ROANE ALLIANCE

We plan and implement strategies for the controlled growth of Roane County’s economy as a unified voice representing the best Tennessee has to offer businesses, citizens and travelers.

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ROANE ECD

We bring growth-oriented businesses with strong fiscal discipline, infrastructure and workforce-ready people to East Tennessee.

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ROANE TOURISM

We attract travelers who seek unique heritage and the best outdoor recreational experiences to Roane County.

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ROANE CHAMBER

We connect leaders and organizations for the benefit of local and regional business growth.

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EDUCATION MATTERS

We empower leaders, parents and students to invest in education, so they are better prepared to fulfill the workforce opportunities of Roane County’s future.

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RETIRE ROANE

We offer natural beauty, historic charm and low-cost living, distinguishing Roane County as one of the best retirement destinations in the nation.

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Annual Business Awards

 Congratulations to the 2022 Annual Business Award Winners!

Presented by the Roane Chamber & Roane County Industrial Development Board*

  • Ron Woody - Paul Cowell Distinguished Service
  • Tennessee's Finest Awards & Frameworks - Business of the Year
  • Dr. Silvia Mende, Tennessee Eye Care - Woman of the Year
  • Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition - Non-Profit of the Year
  • Courtney Briley, Michael Dunn Center - Paul E. Goldberg Young Professional
  • Ashely Freeberg, Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition - Ambassador of the Year
  • DWK - Industry of the Year*

Nominate Outstanding Businesses & Leaders

The Roane Chamber recognizes outstanding businesses and individuals in Roane County each year during the Annual Roane Alliance Gala.   They must be a Chamber Member or work for a Chamber Member Business and fit the criteria provided in the award's nomination form to be considered for the Roane Chamber's Business Awards, however, the Roane County Industrial Development Board, will give higher value for a Chamber Member nomination, but does not require the industry to be a member to win.

Forms are available in the spring of each year and winners will be selected at least a month prior to the Gala.  For questions or a specific request, email the Chamber at chamber@roanealliance.org.

PAUL COWELL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
(to 1985)

2023 Ron Wood
2022 Steve and Elaine Patterson
2021 Laura Conner
2020 Marilyn Calfee
2019 Rick Cox
2018 Kathy Parks
2017 Barry Stephenson
2016 Russell Johnson
2015 Dr. Chris Whaley
2014 Sharon Templeton
2013 Paul Cowell
2012 Johnny Griffin
2011 Dr. Gary Goff
2010 Buddy Bowers
2009 Dana Peterka
2008 Gary Baker
2007 Jim Gann
2006 Jerry Duncan
2005 Tony Mason
2004 Dr. Jack Warner
2003 Dr. Julian Ahler
2002 Ken Yager
2001 H.G. "Sonny" Hunter, Jr.
2000 Tony Brown
1999 Jerry Stephens
1998 Steve Kirkham
1997 Larry Byrkit
1996 David Webb
1995 Hershel Freels
1994 William "Bill" Manly
1993 Sonny Harvey
1992 Dr. Paul Goldberg
1991 Russell Simmons
1990 Ken Gilliam
1989 Walter Burlington
1988 Frank Knies
1987 Citizens of Roane County
1986 James M. Henry
1985 Henry "Hank" Cooper

CONT'D - PAUL COWELL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
(1984 to 1970)

1984 Louise M. Greene
1983 Cuyler A. Dunbar
1982 Sam Browder
1981 Nick Drewry
1980 Gerald Hensley
1979 George Ed Wilson, Jr.
1978 Wilbert Rowe
1977 Maurice K. Williams
1976 O. W. McMinn, Harriman
Don Patterson, Kingston
Albert Baisley, Rockwood
1975 Ed Browder, Harriman
Paul Page, Kingston
Ralph Jean, Rockwood
1974 Dr. L. A. Killefer, Harriman
Sam O'Briant, Kingston
Russell Simmons, Sr., Rockwood
1973 Walter Pulliam, Harriman
C. E. Scott, Kingston
LeRoy Stansell, Rockwood
1972 Beulah Burns, Harriman
Earl Robinson, Kingston
Ferrel O'Quinn, Rockwood
1971 Walter Stone, Harriman
Bethel Poston, Kingston
Maurice Grief, Rockwood
1970 G. E. Edwards, Harriman
Ron Burney, Kingston
Don Edwards, Rockwood

 

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

2023 Tennessee's Finest Awards and Frameworks
2022 Duncan Family Automotive
2021 Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Harriman
2020 ORUD
2019 Earl Duff Subaru
2018 Humble Bee Flowers & Gifts
2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
2016 Toho America, Inc.
2015 Browder's Ace Hardware
2014 The Bridge at Rockwood
2013 Foust Family Fitness
2012 Coldwell Banker/Jim Henry
& Associates
2011 AGA Insurance Company
2010 Oak Ridge National Lab
2009 Patterson's Home Appliances
2008 Rocky Top General Store
2007 Roane State Community
College
2006 Roane Medical Center
2005 Whitestone Country Inn
2004 Griffin Insurance Agency
2003 Daniels, Uselton, & Clay
2002 Jerry Duncan Ford
2001 Rocky Top Markets
2000 Rosedale Florist
1999 Junior's Restaurant
1998 Austin's IGA Foodliner
1997 Kingston Chiropractic Center
1996 Gary Baker Electrical, Inc.
1995 Jon Loden's Auto Body
1994 Harriman Cablevision
1993 Dagger Canoe Company

INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR

2023 DWK
2021 EnergySolutions
2015 Crete Carrier
2014 Proton Power
2013 Barger & Sons
2012 Daycab Company
2011 Oldcastle Adams Products
2010 Dienamic Tooling Systems
2009 Philotechnics
2008 Bayou Steel
2007 TVA Kingston Plant & Thermo Fisher (Co Winners)
2006 The H.T. Hackney Company
2005 Duratek, Inc
2004 Dunn Diversified Industries
2003 Richards Industries
2002 Oldcastle APG
2001 The Berkline Corporation
2000 Jimco, Inc
1999 Chase Scientific Glass & Dagger Canoe (Co Winners)
1998 Act Group (Caterpillar)
1997 Roane Hosiery
1996 Fortafil Fibers, Inc
1995 Scientific Ecology Group
1994 Horsehead Resource Dev. Co.
1993 IMCO Recycling
1992 TVA

**The Roane County Industrial Development Industry of the Year Award was presented at the RCIDB’s annual Industry Breakfast from 1992 until 2015; the award returned in 2021 as part of the Roane Alliance Gala

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

2023 Dr. Silvia Mende
2022 Sarah Harrison
2021 Kathy May-Martin
2020 Toni Haba
2019 Jill McMaster
2018 Becky Ruppe
2017 Glenda Johnson
2016 Marilyn Calfee
2015 Teresa Duncan
2014 Danice Turpin
2013 Gail Lyke

ATHENA AWARD
(prior to 2013)

2012 Toni McGriff
2011 Lynne Spires
2010 Kathy Parks
2009 Penelope Uselton
2008 Joy Goldberg
2007 Judith Tyl
2006 Karin Cisson
2005 Una Coffman
2004 Diana Knobloch
2003 Teresa Kirkham
2002 Laura Overstreet
2001 Fran Puckett
2000 Kim Harris
1999 Regina Webster
1998 Beth Sublett
1997 Dr. Linda Hunter
1996 Dr. Sherry Hill
1995 Ann Cook
1994 Dr. Sherry Hoppe
1993 Sharon McKee
1992 Barbara Margiotta
1991 Eilene Harris
1990 Pat Hope
1989 Barbara Dietz

PAUL GOLDBERG
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL


2023 Courtney Briley
2022 Tori May
2021 Ashley Freeburg
2020 Ben Briley
2019 Mark Patterson
2018 Rebecca Schwepfinger
2017 Eric Barger
2016 Honorable Terry Stevens
2015 Kim Nelson
2014 Jude Miller
2013 Brantley Rivers
2012 Wade Creswell
2011 Chris Ahler
2010 Chris Mason

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

2023 Ashley Freeberg
2022 Becky Gilbert
2021 Taelor May
2020 Nikki Adkisson
2019 Henry Redmond
2018 Tori May
2017 Matt Libby
2016 Christy McCormick
2015 Stephanie DeChaine

 AWARD INFORMATION:

The Distinguished Service Award has been given out since 1970, and is certainly the most prestigious of the awards. The winner should demonstrate outstanding performance or unusual contribution to Roane County and to their business or community.  

The Business of the Year should significantly and positively affect economic progress in Roane County. And whether they be a longstanding or new business, they should be well respected in their field and within the community.   

The Woman of the Year should be significantly involved in business, professional, educational, community and civic affairs; demonstrate outstanding performance or unusual contribution to Roane County and to her business or community; and be highly respected in her field.

The Paul E. Goldberg Young Professional Award was created in honor of it's namesake in 2010 for someone under 40 who demonstrates strong leadership skills and a love for Roane County.  Paul E. Goldberg was a Roane State Community College professor who was instrumental in starting Leadership Roane County.

This Non-Profit of the Year award recognizes outstanding Roane Chamber members. To be considered, the nominee must be a Chamber Member and located or residing (if an individual) in Roane County for at least one year. The nominee should be significantly involved in business, professional, educational, community and civic or church affairs demonstrating outstanding performance or unusual contribution to Roane County. The nominee must be non-controversial and highly respected in the field.

 

The Roane County Industrial Development Board also honors a top industry each year at the Gala. Chamber membership is not required to be nominated, but members will be given preferential consideration when selecting the winner.

The Industry of the Year should be a manufacturer or distributor of goods and services, and whose customers traditionally are other businesses and on a larger scale of a traditional business. This sets them apart from the Business of the Year award mentioned above, but like that award nominee, should significantly and positively affect economic progress in Roane County and be well respected in their field and within the community. 

 The Roane Chamber Ambassadors also nominate and recognize a top ambassador at the Gala. The Ambassador of the Year winner is significantly involved in Chamber affairs and demonstrates outstanding performance and contributions, specifically to the Ambassador Team, to their business or profession and to Roane County. You must be a member of the Roane Chamber Ambassadors to nominate one of your peers.  A sponsorship is available to a Chamber Member business or individual for this coveted award to cover the cash award also given and comes with 2 Roane Alliance Gala tickets.

Download Nomination Forms (pdf)

 Distinguished Service  

 

Business of the Year

Industry of the Year

Woman of the Year

 

Young Professional

Ambassador of the Year