Benchmarks 2019 | Section A | Business & Industry

SECTION A

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

BENCHMARKS EDITION March 15, 2019

www.g reenevillesun.com

Page 2

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

Greeneville’s Landair Acquired By Chattanooga-Based Covenant

BY MICHAEL S. RENEAU EDITOR In July 2018, Chattanooga trucking company Covenant Transport Services purchased Landair Transport Inc., the Greeneville-based transportation company previously owned by Chairman Scott M. Niswonger and President John Tweed.

More than half a year later, Landair President John Tweed characterized the purchase and transition as “better than most people would have ever thought” and as a “God thing.”

Covenant Transportation Group Inc. (CVTI), a company traded publicly on the Nasdaq, bought Landair for $83 million, company officials announced in July.

The Greeneville company will continue to be branded as Landair, and its operations center in Greeneville will remain. It will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covenant Transport, a growing Chattanooga company.

Covenant backed the purchase using $45.5 million in cash on hand, and already-owned equipment raised another $53 million in cash. Landair had $15.5 million of debt, which Covenant elected to refinance.

“Today is the start of the next chapter in the Landair story,” Niswonger said in a July statement. “We are blessed to have identified a strategic buyer that was founded on faith-based principles and is committed to continued investment in our business and people.”

“We believe this is a perfect fit,” Niswonger later said in a separate interview. “I’ll be retiring with this.”

He will no longer have direct involvement with the company and plans to move his office to the Niswonger Foundation office on North Main Street once renovations there are complete in the coming months. He wants to spend more time with the Niswonger Foundation and pursuing other aeronautical projects.

Landair President John Tweed has continued in that role.

“I am excited about this combination because it will give Landair and its customers access to, and the benefit of, the comprehensive resources of CTG,” Tweed said in July. “Continued growth at the pace we are experiencing requires access to the resources and support of a strong partner like CTG. The alignment in company cultures should enable a smooth integration of the two well-respected organizations.”

“We are very pleased to welcome the entire Landair team to the Covenant family,” Covenant Chairman and CEO David Parker said in a statement the day the purchase was announced. “We pursued Landair because of their proven record of growth and profitability in the dedicated and [third-party logistics] markets, their talented management team led by John Tweed, and the quality and integrity of their culture represented by their co-founder, Scott Niswonger. Landair is a perfect fit with our strategy to grow in areas where we can get closer and more heavily integrated with customers. We believe the backing of CTG will provide additional resources to expand Landair’s dedicated truckload operations to best meet the needs of its strong customer base, as well as improve profit margins through identified cost synergies.

Additionally, Landair’s existing managed freight business is expected to immediately improve CTG’s collective managed

SUN FILE PHOTO

From left, Covenant Chairman and CEO David Parker joins former Landair Chairman Scott M. Niswonger, Landair President John Tweed and Covenant President Joey Hogan at Landair headquarters in July 2018.

ing Texas and the East Coast.

INVESTING IN EMPLOYEES

SUN FILE PHOTO BY EUGENIA ESTES

Landair Transport Inc., located at 1 Landair Way in Greeneville, has been purchased by Chattanooga-based Covenant Transport Group Inc.

freight service offering, adding experience, human capital and important additional systems capabilities.”

GROWTH CONTINUES Numbers from Covenant’s fourth quarter financial disclosures and figures provided to The Greeneville Sun by Tweed paint a picture of a company seeing growth, with Landair now factoring as a sizable component.

At the time of the acquisition, Landair operated 430 trucks and 900 trailers with 12 distribution facilities with 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space.

In 2017, Landair generated about $121 million in total revenue. Of that, $60 million came from dedicated truckload operations, $41 million related to managed freight services, and the remaining $20 million related to one-way truckload operations.

Landair finished 2018 with $171 million in total revenue, and projections indicate leaders anticipate finishing 2019 with $210 million in revenue.

Furthermore, as of March, Landair employed more than 1,100 people. That’s up from the March 2018 total of 942 employees.

When Covenant acquired Landair, Tweed said Covenant’s corporate staff took over much of its administrative work — such as benefits management and maintenance — and allowed Landair’s staff to be solely dedicated to its core business. That propelled Landair into the fourth quarter, he said. “We’re focusing on growing our business,” he said.

Though Landair’s trucks are still seen on highways across the country, Tweed said less than half the company’s revenue comes from its own trucks hauling freight. The other comes from its freight management and warehousing operations — helping its clients manage their freight and equipment. Being solely focused on the business itself is helping propel the company, according to Tweed.

“It’s really where we’ve assimilated the teams and processes,” he said. “Most of the energy is placed on just growing our business.”

That’s feeding into Covenant. In its fourth quarter 2018 financial disclosures, Covenant reported total revenue of $272.3 million, a 33.9 percent increase over the previous year.

Its truckload operations brought in $204.7 million in the fourth quarter — $38.2 million

more than the previous year — and Covenant Chairman and CEO Parker credited Landair with much of that increase.

“The primary factor impacting our productivity was the impact of the Landair operations on the combined truckload division,” he said. “Landair’s shorter average length of haul and dedicated contract, solo-driven truck operations generally produce higher revenue per total mile and fewer miles per tractor than our other truckload business unties.”

In the freight and logistics management segment of its business, Parker again credited Landair. That segment saw an 83.6 percent increase in total revenue, from $36.8 million to $67.5 million, in the fourth quarter of 2018 over 2017.

“Of the $30.7 million of increased total revenue, Landair contributed $21.4 million of revenue to combined Managed Freight operations in the fourth quarter of 2018,” Parker said.

Tweed said Landair is specifically looking for growth in its warehousing operations. It currently manages about 3 million square feet of warehousing space but wants to get to 8 million square feet. It also wants to expand in certain markets where it doesn’t have a foothold, includ-

As Parker credited Landair with improving Covenant’s overall standing, Tweed also credited Covenant for investing in his employees.

“The culture turned out to be a phenomenal fit,” he said.

Covenant invested heavily in improving Landair employees’ benefits package by lowering out-of-pocket expenses borne by employees, increasing their paid time off and contributing more to 401(k) plans.

“They invest heavily in their folks,” Tweed said.

One of the benefits Landair brings to Covenant, according to Tweed, is the fact that workforces in places like Greeneville tend to be more stable and less prone to jumping from employer to employer. Conversely, Landair is looking to create desirable jobs at a time when the freight industry in general is facing a shortage of drivers.

“We’re working really hard to create some of the best driving jobs on the road,” Tweed said. Landair sets up custom compensation programs for its drivers to help them maximize their take home pay, according to Tweed.

Parker said in the fourth quarter disclosures that total investment for the Landair acquisition was $106.5 million, which included tax payments.

LANDAIR BACKGROUND Landair was one of two companies founded or co-founded

by Niswonger. Landair dates to 1981, when Niswonger founded it with Ed Sayler. Niswonger, an Ohio native, had previously worked as a pilot with Magnavox in Greeneville.

Landair thrived and grew dramatically, and Niswonger founded Forward Air several years later as a separate company.

Both Forward Air and Landair were publicly traded for a few years, but Niswonger and Tweed later bought back the stock of Landair and returned the company to private ownership in 2003.

Forward Air continues to be a publicly-traded company based in Greeneville.

Benchmarks A Story Index

Benchmarks A Advertiser Index

Greeneville’s Landair Acquired By Chattanooga-Based Covenant ............................... 2 Anchor Store Kmart Closed Its Doors In 2018 .............................................................. 3 Greeneville Commons Undergoing Rebirth .................................................................. 3 US Nitrogen Operations Continue In 2018 ................................................................... 5 Aldi Opens In Tusculum, Wine Expected On Shelves This Year................................... 7 Exit 23 Development Progressing .................................................................................. 8 New Owners Take Over Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram Business ...................................... 9 John Deer Celebrates 2 Milestones In 2018, ’19 ............................................................ 12 Chick-Fil-A Opens On Tusculum University Campus In 2018 ..................................... 13 Baileyton Businesses Expanded In 2018 ....................................................................... 13 Awards Go To Several Individuals In Local Businesses ................................................ 14 Companies, Firms Earn Recognitions, Mark Milestones .............................................. 15

American Greetings .............................................................................................................13 Apex Bank ............................................................................................................................9 Bachman Bernard Chevrolet • Buick • GMC • Cadillac ......................................................16 Brooks Excavating & Construction, LLC.............................................................................14 Chasan, LLC .........................................................................................................................5 Community Pharmacy .........................................................................................................3 Greene County Partnership .................................................................................................5 Industry Guide ............................................................................................................10 & 11 Link Hills Country Club.......................................................................................................4 McInturff, Milligan & Brooks, Inc. ......................................................................................15 Staffing Guide .................................................................................................................6 & 7 Towne Square Package Store ..............................................................................................3 US Nitrogen .........................................................................................................................8 Williams Electric Supply .....................................................................................................8

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 3

Anchor Store Kmart Closed Its Doors In 2018

BY STAFF After dodging several rounds of previous cuts, parent company Sears Holdings named Greeneville’s Kmart store among those slated to close in early 2018, and in April the store closed its doors for good.

Months later, though, property owners announced new tenants for the space.

“Sears Holdings continues its strategic assessment of the productivity of our Kmart and Sears store base and will continue to right size our store footprint in number and size.

In the process, as previously announced we will continue to close some unprofitable stores,” a 2018 Sears Holding statement said about the closing.

Since then, Sears Holding has skated around complete shut-down, but in February 2019, a bankruptcy judge approved a $5.2 billion plan by Sears Chairman Eddie Lampert

to keep remaining stores open for now.

Still, that was too late to keep the Greeneville store open. Liquidation sales began in mid January 2018 and lasted through its closure.

At the time, the Greeneville store was the largest anchor in the Greeneville Commons, which since the 1990s has been the retail center for the town.

In 2018, it was the latest in a series of vacancies to plague the shopping center, though it now seems to be undergoing a rebirth (see related story, page 3).

In April 2018, more than one-third of the storefronts sat empty — nine of the 23 shops.

In September 2018, Brixmor Property Group Inc. announced that three new retailers would fill the former Kmart storefront: Hobby Lobby, Marshalls and Five Below. Marshalls, an apparel retailer, will open a 21,000 square-foot store in the former Kmart

SUN FILE PHOTO BY MANSI BOEGEMANN

Work to transform the former Kmart location in the Greeneville Commons into two new storefronts was underway in early March. New stores are set to locate in the shopping center in the months ahead, Brixmor Property Group officials have said: Marshalls, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, Rack Room Shoes and Ross Dress for Less.

space; arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby will operate a 52,000-square-

foot space in the building; and pre-teen and teen-focused retailer Five Below

will have a 9,000-squarefoot presence in the building.

All three were slated to open in the latter half of 2019.

Greeneville Commons Undergoing Rebirth

BY STAFF After a period in 2018 where more than one-third of its storefronts sat vacant, the Greeneville Commons is experiencing a rebirth as a host of new retailers prepare to open in 2019.

Following the closure of its largest anchor store, Kmart, in April 2018, nine of 23 storefronts in the Commons sat empty (see related story, page 3).

Other notable stores to have closed included JC Penney and well-known Carolyn’s Hallmark in recent years.

In September, Brixmor Property Group Inc., the company that owns and operates the Commons, announced three new retailers would occupy the former Kmart storefront:

Marshalls, Five Below and Hobby Lobby.

Later that month, they announced Ross Dress for Less would occupy what was a JC Penney storefront until its closing in 2017.

Then, in December, Brixmor announced a Rack Room Shoes and a new Farm Bureau Insurance office would open in the Commons. Rack Room now occupies the former Carolyn’s Hallmark space.

Work crews began renovating spaces in the Commons in January.

In recent months, the Town of Greeneville has issued building permits totaling $2.25 million for the Commons work. The permits have been issued for interior remodeling, SEE COMMONS ON PAGE 4

IMAGE SPECIAL TO THE SUN

This rendering of what the Greeneville Commons could look like after Hobby Lobby, Marshalls and Five Below open storefronts there was provided by Brixmor Property Group. All three stores will utilize the former Kmart storefront.

Your Full-Service Pharmacy & so much more!

SUN PHOTO BY MANSI BOEGEMANN

Pictured Left - Right: Chris, Scarlet, Kayla, Josh, Melissa, and Shelly

The Greeneville Commons will be introducing five new retail stores in 2019.

•WINE •SPIRITS •BEER

TOWNE SQUARE PACKAGE STORE 200 W. Summer St. Downtown Greeneville

423-639-6521

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

DRIVE THRU

Pride® Mobility Products Compliance Packaging Immunizations Medical / Wound Care Supplies M-F 8:30 am-6 pm • Sat. 9 am-3 pm • Sun. Closed

THE WELL STOCKED BAR

Professional Bartending Service 423.552.3745 Fully Insured

1402 Tusculum Blvd. Greeneville (423) 588-5099 • Fax (423) 588-5935 www.communitypharmacygreeneville.com

Page 4

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

COMMONS

want to enter the market. We look forward to announcing more stores as leases are finalized. Together, these retailers will transform Greeneville Commons into a shopping destination that respects and serves the needs of the community.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

new plumbing, mechanical upgrades and signage.

FORMER KMART STOREFRONT Work began in January inside the former Kmart storefront, and a “Five Below Coming Soon” sign announced that new store in the nearby parking lot. The store, which features a variety of merchandise for $5 and under, will be located in 9,000 square feet between Marshalls and Hobby Lobby.

Once the demolition is finished, the buildings will be handed over to the individual stores’ vendors to begin construction work on the interiors and the storefronts, Brixmore Senior Vice President of Marketing Kristen Moore said. The exception is Five Below, for which Brixmor will construct the storefront, she added.

Marshalls, a national chain offering brand name and designer fashions at a discount, will occupy 21,000 square feet on the PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN/BRIXMOR PROPERTY GROUP side of the storefront where Kmart’s lawn Brixmor Property Group has announced plans for Ross Dress For Less to open in the former and garden center was located. Brixmor JC Penney storefront in the Greeneville Commons. The opening date has not yet been anofficials said its presence will address a lack nounced. The above photo is from a storefront in Whitehall, Penn. of apparel and home furnishing options in the market.

Hobby Lobby, a national arts and crafts chain, will occupy the remaining 52,347 square feet of the storefront, making it not only the largest of the new stores but also the most sizable in the shopping center. The Oklahoma-based retailer primarily offers arts and crafts supplies, but also includes hobbies, picture framing, fabric, floral and wedding supplies, cards and party wares, home accents and seasonal merchandise.

The nation’s largest privately-owned arts and crafts retailer has more than 800 locations in 47 states.

Five Below will open a 9,000-square-foot store in the latter half of 2019. Five below is a leading high-growth value retailer offering “trend-right,” high-quality products loved by pre-teens, teens and beyond, Brixmor officials said. The company has over 600 stores in 32 states.

In creating the three new storefronts, modifications will be made to the sidewalk as part of the facade renovations, Greeneville Planner Logan Engle previously said.

SUN PHOTO BY EUGENIA ESTES The changes to the sidewalks and ensurCrews were working in early 2019 to create a new Rack Room Shoes storefront in the Greening that the drive aisles continue to meet eville Commons. requirements were the reasons a new plot plan was required to be submitted for approval by the town’s planning commission, “Those stores chose us because we fit more retail moving forward.” she added. their requirements and specifications,” “These store openings are just the beAs part of the modifications, some chang- Greene County Partnership President and ginning,” said Barry Rodenstein, regional es will be made in the handicapped parking. CEO Matt Garland wrote in an email to president for Brixmor Property Group, In addition to the facade renovations, the The Greeneville Sun after the announcein September. “Retailer interest has been major exterior change will be in the rear of ment of the new stores in September. strong. The center’s 20-mile draw couthe building to prepare loading docks for “They’ll be great additions to our retail pled with its location and accessibility has the new stores, Engle said. base and will help us attract and recruit attracted the attention of retailers who

FORMER JC PENNEY, OTHER STORES Dumpsters have also been filling up outside the former JC Penney store, which will be the new Ross Dress for Less store location. That national chain, which features discounted department and speciality store brands, will be 22,016 square feet in size.

Part of the work at the Ross location is replacement of the roof by Brixmor.

The store will offer first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20 percent to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices every day, Brixmor officials said when they announced the new business.

Ross Stores Inc. currently operates 1,453 Ross Dress for Less locations in 38 states, plus Guam and Washington, D.C. “The addition of Ross Dress for Less, along with our recent slate of new store announcements, reflects a year-long focus on addressing retail voids in general merchandise, apparel, shoes and home furnishings,” Rodenstein said while announcing Ross. “We strategically added best-in-class retailers that will enhance the community’s shopping options and reinvigorate Greenville Commons into a retail destination that serves the Greeneville community.”

Rack Room Shoes opened on March 14 in the former Carolyn’s Hallmark space.

Rack Room Shoes offers nationally recognized shoe brands and will have options for men, women and children.

According to Moore, storefronts are selected based on the expenditure patterns of the potential location. Brixmor then works with various businesses to determine what would be the best fit.

A new Farm Bureau Insurance location in the Greeneville Commons will occupy a 1,350 square-foot space. This will be the company’s fifth office location in Greene County and will be between Pal’s Sudden Service restaurant and Radio Shack.

Brixmor says that 28,000 vehicles pass the Greeneville Commons daily. Based on annual customer visits as identified by smartphone data, the center draws from up to 20 miles away, serving a trade area of more than 57,000 people.

Six storefronts remain available for leasing in the shopping center. These are smaller retail spaces, with the largest at 4,500 square feet, plans on the Brixmor website said.

Link Hills Country Club is a family-oriented country club offering golf, tennis, swimming, dining facilities, and special activities to its members.

Low Country Boil

Wine Tasting

Outdoor Dining And Relaxing

Pumpkin Carving

Easter Egg Hunt

Link Hills Country Club 1325 East Allens Bridge Road, Greeneville, Tennessee (423) 638-3114 • www.linkhills.com

Subscribe Today! 423-359-3185 The Greeneville Sun

GreenevilleSun.com

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Friday, March 15, 2019

Page 5

US Nitrogen Operations Continue In 2018

BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER Several administrative and operational changes were made in 2018 at the US Nitrogen facility in Midway.

US Nitrogen LLC, a subsidiary of Ohio-based Austin Powder Company, is facility located on about 500 acres at 471 Pottertown Road. It produces nitric acid, ammonia, and liquid ammonium nitrate solution.

Nitric acid and ammonia are major components used at US Nitrogen, which manufactures liquid ammonium nitrate, or ANSOL, for Austin Powder. ANSOL is a component of blasting agents that Austin Powder sells and is created by combining nitric acid and ammonium.

SUN FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL S. RENEAU

Ricky Fowler and Paul Shelton monitor computers displaying the status of equipment at US Nitrogen In April 2018. The control board operators ensure plant components are running smoothly.

NEW MANAGER Dylan Charles was named plant manager in July 2018, when former manager Anthony Velo was reassigned.

Charles is the fourth plant manager at US Nitrogen since construction at the site began in 2012. Velo is no longer with the company.

A US Nitrogen representative declined in March to answer questions about 2018 operations at the facility.

James Boldt, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Austin Powder, said in a 2018 email that all efforts are made to operate the Midway facility safely and for US Nitrogen to be a good neighbor to surrounding residents and industries.

“The company has made progress on a host of key performance indicators and the Austin Powder management team is pleased by the steady integration of US Nitrogen’s production into the operations of the Austin Powder Company,” Boldt said.

U.S. Nitrogen has about 80 full-time employees.

SIRENS OPERATIONAL In early 2018, US Nitrogen completed testing of its new two-siren system on

First responders met afterward and discussed more effective communication between agencies and the most effective means of getting timely information out to the public.

A series of meetings over the following six months that included first responders, manufacturers and Greene County 911 were held that resulted in the creation and implementation of the localized siren warning system and a countywide Hyper-Reach notification system.

CIVIL PENALTY In October 2018, US Nitrogen was assessed a civil penalty of $20,377 for violation of the federal Clean Air Act by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The consent agreement with the the EPA took effect on Oct. 23, 2018.

The agreement also included the payment of at least $76,415 by US Nitrogen as part of an “Emergency Planning and Preparedness Supplemental

SUN FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL S. RENEAU

Condensed moisture rises on April 4, 2018, from three cooling towers at the US Nitrogen facility in Midway.

the grounds of the Midway plant. Both sirens are fully operational.

The sirens were installed to alert the local community in the event of an emergency. The new system allows residents and businesses within a 2-mile radius to be notified through the siren tone.

The siren system was tested throughout February 2018 with the assistance of local fire departments.

The need to get a localized emergency warning system in place at US Nitrogen was identified following the unplanned release there of nitric acid vapors on April 19, 2017. First responders from numerous agencies staged in the plant parking lot. While the incident was still in progress, some nearby residents voiced concerns about not receiving timely notification or instructions about how to react.

The vapors were released due to an equipment malfunction in the plant and dissipated quickly. US Nitrogen officials said there were no injuries.

Investigators determined that a gasket failure inside a component at US Nitrogen caused the 2017 release of nitric acid vapors.

Environmental Project” that benefits Greene County volunteer fire departments and other first responders.

The fine was assessed after an onsite EPA inspection found violations relating to the company’s risk management plan.

US Nitrogen allegedly violated federal laws written to prevent the uncontrolled release of ammonia, according to the consent agreement.

The violations were noted during a 2017 EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation inspection of the Midway facility and later included in an inspection report.

The laws referred to by the EPA in the consent agreement are in place “to prevent the accidental release of extremely hazardous substances,” according to the governing law section of the agreement.

Nitric acid and ammonia are major components used at the US Nitrogen facility, which manufactures liquid ammonium nitrate, or ANSOL, for Ohio-based parent company Austin Powder Company. ANSOL is a component of blasting agents that Austin Powder sells and is created by combining nitric acid and ammonium.

As part of the agreement, US Nitrogen “neither admits nor denies the factual allegations” made by the EPA in a violations of law section of the consent agreement, but consented to the assessment of the civil penalty, along with conditions specified by the EPA. US Nitrogen has a risk management program, or RMP, registered with the EPA, along with an RMP accidental release prevention program for the Pottertown Road plant.

The chemical manufacturing facility has 2.4 million pounds of ammonia in onsite storage, according to the agreement. At one SEE NITROGEN ON PAGE 6

INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

1915 SNAPPS FERRY RD. GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE

WAREHOUSING • LOGISTICS PROPERTY LEASING

• • • • •

• Warehousing & manufacturing space leasing • Flatbed and box trucking services • Food grade storage • Rail spur siding • Trailer & container drop lot

• Cross docking • Repackaging services • Freight consolidation • LIFO/FIFO inventory control • Pallet wrapping • Product assembly

Over 500 jobs provided by the tenants of CHASAN!

423-620-7800 www.chasantn.com

Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Tourism Keep Greene Beautiful Education & Workforce Development

The Greene County Partnership exists to provide community leadership, consensus-building and problemsolving through the cooperative efforts of business and government and to serve as a catalyst for positive improvement and change. We are committed to serving the needs of our members, industry, government, business and citizens by: • Providing a forum to identify common problems and develop solutions • Expanding and diversifying the Greene County economy • Providing and supporting initiatives that will enhance Greene County’s overall quality of life • Serving as a common denominator for governmental and community programs • Cooperating with regional programs of mutual interest

115 Academy Street, Greeneville, TN 37745 Phone: 423-638-4111 • FAX (423) 638-5345 www.GreeneCountyPartnership.com

Page 6

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

NITROGEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

location onsite, US Nitrogen has one ammonia processing “covered (manufacturing) process” that is “in an amount exceeding its applicable threshold of 10,000 pounds.”

ONSITE INSPECTION The EPA conducted an onsite inspection on Aug. 17, 2017, to assess compliance with the RMP. The inspection found that US Nitrogen “did not adequately implement provisions” of its chemical accident prevention guidelines.

The EPA alleged that US Nitrogen “failed to develop and implement written operating procedures that provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involve in each covered process consistent with the process safety information,” and “failed to document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices” as required by the EPA. The EPA further alleged that US Nitrogen “failed to establish a system to promptly address the (EPA) team’s findings and recommendations” and “assure that the recommendations are resolved in a timely manner and that the resolution is documented,” along with related documentation and communications findings.

The EPA alleged that US Nitrogen “failed to develop and implement written operating procedures that provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process consistent with the process safety information that addresses consequences of deviation” as required by the agency.

The consent agreement states that EPA recommendations were “resolved or implemented” by US Nitrogen.

The EPA gave US Nitrogen 30 days to pay the civil penalty and 45 days to complete the Emergency Planning and Preparedness Supplemental Environmental Project, referred to in the agreement as the SEP, specifying that US Nitrogen

SUN FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL S. RENEAU

Cattle relax near one of the two emergency warning system sirens on the property of US Nitrogen in Midway. This one is near the intersection of McDonald and Gravelwoods roads. The other is near the intersection of U.S. 11E and Forest Road.

expend no less that $76,415.

US Nitrogen has paid the civil penalty and the SEP project funding.The agreement also stipulated that US Nitrogen submit a completion report no later than 60 days after the Oct. 23, 2018, effective date of the consent agreement.

Many of the items had to do with reports and record keeping.

In a January 2018 letter from Velo to the EPA and TDEC, the company took issue with report findings.

“US Nitrogen does not believe that most of the ‘deficiencies’ mentioned in the report constitute violations of any statues, regulations or permits,” Velo stated in the letter. “Additionally, the report consistently fails to identify the specific applicable statutory, regulatory or permit requirements

that were allegedly violated.

“Finally, US Nitrogen notes that the report does not identify any noncompliance which could cause a threat to public drinking supplies, or any other discharge which could constitute a threat to human health or the environment.”

‘I AM RESPONDING’ SYSTEM The agreement states that the $76,425 be used for the purchase of a five-year commitment to Emergency Services Marketing Corp.’s “I Am Responding” system that will be provided to 15 Greene County volunteer fire departments and the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad. Also to be purchased with the funds are 46

Motorola radios and 50 Motorola pagers for the first responder agencies.

In addition to the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad, fire departments receiving the system and equipment include those closest to US Nitrogen — the Mosheim Volunteer Fire Department, Midway Volunteer Fire Department and Town of Mosheim Fire Department.

Also receiving the system and equipment are the Camp Creek, Caney Branch, Cedar Creek, Debusk, McDonald, Newmansville, Orebank, South Greene, St. James, Sunnyside, Tusculum and United volunteer fire departments.

According to a company statement issued in March 2018, in

calendar year 2017 US Nitrogen shipped a total of 68,642 tons of finished liquid ammonium nitrate for parent company Austin Powder.

Corresponding figures from 2018 were not made available.

“US Nitrogen has taken every opportunity to grow and improve its operations during the startup phases of the facility both internally and in concert with our community,” a 2018 company statement said. “Our internal philosophy requires that we take the proper steps in identifying improvement opportunities and apply those to our processes and procedures. It is our goal to operate our plants in a safe and compliant manner that meets all regulatory requirements.”

Staffing Guide WE FIND PEOPLE JOBS. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO

IMMEDIATE MANUFACTURING OPENINGS (423) 283-0607 spherion.com/apply

Your Skills + Our Client Opportunities = Greeneville Office

Johnson City Office

2290 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy. Greeneville, TN 37745 423-639-7123

129 E. Springbrook Drive Johnson City, TN 37601 423-929-7123

www.staffpro.net

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 7

Aldi Opens In Tusculum, Wine Expected On Shelves This Year

BY STAFF Employees were ready to hand out gift cards to a line of waiting customers as doors to Tusculum’s new Aldi grocery store opened for the first time in April 2018.

Business continues daily at the community’s newest grocer, where bottles of wine are likely to be stocked later this year after a November 2018 voter referendum allowing wine sales in grocery stores passed in Tusculum.

A BUSY OPENING DAY A sizable crowd showed up for the discount grocer’s April 26, 2018, opening. A line of customers snaked around the building ahead of ribbon-cutting and the start of business.

The new store, at 3800 E. Andrew Johnson Highway in Tusculum, joins other regional Aldi sites in Johnson City, Kingsport, Morristown, the Knoxville area and Bristol, Virginia.

The Tusculum store covers about 18,000 square feet and employed 10 people at opening, store manager Lisa Short said at the time.

Months of preparation and construction led up to the store’s opening day, when the first 100 customers passing through the door received Aldi gift cards good for between $10 and $100 worth of merchandise. Another giveaway promised free produce for a year. While browsing, shoppers were treated to samples

SUN FILE PHOTO BY KEN LITTLE

Shoppers who tried out the new Aldi grocery store lined up outside before the store’s grand opening in 2018.

of products found on shelves.

More than 90 percent of products on Aldi shelves are under exclusive brands that are “high quality and affordable food” buyers “can feel good about serving their families,” a news release from the grocer, issued ahead of opening day, said.

Operations at the store are a bit different from the traditional grocery shopping experience in Greene County’s market: no plastic shopping bags

are offered and customers are asked to bring reusable, environmentally friendly bags. Shoppers also must pay a quarter to rent a shopping cart, which is refunded once the cart is returned.

The practices are intended to save money, and are passed on to customers in the form of lower prices, Short said.

CITY WELCOMES, WINE OK’D City of Tusculum officials welcomed the business

with open arms. Mayor Alan Corley attended the store’s grand opening along with Tusculum Commissioner Mike Burns.

Because the city levies no property taxes, sales tax revenue funds services offered to Tusculum residents. Revenue projections showed the city could stand to benefit by about $65,000 annually in sales tax revenue from the business.

In late January 2019, the Tusculum Board of Mayor and Commissioners altered the city’s code to allow

wine sales in food stores.

The Nov. 6, 2018, voter referendum regarding wine passed in Tusculum with a vote of 583 in favor and 245 against. State law adopted in 2016 allows wine sales in grocery stores in communities that also allow liquor-by-the-drink sales — if a majority of voters approve.

Tusculum residents approved liquor-by-the-drink in 2016.

City officials have said Aldi should begin selling wine later in 2019.

Tusculum leaders hope

the store will help spur more business development along a commercially zoned strip of land along the East Andrew Johnson Highway.

“Obviously, the sales tax revenue that Aldi generates will benefit our city, our county school system and the jobs they create will help Greene County citizens, but we also believe that the confidence Aldi has displayed in locating their new building along our commercial corridor on East Andrew Johnson Highway will attract other retail development as well,” Corley said.

Aldi launched “an aggressive plan to ramp up U.S. expansion” in 2017, when plans for the Tusculum location came to light.

The company at that time announced a goal of 2,500 U.S. stores by 2022. That growth would make Aldi the third-largest grocer by count in the U.S., serving more than 40 million customers monthly.

At the time of the 2017 announcement, Aldi had over 1,600 stores in 35 states, and planned a $3.4 billion investment. The expansion planned to add 25,000 new jobs in stores, warehouses and offices, corporate officials said.

Worldwide, the German company runs about 9,200 locations. Aldi’s U.S. operations are headquartered in Chicago.

Aldi staff working at least 25 hours per week receive full health insurance benefits and dental coverage, while all Aldi employees may participate in the company’s 401(k) program.

Staffing Guide

+ NOW HIRING +

NOW HIRING!

423.638.1016

423.639.0900

ElwoodJobs.com

A SERVICES GROUP, LLC

+ APPLY NOW + Staffing I Professionals I HR Solutions I Inhouse Services

Office 423.638.7614 | Fax 423.638.3233 2255 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy., Greeneville, TN 37745

luttrellstaffing.com

423.638.9946 Phillip or Kelley Light Industrial OfÀce and Administration 514 Justis Drive, Greeneville, TN 37745

shaping the world of work

Page 8

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

SUN FILE PHOTO

The property being developed for the Mosheim Crossing project is shown on the hillside in this photo. A Shoney’s Restaurant is expected to be built next to an existing convenience store.

Exit 23 Development Progressing

BY LISA WARREN STAFF WRITER Although actual dirt has yet to be moved at the site, there has been a mountain of progress made during the past year on Mosheim Crossing, a property development project at Exit 23, officials say.

Property developer Randy Corlew, of the Morristown-based Welroc Enterprises LLC, has been working on the multi-million dollar property development just off Interstate 81 for the past couple of years.

Among the current plans for the site are a sit-down restaurant, at least two hotels and other businesses.

The nearly $4 million property development at Exit 23 is being funded through tax-increment financing. Of that amount, about $1 million will be used for new road construction on the property.

“It’s been long in coming. Nobody wants it any more than I do,” Corlew said in a recent interview.

While Corlew initially hoped that ground would be broken in early 2018, delays put the project on hold until spring 2019.

“What people don’t realize is how long it takes to get something like this put together — the financing and everything else,” Corlew said. “And so that’s been the biggest thing.”

He said that some people may be passing by the as-yet unbroken ground at the site and wondering if it is going to happen.

“Yes, it is definitely happening,” Corlew said. “In fact, I’m spending about every day working on it right now.”

Mosheim Mayor Tommy Gregg is also eager to see ground broken on the proposed site — as well as others business and industry sites throughout the municipality.

Attracting businesses and industry to Mosheim has been one of the major goals during Gregg’s tenure as mayor. Mosheim has no property tax for its residents, so the town relies on sales tax revenue as its primary source of funding.

SUN FILE PHOTO

A paved roadway now leads onto the Darlene Dixon property off Idell Road near Exit 23 in Mosheim. Dixon hopes to one day establish an RV park on the property. In the background across Andrew Johnson Highway is a property being developed by Randy Corlew, of Welroc Enterprises LLC.

During the past year, the Town of Mosheim invested in a recruitment brochure to promote itself and lure potential business investors into the area.

“When you go to these big retail conventions, you have to have information on hand if you want to attract potential clients to your subdivision. You have to have something to hand out,” Gregg said of the 16-page brochure compiled last year by former Mosheim Alderman Audrey Fincher. Fincher has also been assisting the City of Tusculum on a similar business-recruiting brochure.

Gregg said the idea of the brochure came from the Greene County Partnership, which had developed one for Greene County as well as municipalities.

In addition to two potential hotels at the Mosheim Crossing development site, Gregg said that a Shoney’s Restaurant franchise has also committed to the property

development.

One of the hotel franchises has expressed interest in the back side of the development site where it would be easily seen from the nearby interstate, the mayor added.

“They have already inquired about sign regulations,” Gregg noted about the hotel officials.

The mayor said meetings have also recently taken place with officials from a prospective auto parts store as well as an urgent care medical clinic.

Both are considering locating to the site.

“As far as our development, we’re really close to getting started,” Gregg said in February 2019.

But one initial business prospect, a Speedway Travel Center truck stop franchise, has backed out of the development project, Gregg said.

“They really didn’t have the room that they needed at the site,” he said.

The development team and town officials have been working with the Tennessee Department of

US Nitrogen is a proud member of the Greene County business community.

Transportation in planning for the site.

TDOT conducted a traffic study at the site in

2018 and is now offering advice about what is needed to properly control traffic flow near

the main entrance to Mosheim Crossing.

Across U.S. 11E from the Mosheim Crossing site, another potential business is also in the early planning stages.

Darlene Dixon, who owns property off Idell Road just below Tri-Am RV Center near Zoomerz, said recently that she is still developing plans for a business that she has long dreamed of having — an RV park.

Paving work was completed in February on a new road into the property from Idell Road. This road construction, which was paid for by Dixon, was part of a lawsuit settlement agreement between Dixon, Rogers Petroleum and the Town of Mosheim.

Dixon said that she has spent about $100,000 on the new 390-foot road, which, under the agreement, will be turned over to the Town of Mosheim for future upkeep.

She added that she is still hoping to turn the property into an RV park.

However, she noted that due to the cost of the roadway and legal fees it may take a little longer than she had initially anticipated.

WILLIAMS

Electric Supply

One Stop

Electrical Supplies for Commercial, Industrial, and Residential Needs

“Serving Your Complete Lighting Needs Since 1960”

3195 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy. • 638-2241 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:00; Sat. 8:30-12:00

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 9

New Owners Take Over Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram Business

BY STAFF In October, a new owner began operating the Greeneville Chrysler-DodgeJeep-Ram dealership.

Chantz Scott, who owns two other dealerships in the Tri-Cities region, purchased the dealership from Michigan-based Victory Automotive Group on Oct. 1.

The next day, Scott and his team were at the dealership transitioning operations. “We’re always looking for the right acquisition,� Scott said. “Greeneville’s always been a great area and an area we’ve also wanted to get into.�

Scott currently owns Chantz Scott Kia in Kingsport and Auto World of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, which is also a ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Ram dealership. The Greeneville dealership was rebranded as Chantz Scott ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Ram and became part of Scott’s automotive group.

Scott bought his first dealership — the Kia franchise — in 2011. The group does about $70 million in sales per year, he said.

Service operations will continue as normal, he said. The changes have also involved hiring additional sales sta and managers.

The dealership currently employs over 40 people.

The biggest change Scott said customers can expect is seeing more inventory on the lot. “We will definitely be stocking a lot more preowned vehicles, a lot more new vehicles,� he said in October. “We hope to capture that market to keep them buying local.�

When the property changed hands, there were roughly 30 used cars on the lot. As of late February, the dealership reported 115 pre-owned vehicles on its lot, hitting Scott’s goal of having 100 pre-owned vehicles on hand.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Scott is leasing the property at 300

SUN FILE PHOTO BY WENDY WILDER

Owner Chantz Scott, right, and General Manager Josh Hartford stand in the showroom of the Chantz Scott Chrysler-DodgeJeep-Ram dealership after a ribbon cutting ceremony in November.

Bachman Drive from longtime car dealer Phil Bachman’s real estate company.

Scott has no plans to build another showroom or move the dealership’s location. “We’ve committed to this property,� he said. “We will be — within 18 or 24 months — we should start doing some renovations to the facility. We’re committed to the property here.

This is a great piece of property. We’ll be here for a while.�

Scott soon brought in a new general manager to handle day-to-day operations, Josh Hartford. “Josh has worked for me for several years now,� Scott said in October. “He’s run

a couple stores for me. He’s done a great job. Josh will make sure we have a great inventory selection.�

Scott said customers and the community will notice the dealership having a greater local presence. “There’s going to be a lot of positives,â€? he said. “We hope to be very transparent and aggressive on pricing,â€? he said. “[Customers] can really expect a very dierent experience as far as our process goes.â€?

According to Hartford, the business has seen an increase in sales for both pre-owned and new vehicles. “We’re hitting our manufacturers’ objectives for the

first time in over 18 months in volume units,â€? Hartford said in November. As of February, that trend was continuing, he said, saying that 2019 was o to a “record start.â€?

Its an exciting time for our brands,� Hartford said. “The all new Jeep Wrangler was named Motortrend SUV of the year, and the all new Ram truck was named Mototortrend Truck of the year and North American Truck of the year, which are both in-stock. Also we are anticipating the arrival of the all-new Jeep Gladiator. “We have recently been approved by Chrysler to become a Business Link deal-

er,� he continued. “This will allow us to service and sell to local business and farmers by stocking many commercial vehicles, such

#

as Ram Pro-master and Pro-master City cargo vans and commercial heavy duty trucks. We are installing extra equipment in our service department to be able to work on heavy duty commercial vehicles.�

Greeneville ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Ram was, from January 2016 until March 2018, part of Greeneville Nissan, owned by Victory Automotive Group.

In March 2018, Lennie Lawson purchased the Nissan franchise and moved it to his Gateway dealerships.

Before that, the dealership was part of the Bachman-Bernard ChryslerJeep-Dodge-Ram-Nissan dealership until Bachman and Bernard sold it Victory Automotive Group in early 2016. The group also owns and operates Tri-Cities Nissan in Johnson City, Tri-Cities Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Kingsport and East Tennessee Nissan in Morristown.

Bachman opened the dealership in 1972 but has sold o several dealerships in recent years.

Victory Automotive originally announced plans to build a new Nissan showroom in Greeneville following the 2016 purchase, but those plans never materialized. “Our whole goal is to get a better inventory selection for the people of Greeneville so they don’t have to come to the Tri-Cities to purchase a car,� said Scott. “We want to make it convenient for them to shop local.�

1

Job Site in the Greeneville area

www.greenevillesun.com

# $ "

!"# $" % &

!

%

' % (( )

"

Page 10

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

INDUSTRY

e d i u G

Our employees are our #1 asset.

Midway, Tennessee

146 Cutting Edge Court Telford, TN 37690

Mosheim Welcomes

Business & Industry

More and more people and businesses are choosing to locate in Mosheim.

In Mosheim we’re ready to assist, develop and grow with Greeneville, Greene County and our industrial prospects and their projects. Infrastructure is readily available and includes water, sewer, gas, and electrical.

Mosheim is a progressive community that is growing and a desirable location for families and new industries to locate.

Come out! Look us over! Join us in our future growth and progress.

Stop in and visit the Town of

Thomas L. Gregg, Jr., MAYOR

James Foshie ALDERMAN

Dave Long, ALDERMAN

Harold Smith, ALDERMAN

David Myers, ALDERMAN

Mosheim

Join The Leading of Commercial

Manufacturer Vehicle Systems!

NOW HIRING

5080 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy. Greeneville, TN 37743 www.jostinternational.com

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 11

INDUSTRY

e d i u G

1230 Pottertown Road Midway, TN 37809

175 Holder Rd. Afton, TN 37616

C.N.C. Production Specialists

Phone 423-638-9000 • Fax 423-638-9033 www.precisionmw.com BOB CUTSHALL Cell: (423) 620-5377 TIM CUTSHALL Cell: (423) 620-5378 ROBYN CUTSHALL MURRAY Cell: (423) 620-5379

Quality American Manufacturing In God We Trust Greeneville, Tennessee www.amsee.us www.amsee.org

At Worthington Industries, we operate by a people-first philosophy rooted in the Golden Rule. That same philosophy extends to the machine operators who use our products.

Their safety and comfort is our top priority.

As industry leaders in the design and manufacture of operator cabs for mobile equipment, our expertise spans from small turf-care equipment to the largest mining trucks in the world.

115 Terry Leonard Drive, Greeneville TN 37745

920 Pottertown Road Midway, TN 37809 (423) 422-9900

WorthingtonIndustries.com #LifeAtWorthington

790 W. Andrew Johnson Highway Greeneville, TN 37745 (423) 823-9641

President Vice President Corporate Secretary

Page 12

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

John Deere Celebrates 2 Milestones In 2018, ’19

BY STAFF John Deere Power Products has celebrated two milestones in the last year: the 30th anniversary of its opening and its 5-millionth product coming off the assembly line.

Originally founded as a small, satellite factory, the Greeneville facility is now the highest volume facility for John Deere and is responsible for manufacturing many of the iconic green lawn mowers sold by the brand, company officials said.

“The production of the 5-millionth machine is a significant milestone for the Power Products team, John Deere and our loyal customers,” Factory Manager Jeff Hollett said after the early 2019 milestone.

“We take immense pride in the legacy we have built here in Greeneville, and to know we have built 5 million machines is something we are really proud of.”

The Greeneville facility currently manufactures the John Deere 100-Series models, the S240 Lawn Tractor, and the Z300 Series ZTrak and Z500 Series ZTrak zero turn mowers.

“The production of 5-million units really puts into perspective what we do here on a daily basis,” said Hollett. “It’s more than just manufacturing machines to help people tend to their lawn. It’s about our unwavering commitment to quality and integrity. This is the only way we were able to reach this milestone, which is a testament to the long-term success of John Deere Power Products.”

The Hal Henard Road facility marked its 30th anniversary on Aug. 3, with a social gathering of employees and family members, live music, and a “petting zoo” with a “free-range” potbelly pig.

Hollett told The Greeneville Sun in August, “I am very happy to be a part of John Deere Power Products’ history. This is an amazing factory.

“We build the highest quality lawn tractor and zero-turn mower in the industry. It’s no wonder that our factory has grown from just a small factory of 62 employees building walk-behind mowers, to the highest volume facility in the John Deere enterprise today.

“Thank you to our 30year veterans who 30 years ago established a culture and a winning formula that ensured our company’s growth and success.”

Since 1988, Power Products has taken pride in its many recognitions, from safety awards to manufacturing excellence. Officials credit its team-oriented culture for its success.

A total of 14 current employees have worked at Power Products since the facility’s start-up in 1988.

Those longtime employees joined 600 other employees and family members at the August anniversary celebration.

A North Carolina band, Summer Brooke and the Mountain Faith Band, played country, contemporary and bluegrass music on bluegrass instruments, while children enjoyed a bouncy house, plant potting, and a petting zoo that included a turkey, goat, and untethered potbelly pig who enjoyed barbecue leftovers.

The band members were semi-finalists on “America’s Got Talent,” according to officials.

Officials said the most popular features of the celebration were the free tours of the facility that allowed employees to show family members the specific locations where they work.

The 14 long-term employees honored at the celebration included Darla Bowman, a safety manager who lives in Afton.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes” in 30 years of employment at Power Products, Bowman said at the time.

“It’s for sure been a blessing for 30 years.

SUN FILE PHOTO BY NELSON MORAIS

William Hamilton puts drive belts on a clutch on a ZTrak mower.

SUN FILE PHOTO BY NELSON MORAIS

Jamie Babb, a team coordinator, works on the ZTrak line at John Deere Power Products.

SUN FILE PHOTO BY NELSON MORAIS

Rodney Taylor, a team coordinator, installs a battery throttle cable and a rear steering guard on a ZTrak mower.

(When I started), about 1,400 people applied, and I was one of (62) people hired.

“I remember they had breakfast and lunch ready for us during the training period. It was an awesome experience.”

Bowman said John Deere paid for her tuition at Tusculum College, which she attended in the evenings. She earned a degree in organizational management.

“I worked in all different departments of the factory. I had children

while working here. My daughter works on the 100 Series line.

“John Deere (Power Products) has been really good to me and my family.

Of course, it was hard work. But as long as you worked hard, you had promotions.

“My family was able to build a house with the salary increase I received. It’s a family atmosphere here at work,” Bowman said.

Lynn Bolton, an environmental engineer at the facility, reached his 30th anniversary of employ-

ment at Power Products on Aug. 15, he said.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s a clean atmosphere. They really care about safetly and environment. As it’s grown, it has become a little more bureaucratic, but it’s still team-based.

“The pay is good for this area. We focus on C.I. (Continuous Improvement). Overall, it’s a very good place to work.

“The biggest change is I used to work out on the floor and knew everybody, including who they hung

around with. Now I don’t know everybody. When you have over 500 employees, it’s hard to get to know everyone.”

Bolton said that despite the growth of the Greeneville facility, fortunately “there’s still a little bit of the small town atmosphere” at work.

Bolton said he was the last person hired of the first group of employees that worked at the facility.

“They called me while I was a tank gunner in the Tennessee Army National Guard,” he said.

“Here they’ve always worked well with the armed services, and giving us time off” when mililtary duties require that, he stated.

Bolton said another positive aspect about the Greeneville facility is that, “if you’re deployed, when you get back, if the pay scale has gone up, you get that higher rate.”

John Deere paid for Bolton to get an associate’s degree at Walters State Community College, and then an industrial engineering degree at East Tennessee State University, he said.

“It has been good to be part of something that started 30 years ago,” said Tony Moyers, a team leader in manufacturing.

“It took a lot of hard work back then from many people to get our reputation for quality and delivery.

I don’t think we realized at the time, but that was what we were creating — a foundation to grow on.”

In August, Rodney Taylor, a team coordinator, installed a battery throttle cable and rear steering guard on a ZTrak mower moving down the assembly line.

He said he had worked for the company for 28 years. “The people, the great atmosphere — I like everything about my job.”

He’s been a team coordinator for over 20 years, he said.

Heather Newton, a team coordinator, has worked four and one-half years at the Greeneville facility, including three years fulltime.

“I love it,” she said of her job. “I really do. I genuinely like it. The people are awesome, (though I suspect) some people probably wouldn’t agree with me.”

The 100 Series lawn tractors and the Z300 and Z500 ZTrak zero-turn mowers built in Greeneville are sold through the John Deere dealer network and mass retail partners.

The Greeneville facility has received many accolades and awards throughout the years, including the TOSHA VPP Star Award in 2003, 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2017, as well as N.S.C. “Occupational Excellence Achievement” from 2007–2014.

The plant also received the Tennessee Commissioner’s Excellence Award for three consecutive years (2012, 2013 and 2014).

The Commissioner’s Award honors Tennessee employers and their employees who together have achieved a required number of hours worked without experiencing a lost workday case and have maintained total injury and illness incidence rates below the national average. The number of hours required is based on the size of the company.

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 13

Chick-Fil-A Opens On Tusculum University Campus

BY EUGENIA ESTES STAFF WRITER A long-anticipated Chickfil-A restaurant, the first Greene County location for the popular chain, opened July 30, 2018, in Tusculum University’s Niswonger Commons.

Plans for the restaurant were announced in February 2018 by university officials.

The new restaurant is part of the food service provided by Chartwells on the Tusculum campus and is also open to the public.

It has proven popular with both students and the community at-large, with lines forming at the counter even during student breaks.

The Tusculum location is the closest to a full-service Chick-fil-A restaurant operated on a university campus, according to Chartwells Food Service Director Jimmy Sams.

The campus Chick-fil-A features the national chain’s most popular breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, although not all the menu items available at a full-service restaurant are there.

To help address the need to keep parking available near the restaurant for both campus and community members at one of the busiest places on campus, the university has reserved several spaces outside the Niswonger Commons for Chick-fil-A customers.

OPENED JULY 2018 On its first day of business in July 2018, the new Chick-fil-A was crowded with people both from the community and the campus wanting to try the new restaurant.

Sams was pleased with the crowd. “We have had a

great turnout for opening day,” he said. “The community has shown its support.”

The official first day of business was preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the restaurant on July 28. At the event, Tusculum President Dr. James Hurley worked with restaurant staff behind the counter and handed out meals to the ceremony’s guests, who were treated to a meal sponsored by the university. The Chick-fil-A Cow was also present for photographs and to encourage everyone to “Eat More Chikin.”

“This is an exciting time for Tusculum University and our entire community,” Hurley said.

“Chick-fil-A brings a new level of commitment to our students that is second to none. Chick-fil-A has always been a very popular eatery with students, and I promised them last July we would build one on campus. Thanks to our board of trustees and our new partnership with Chartwells, we will make good on that promise. We welcome Chick-fil-A to our community.”

Tusculum University Student Government Association President Kris Adams thanked Hurley for his efforts to not only bring a Chick-fil-A to campus, but also to improve food service across campus.

Chick-fil-A is part of an over $1.5 million investment by Tusculum to improve campus dining through its new partnership with Chartwells, according to campus officials.

In February 2018, Tusculum’s new partnership with Chartwells as food service provider for the campus was announced. In addition to the Chick-fil-A,

Chartwells has remodeled the university’s dining hall as the Pioneer Cafe and is pursuing additional food options for students in academic buildings.

“We are excited to be here, we are excited to be part of Tusculum,” said Chartwells Business Development Manager Shane Kimball, encouraging the students to give feedback to the food service about what they would like to see.

Students expressing their desire for additions to campus food service helped prompt the effort that resulted in the Chickfil-A to campus.

Bringing the popular restaurant chain to Tusculum became a priority, Hurley said, after hearing students say they wanted at least two national chains on campus, specifically naming Chick-fil-A, when he interviewed for the president’s position in 2017. Chartwells is working on securing another national chain to provide food service on campus, he added.

Marketing Director for the Johnson City Crossing Chick-fil-A Connie Larimer said the chain is excited to be on campus and noted that there have been requests for many years for the Atlanta-based chain to open in Greeneville.

Codell Construction of Winchester, Kentucky, was selected as the general contractor for the project and built the new restaurant inside the space formerly occupied by the Pioneer Perk coffeehouse in the commons.

The restaurant is open 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. As with all Chick-fil-A restaurants, it is closed on Sunday.

Baileyton Businesses Expanded In 2018

BY LORELEI GOFF SUN CONTRIBUTOR The Town of Baileyton experienced a business boom in 2018, with a new pharmacy and three additional restaurants at the Davy Crockett Travel Center.

The Baileyton Drug Company, located at 515 Van Hill Road, opened its doors in June. Pharmacist Matt Allen said business is good.

“Business is going as expected or exceedingly a little bit better,” Allen said. “Everybody’s been very accepting of us in the community and we’ve tried to integrate ourselves with the providers down here at the Baileyton Medical Clinic and help transition some of their patients into our patients.”

People previously had to drive 12 miles to Greeneville, 12 miles to Fall Branch, 15 miles to Bulls Gap or across the mountain to Rogersville to get to a pharmacy.

According to Allen, working with the medical clinic as a kind of health care network streamlines things for patients, and he hopes that will draw new customers to fill their prescriptions there.

Allen, who has more than 12 years of experience in pharmacy practice and is a member of the Greene County Partnership, said he enjoys operating a locally owned community pharmacy dedicated to providing personalized service to the area.

“As our slogan goes, you’re a neighbor, not a number,” Allen said.

“We’re local people. We all live here. We send our kids to the same schools that people send their kids to.

We’re eating at the same places you do. We’ll know you by your your name and treat you as if you’re one of our neighbors and do what we can to help people out.”

SUN PHOTO BY LORELEI GOFF

Baileyton Drug Company Pharmacy Technician Janie Light, right, assists customer Rick Lubow with questions about prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Allen hopes people will appreciate the security and peace of mind that come with personal service and knowing who’s taking care of their medication.

“People can speak to the pharmacist directly and get quick and knowledgeable service,” Allen said.

In addition to offering prescription medicine, the Baileyton Drug Company also carries a variety of over-the-counter products and what Allen refers to as “a lot of old-timey remedies” and holistic products like natural essential oils and homeopathic remedies as well. A section of the store provides a selection of home medical equipment.

The pharmacy also offers free delivery within a 15mile radius of the store and a free phone app to refill and manage prescriptions, Allen said.

Baileyton Mayor Tommy Casteel said he’s received positive feedback about the pharmacy since it opened last year, calling it “a real help” for area residents.

“Folks had been asking for a pharmacy for quite a few years,” Casteel said.

TRAVEL CENTER EXPANSION Casteel said he is happy about the completion of

the Davy Crockett Travel Center expansion last December too.

“It’s brought more jobs,” he said. “It looks like they’re doing real good business.”

Town Recorder Barbara Tilson said the expansion and new pharmacy has increased revenue for the town but figures are not available yet.

More business expansion is expected in Baileyton in 2019. The Baileyton KOA, a year-round campground on Horton Highway, co-owned by Karen Clouser, will begin construction on additional campsites in the coming months. Ten to 15 additional RV sites are planned for the east side of the property with another five or 10 tent sites going in at the rear of the park.

“The weather’s not cooperating but hopefully we’ll be able to begin the expansion sometime this spring,” Clouser said.

The construction is one phase of a development plan that will eventually double the size of the campground, according to Casteel. That plan includes a water feature next year, more playground equipment and an additional pool “years down the road.”

SUN FILE PHOTO BY EUGENIA ESTES

The new Chick-fil-A on the Tusculum University campus was crowded at lunch on its first day of business July 30, 2018.

Page 14

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Brian McAmis

Mark Williams

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

Lee House

Joni Parker

Justin Jeffers

Delora Bibb

Jeffrey Ward

Awards Go To Several Individuals In Local Businesses

BY CAMERON JUDD In addition to awards that went to companies, several individuals in the Greeneville-Greene County business community were honored for performance and excellence during 2018.

MCAMIS, WILLIAMS, OTHERS Awards within the Century 21 system went to several individuals in the local Century 21 Legacy office.

Sales associates receiving the President’s Producer Award in recognition of outstanding sales production and commitment to quality service were Brian McAmis and Mark Williams, both of whom were recognized by Jamie Skeen, broker and owner of Century 21 Legacy.

Century 21 system sales affiliates that earn the Century 21 Centurion award and the Century 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer award in the same calendar year receive this annual recognition. Nick Bailey, president and chief executive officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC., said, “This is an outstanding honor since only a small percentage of C21 affiliated agents receive this award.”

The Centurion Producer award honors Century 21 System sales affiliates that earn $263,000 in sales production or 70 closed transaction sides within the calendar year, according to the announcement.

To earn the Century 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award, a C21 sales affiliate must receive completed customer surveys for at least 80 percent of transactions during a calendar year, with an average survey score of at least 95 percentage or better for two consecutive years.

Other sales affiliates with Century 21 Legacy who received the Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award included: Regie Jones, Lauren Harrison, Barry Carter, Susan Miller, Gwen Lilley, Sammy Atlasy and Jessica Lutz.

The Century 21 Legacy independent office also received recognition from the national agency in the form of a President’s Award for “commitment to quality service and productivity growth” as evidenced through stringent criteria established by Century 21.

LEE HOUSE Greeneville-based Edward Jones financial advisor Lee House qualified in 2018 to participate in an Edward Jones Financial Advisor Leadership Conference recognizing financial advisors who are among the leaders in the financial services firm.

House was among the 800 financial advisors who qualified out of the firm’s 16,000 financial advisors in the U.S. and Canada, giving him the right to attend a May conference at the firm’s headquarters in St. Louis.“Qualifying for this conference shows a tremendous amount of discipline, commitment and work ethic,” said John

Rahal, an Edward Jones partner.

KEN LITTLE, OTHERS

Greeneville Sun Staff Writer Ken Little won the Malcolm Law Memorial Award For Investigative Reporting, which is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards given for journalistic accomplishments in Tennessee.

This is the second year in a row a Sun staff member has won the award.

The Associated Press Managing Editors established the award for investigative reporting in 1973, honoring Malcolm Law, who was associate editor of The Jackson Sun. Little received honors for his February 2017 story on a Greene County resident who had been involved in a murder in Florida in the 1980s after a video of a police interview with the man surfaced. Little and the Sun went to great lengths to give both the man in question — George Walter Williams — and others involved in the case a chance to comment on it. “Wow. Just wow,” the judge who made the award decision wrote of Little’s story. “It is obvious that the reporters would not take no for an answer to get this story.

Y’all went above and beyond and did a great job!”

Additionally, Sun Editor Michael Reneau and Sun Lifestyles Editor Sarah R. Gregory took a second place award in the investigative reporting category for a March 2017 story detailing the theft of a flag belonging to a group of artists, including actor Shia LaBeouf. The Sun won six other firstplace awards: former staff writer Lorelei Goff and Reneau won the features category for a series of stories on Pfc. Reece Gass, a Greene Countian killed in World War II whose remains were identified and returned home in 2017.

Staffers also won the business news category for a series of stories on US Nitrogen. Reneau won the editorials category for a series of editorials on various local issues. Little won the daily deadline category for his coverage of the April 2017 release of nitric acid vapors at US Nitrogen. “No question, this was the best story/ writing,” the category judge wrote.

Sun Director of Online Operations Brian Cutshall and Sports Editor Emeritus Wayne Phillips won the multimedia category for their ongoing coverage of the Andrew John-son Bank Ladies’ Classic basketball tournament in December 2017.

Former Sports Editor Darren Reese won first in the sports photography category for his photos covering Greeneville High School’s third state championship in football in December 2017.

Several second-place awards the TAPBME competition also went to Sun journalists for specific stories or series of stories.

These were Reneau, Reese, former Associate Editor Kristen Early and Cutshall.

JONI PARKER The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, awarded Joni Parker, general manager of the Greene County Partnership, a State Partner Scholarship.

The State Partner Scholarships recognize each recipient for their involvement in industry professional organizations, community service and their professional backgrounds. “State Partner scholarships offer executives the opportunity to attend Institute and learn about emerging industry trends, expand their organizations’ influence, and grow their peer network,” Raymond P. Towle, vice president of Institute for Organization Management at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Since its commencement in 1921, the program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber and other non-profit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates, the release says. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. At the completion of the four-year curriculum, each of the recipients receives the IOM graduate recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and their commitment to the industry.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Parker was named general manager of the Greene County Partnership in July 2017. Prior to that, she served as director of Alumni Relations at Tusculum University.

on June 4. Jeffers, manager of Jeffers Funeral-Cremation Services in Greeneville and Afton, now presides over Tennessee’s largest funeral association.

Jeffers will be responsible for preparing and running board meetings. He will also work with chairpersons of association committees and organizational staff members to assist in making sure all board members are adequately prepared for every meeting.

Jeffers is a Greeneville native, a third-generation Greeneville funeral director and a graduate of Tusculum University. Jeffers and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Greeneville along with their two children.

JOHN COMPTON The University of Tennessee board of trustees in 2018 selected a former president of PepsiCo Inc. and a Greeneville native as its next chairman. The board voted John Compton to the top spot on the board.

Compton also briefly led Pilot Flying J, the gas station chain owned by former Gov. Bill Haslam’s family. Compton is a graduate of Greeneville High School. He became a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice partner in 2015 after serving as operating advisor since 2013. Compton has also served as chairman of TruGreen, a lawn-care

company. He is a 29-year veteran and former president of PepsiCo Inc., the world’s second largest food and beverage company with more than 250,000 employees in 220 countries.

Compton’s career at PepsiCo started at Frito-Lay in 1983. In 2002, after serving in positions of increasing responsibility in a variety of operational and sales capacities, he was appointed vice chairman and president of Frito-Lay North America. He then went on to serve as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods, which included Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Oats brands and all of PepsiCo’s Latin American food and snack businesses.He became president of PepsiCo in 2011. He also served on the board of First Horizon National Corporation and was previously on the board of Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. In 2009, he was named a “CEO of Tomorrow” by BusinessWeek. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Tennessee, which has honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Business and a Torch Bearer Distinguished Alumnus, the University’s highest Alumni honor. He was also the first recipient of Greeneville City Schools’ CORE Champion Award for Distinguished Alumni.

JUSTIN JEFFERS Justin Jeffers was elected president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and is continuing his term into this year.

Jeffers was elected by association members from across the state at the 115th TFDA Annual Convention

Greeneville attorney Jeffrey M. Ward in 2018 became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

Ward was inducted before an audience of 850 people during the ceremony at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the College in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ward is a partner in the firm of Milligan & Coleman and has been practicing in Greeneville for 25 years.

He is an alumnus of The University of Tennessee College of Law and is the current president of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.

Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only, after careful investigation, to experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by high standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers cannot exceed 1 percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.

THANK YOU for voting us…

2019

Sammie Brooks as Best Backhoe Operator Sammie Brooks as Best Heavy Equipment Operator

• Free Estimates • References Available • Licensed & Insured

DELORA BIBB Delora Bibb, an employee of Morning Pointe Assisted Living, was named the 2018 Green Coat Ambassador of the Year by Greene County Partnership.

The mission of the Green Coat Ambassadors Committee is to serve as goodwill representatives for the Greene County Partnership/Chamber of Commerce by welcoming new members at various functions such as ribbon cuttings, grand openings and Business After-Hours events.

The Ambassador of the Year is awarded to the ambassador who best exemplifies the ambassador program each year.

The potential ambassador must be a member or be employed by a member in good standing of the Greene County Partnership.

JEFFREY WARD

A FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY FOR

48 YEARS! Call us for Backhoe, Demolition & Excavating Services Residential & Commercial Our team of skilled operators always put safety Àrst, delivering quality results on time and on budget.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Demolitions Basements Mass Excavating Truck Loading Backfilling Site Preparation Road Building Foundation Gravel Delivery Topsoil Delivery Pipeline Excavating Waste Removal

BROOKS Excavating & Construction 639-8828 www.brooks-excavating.com

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 15

Companies, Firms Earn Recognitions, Mark Milestones

BY CAMERON JUDD Several Greene County businesses received awards relevant to performance and professional excellence during the 2018 calendar year, or received public honors and recognitions through key achievements or milepost anniversaries.

Additionally, county businesses as a whole also received a major honor from the state in recognition of economic and community development.

Greene County’s business community at large was honored by the State of Tennessee in 2018 when then-Gov. Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development presented ThreeStar awards at the Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development.

Greene County was one of the recipients.

“The ThreeStar program is a vital component to Tennessee’s overall level of success, providing counties with a framework for continued economic and community strength,” a news release from the state said. “Annual participation in the ThreeStar program helps communities devel-op a strategy and a plan to address Gov. Haslam’s five priorities for public policy that include: jobs and economic development; fiscal strength and efficient government; public safety; health and welfare; and education and workforce development.”

LIFE CARE CENTER In January of 2018, Life Care Center of Greeneville celebrated its earning of the Business Development Award of Excellence for Life Care Centers of America’s Appalachian Region.

Life Care’s Eastern Division gave honors to one skilled nursing and rehab facility per each of its five regions. Life Care Center of Greeneville was nominated for becoming part of a new program, Purple Cities Alliance, which gives community emphasis and education regarding dementia and the resources available in coping with it.

Life Care Center of Greeneville, located at 725 Crum St., is one of 27 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Tennessee managed by Life Care Centers of America. Life Care operates or manages more than 200 skilled nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states.

THE GREENEVILLE SUN The Greeneville Sun won a dozen awards for print and online advertising excellence at the annual conference of Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Advertising & Marketing Executives in the spring of 2018.

The Sun received two first-place awards, three second-place honors and seven third-place certificates in competition among newspapers with circulations of less than 15,000 in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. A first place honor was earned for Best Black & White Ad for the Llamapalooza Imagination Library and the Andy Shapiro Award for Laughlin Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Center.

Honoring the best ads to promote cancer awareness, the Shapiro Award was presented by Metro Creative Graphics in honor of Metro chairman Andy Shapiro, who died of lung cancer in 2005. Mid-Atlantic N.A.M.E. awarded the Sun second place for Best Color Ad (July 4th Community Pride Page), Humor Ad (Hix BBQ) and Overall Web Advertising (GreenevilleSun.com). Several third-place honors also were earned by the Sun for advertising.

In the same year, the news aspect of The Greeneville Sun also was recognized in a competition sponsored by the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters and Media Editors, with 18 awards

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN

The varied and colorful world of the automobile is celebrated in Greeneville’s Car Museum, which received valuable media attention in 2018.

received. The Sun won seven first-place awards at the program in several categories. The Greeneville Sun competed in Division I, comprised of Tennessee newspapers with daily circulations of up to 15,000.

In addition to the firstplace awards, the Sun received 11 second-place awards and swept several categories by earning both first- and second-place awards in the category.

Later in the year, The Greeneville Sun also won a dozen first-place awards at the 2018 Tennessee Press Association Summer Convention. Those statewide honors recognized Sun excellence in print and online journalism, advertising and circulation. In all, the newspaper collected 30 awards for first, second or third place during the TPA event.

THE LITTLE TOP DRIVE-THRU Longtime Greeneville restaurant The Little Top Drive Thru was recognized as one of the best drivethrough restaurants in the nation on MSN.com.

Little Top was among the 30 restaurants listed in the “America’s Best Drive-Thru Restaurants” featured on the website’s Lifestyle page. The list was compiled by the LoveFood. com website, and contains primarily independently owned restaurants rather than chains.

Keith Paxton, owner of the restaurant, expressed appreciation for the recognition.

The restaurant also was featured in the January/ February issue of Blue Ridge Country magazine.

Respected food author and native of Greeneville Fred Sauceman wrote the article in the magazine that focuses on the restaurant’s signature chip burger sandwich.

The Little Top also was included in the book, “500 Things to Eat Before It is Too Late: And the Best Places to Eat Them.”

ROBERTS FURNITURE Roberts Furniture & Mattress Gallery achieved its 40th anniversary in 2019, and hosted celebrations, including a public open house, to mark the milestone.

Ed and Johnnie Roberts opened Roberts Furniture in 1978, and the business remains in family ownership 40 years later. The May 1, 1978, edition of The Greeneville Sun announced the store’s first business day.

APEX BANK For a second consecutive year, Apex Bank was named, in 2018, as the Top Performing Community Bank in Tennessee by the Independent Community Bankers Association’s “Top Performing Community Banks” industry analysis, as featured in Independent Banker magazine.

The publication also

ranked Apex Bank second in the nation, for banks with $300 million to $1 billion in assets, climbing one spot from 2017.

“We are proud to be recognized once again by ICBA as the number one Tennessee bank out of 146 banks,” said Apex President and CEO Matt Daniels said in a news release. “All the credit goes to our team members that have worked tirelessly to expand our services through customer acquisition and new office deployment.”

With the addition of six new offices since 2017 — including several in Greene County — Apex Bank now operates 13 retail offices throughout Tennessee in addition to its Knoxville-based national mortgage servicing center.

CITY GARAGE CAR MUSEUM The City Garage Car Museum was featured in 2018 in two major auto publications: Via Corsa Magazine and Cruisin’ Style Magazine.

Via Corsa Magazine lists a short directory of car museums all over the country in the first few pages of the publication.

Kent Bewley, owner of the City Garage Car Museum in Greeneville, wrote to the magazine asking if his museum could be listed in the directory.

Ron Adams, publisher of the Via Corsa Magazine, contacted Bewley shortly after hearing about the local car museum. Adams told Bewley that not only would the magazine publish the museum’s information in their directory, but would feature a story about the museum as well. The result was a six-page article by writer Chris Gilb. The museum has been featured in a few local and regional publications since its doors opened nine years ago, but the 2018 publications were the most significant, Bewley said.

LOVE SCHOOL OF MARTIAL ARTS Greeneville’s Love School of Martial Arts in the summer of 2018 received the international “School of the Year” award given by Action Martial Arts Magazine. Master Paul Love accepted the honor on behalf of the Greeneville business in ceremonies in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The award was for outstanding growth in a short period of time in a rural area. The Love School of Martial Arts is located at 323 E. Bernard Ave.

JOHN DEERE POWER PRODUCTS The John Deere Power Products facility on Hal Henard Road celebrated its 30th anniversary in August with a social gathering of employees and family members, live music, and a “petting zoo” with a “free-range” pot-

belly pig. The once-small satellite factory has grown from modest beginnings to become the highest-volume facility in the John Deere enterprise, according to officials.

Jeff Hollett, factory manager, said at the time, “I am very happy to be a part of John Deere Power Products’ history. This is an amazing factory. We build the highest-quality lawn tractor and zero-turn mower in the industry.”

TEVET LLC Representatives from Lockheed Martin Corporation presented Tevet LLC with the U.S. Small Business Admin-istrations’s Region Four Subcontractor of the Year Award during 2018.

Tracy Solomon, founder and CEO of Tevet, accepted the honor on the company’s behalf. It was the sec-

ond Subcontractor of the Year Award the company has received.

Tevet had previously won 14 different business awards, including the Ray-theon EPIC Award, which according to Raytheon, is only given to the highest-performing suppliers.

PARKER HANNIFIN, SUMIRIKO Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips honored Parker Hannifin, located in Greeneville, and SumiRiko Tennessee, located in Midway, with the Commissioner’s 2018 Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety and Health.

“These companies have demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace,” Phillips said

in a news release. “The evaluation criteria for this award are challenging, and this company has worked extremely hard to meet and exceed the standards the award requires.”

“It is a great achievement for a company to receive the Commissioner’s Award,” said Tennessee OSHA Assistant Commissioner Steve Hawkins. “Maintaining these standards isn’t easy, but a safe and healthy workplace is critical for employees and it is a good business practice for Tennessee employers.”

Parker Hannifin manufactures hydraulic motors.

The facility qualified for the Commissioner’s Award by working more than 1,034,354 hours without a lost time workplace injury or illness.

SRK Tennessee produces automotive parts and was considered for the Commissioner’s Award through working more than 1,644,154 hours without a lost time work-place injury or illness.

GOSNELL’S STEREO AND MUSIC Gosnell’s Stereo and Music doubled in size in late 2018 after expanding to the former Paintin’ Place building on Tusculum Boulevard.

The music store has been an institution in Greeneville since current owner Billy Shelton’s uncle, Farley Gosnell, started it in the 1960s. Shelton said he couldn’t bring himself to change the store’s name after Gosnell died in 2013 and he took over the business.

Apart from instruments, the store also sells vehicle audio products, vehicle accessories and citizens band radios. It also offers installation services for public address systems.

“We install everything we sell,” Shelton said.

The store is at 809 Tusculum Blvd.

When it comes to insurance

It’s good to have options

John McInturff, Jr. Vice President

PERSONAL LINES • MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS COMMERCIAL LINES • TPA SERVICES SERVICE ABOVE THE REST For over a 100 years, McInturff, Milligan & Brooks has been working hard to serve you as the leading provider of full service insurance products in the East Tennessee area. Located in Greeneville, TN, we provide a full portfolio of insurance products to cover you for personal, commercial, life insurance and TPA services for workers compensation.

Our staff takes exceptional pride in consulting with our customers to find the best available products and services available in the insurance industry at the best price. Because of our wide range of partners, we can craft any type of insurance plan to assist your home or business.

Our solutions are not limited to one particular brand, so you can have confidence that our interests and goals are aligned with yours.

John McInturff, III President

Chad Mitchel Producer

McInturff, Milligan & Brooks, Inc. Corporate Office 237 W. Summer Street Town Square Shopping Center Phone: (423) 639-5171 Fax: (423) 639-7129

Tri-State Claims Branch Office 200 East Main St., Suite 200 Kingsport, TN 37662 Phone: (423) 230-2247 Fax: (423) 245-3912

www.mmbinsurance.com

Page 16

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Friday, March 15, 2019

Bachman Bernard is Your Buick Dealer from #

1

Roanoke to Knoxville!!!

Based on 2018 Retail Sales Report for the entire year from General Motors.

Bachman Bernard sold more New Buicks than any other dealer from Knoxville to Roanoke in 2018!

Based on 2018 Retail Sales Report for the entire year from General Motors.

How Did They Do It?!?!

PRICE • SELECTION • SERVICE • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PRICE • SELECTION • SERVICE • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PRICE • SELECTION • SERVICE • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The Greeneville Sun People’s Choice Award Winner for 19 Years & Running!

2019

BACHMAN BERNARD CHEVROLET • BUICK • GMC • CADILLAC

www.BachmanBernardChevy.com Full New & Used Sales, Leasing, Service, Parts & Body Shop

3365 E. A.J. HWY. (Between Wal-Mart & Pals)

423-639-4141