (5) opportunities for strategic partnerships with key organizations like the Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the City of Knoxville, UT, and members of the TAEBC. The Spark Cleantech Accelerator is supported by the these organizations as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Launch Tennessee, and the Truist Foundation.
• The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) has announced a three-session marketing clinic designed for entrepreneurs looking to sharpen their marketing skills. Scheduled for May 9, participants will start their day with “FIND” at 9 a.m. EDT where they’ll learn Search Engine Optimization, analytics, and paid advertising tactics. Next, at 11 a.m., they’ll elevate their communication skills with “CONNECT” focusing on email marketing and integrated campaigns. The final session at 1 p.m. is titled “KEEP” with a dive into strategies to keep customers engaged and loyal. Sessions will be led by Amanda Martin of Future Garage and Jess Curtis of J-Bird Marketing. Registration is $10 per session at this link.
• Speaking of KEC, its monthly “In the Room” series featuring Gera Grinberg is titled “Entering (and Exiting) Partnerships.” Scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. EDT on April 25, the discussion will focus on a “prenup” of sorts for entering a partnership, including who (which partner) is going to do the work, can you have another job, who is going to manage the company, who is going to own the intellectual property, can you bring others into your “marriage” / partnership, etc. And, of course, what happens when a “divorce” occurs. Also, the individual in the proverbial hot seat is Don DeRosa of Eonix. To register, click here.

From Kingsport:

The Kingsport Chamber is hiring a full-time Program Director for its new Women’s Business Center. The individuals hired will report to the Chief Business Development Officer. Ideal candidates have experience in small business lending, minority procurement, or entrepreneur support and are seeking valuable career growth. This position is office-based in Kingsport, Tennessee, not remote. To apply, send your resume to hr@kingsportchamber.org.

From Maryville:

Tammi Ford, Vice President of the Blount Partnership, has been recognized as one of the first seven chamber of commerce executives to receive an inaugural designation from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE). She was honored with being a member of the inaugural class of the “Executive Designation Program” that recognized the professional competence of chamber of commerce executives in the State of Tennessee.

“It’s truly humbling to be recognized as a Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executive and to be counted among the dedicated individuals in Tennessee striving to enhance their communities,” said Ford.  “Serving the business community through both the Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Blount Partnership has been more than just a role for me—it’s been my genuine calling and passion.”

The designation is based on experience, service to TCCE, training, continuing education, and professional achievement. Recipients receive professional certification that can be included in their profile, biography, and resume.

From Morristown:

The UT Center for Industrial Services, in collaboration with the TN American Job Centers, will be hosting a NO COST half-day workshop about the “Optimized People Development System” (Optimized PDS) from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon EDT on May 7 at the Morristown American Job Center. The Optimized PDS is a management approach that focuses on improving the system you use to find, train, and retain people. Optimizing this critical system helps to improve company culture, retain and attract top talent, and achieve business goals. To register, click here.

From Nashville:

Leading medical technology provider Healing Innovations, based in Nashville, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital have partnered in a breakthrough in pediatric care: the first-ever Rise&Walk technology customized to help children as they recover after spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

This innovative neurorehabilitation robotic gait trainer was created specifically for children based on feedback from the Neurorehabilitation team at Arkansas Children’s. It marks a significant advancement in treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries in the pediatric population. Healing Innovations’ Rise&Walk is designed for patients with neurological and mobility impairments to practice seated and standing activities.

When the Rehabilitation, Neurology and Orthopedics teams at Arkansas Children’s saw Healing Innovations’ Rise&Walk for the first time, they quickly realized a few adjustments to the adult version could revolutionize their work with children and adolescents. The organizations launched a plan to develop a new state-of-the-art model that could deliver right-sized care for kids.

Another from Nashville:

The grandmother or grandfather – take your pick – of the Volunteer State’s entrepreneur centers is in Nashville, and the EC, as it is frequently referred to, has issued its 2023 annual report. The document from the Nashville Entrepreneur Center notes that the organization “played a vital role in helping to drive Nashville’s economic growth, with local start-ups generating over $8.8 million in revenue and creating 250 jobs.” The Center also “brought together more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, business, and community leaders around learning opportunities, mentorship, events, and workspace – all to foster a diverse community of changemakers.” Click here to read the report.

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