The Rutherford County chamber of Commerce created another gala evening with its 2015 Business At It Best.
Pinnacle Award
Honors went to Leadership Rutherford's Pinnacle Award recipient John Black of the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority. John is also serving as this year's Leadership Rutherford president. Black began his career with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority in 1991 as deputy director of the Smyrna Airport, and was named executive director in 1999. During his tenure, the Airport Authority has invested over $38 million dollars into the airport, which has won Airport of the Year for the State of Tennessee twice. Black is a recipient of the coveted Airport Manager of the Year award for the Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region.
Business Person of the Year
Nissan North America's Randy Knight received the prestigious Business Person of the Year recognition from the Chamber. He Knight, Nissan's vice president of manufacturing for the Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant. In his current role, which he has held since November 2013, Knight is responsible for the operation of Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant including safety, quality, operations, productivity and environmental compliance. Knight joined Nissan in 1983.
Business Legend
And the Business Legend Award went to engineering firm, SEC Inc.'s Steve Harrison. He is presently the CEO of SEC, Inc., a local civil engineering, land surveying, land planning and landscape architectural firm. SEC founder Logan Hickerson hired Harrison in 1985, and he has now taken over the leadership of the firm with Hickerson's retirement. He grew-up in Rutherford County, was a 1976 Central High grad, and is a strong believer in giving back to the community. Harrison is a past president of the Rutherford County Boys and Girls Clubs, has served on the Crimestoppers board, and was the 2008 honoree for the Arthritis Foundation's Walk-a-thon, raising disease awareness and over $35,000 in funds. Steve was also honored as the 2003 Humanitarian of the Year for Community Service and received the 2008 Nashville Business Journal's Rutherford County Impact Award for community supporter.
2-Year Term As Chamber Chair
Barry Buckley served two-terms as the chairman of the board for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. He is the regional president of Wilson Bank & Trust Company.
Kathy Jones with the Parks Company was installed as the 2015 chairman of the board.
The main ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center was snap'n with the parody on the hit "All About the Bass". The Chamber singers did a great job grove'n to "All About The Place", which of course was Rutherford County.
Chamber President Paul Latture noted that 89 per cent of the 2,400 news jobs last year in Rutherford County were provided by existing firms. praised the 17-year partnership with Middle Tennessee State University to have the Small Business Development Council housed at the Chamber. It is unique to have a non-profit of this type housed where it actually meets face-to-face with new local entrepreneurs and helps them through the business maze to success.
The chamber president proudly announced that in 2014 Rutherford County saw an 8 per cent increase in tourism business. This places this area in the top 10 attractions in the state, and that's extremely strong when you consider the competition includes such places as Gatlinburgh and the Smokies, Music City and the Grand Ole Opry, Lookout Mountain, and others. Rutherford Counties strength has been in the area of major soccer, softball, basketball and other sporting events; along with conventions and trade shows.
Latture also proudly shared how 1,516 new jobs were created last year in Rutherford County, and how the Business Education Partnership (BEP) received national attention in 2014 with its SPARK program. This connects students, known as SPARK Teams, with working professionals to learn about business.
