Commerce December 2013 by Knoxville Chamber

INSIDE: Veterans Luncheon recap pg. 46 + Monthly Economic Indicators pg. 48

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS RIBBON CUTTINGS

CONNECT Top Achievers are recognized for their countless volunteer hours and dedication to the Ambassador Program’s mission of serving as an active volunteer extension of the Knoxville Chamber to cultivate, promote, and maintain positive relationships between the Knoxville Chamber, its members, and the community.

TOP ACHIEVERS

with the

CHAMBER

PAIGE MCDANIEL

facebook.com/KnoxvilleChamber

(1st Place) RODEFER MOSS & COMPANY, PLLC

DANIEL MONDAY (2nd Place)

twitter.com/k_chamber

Knoxville Chamber

SLAMDOT, INC.

Knoxville Chamber

Northwestern Mutual celebrated the grand opening of its new Knoxville location on Triplett Lane in October. Kevin Proffitt, Managing Director for Northwestern Mutual, is pictured center cutting the ribbon and is joined by his associates and Knoxville Chamber Ambassadors.

ROB GLASS (3rd Place) COMPUTER SYSTEMS PLUS

www.youtube.com/knoxvillechamber

NEW MEMBERS / NEW PREMIER PARTNERS BRONZE CB&I (865) 692-2600 www.cbi.com/markets/environmental/air-quality Architectural & Engineering Services Environmental Services & Equipment: Consultants

AAMCO of Knoxville (865) 694-8501 www.aamcoknoxville-kingstonpike. com Automotive Sales, Parts, & Service: Repair & Service Christopoulos & Kennedy Construction, Inc. (865) 330-3541 Construction & Contractors: General Contractors

Civis Mortgage (865) 235-1369 www.civismortgage.com Real Estate: Mortgage Banking

K. Schumpert Consulting, LLC (865) 306-1595 Business & Professional Services: Business Advisors & Consultants

Classica Media (865) 315-7418 www.ClassicaMedia.com Photography

Knoxville Vapor (865) 466-5107 www.knoxvillevaporshop.com Shopping: Specialty

Gabbyville - Virtual Receptionist Service (865) 307-3162 www.gabbyville.com Business & Professional Services

Leisure Pools (830) 387-4020 www.leisurepoolsonline.com/us Manufacturing

Insight Eyecare (865) 690-9909 www.insighteyecareknoxville.com Healthcare Providers & Services: Optometrists

Lyons HR (865) 200-8528 www.lyonshr.com Business & Professional Services: Human Resources Malone Workforce Solutions (865) 312-6522 www.malonesolutions.com Employment, Career, & Staffing Services

Microbial Insights, Inc (865) 573-8188 www.microbe.com Environmental Services & Equipment: Consultants Payment Lynk (865) 804-0825 www.paymentlynk.com Business & Professional Services: Credit Card Equipment & Processing Red Lobster Merchants Drive (865) 689-2410 www.redlobster.com Restaurants Room Directory (865) 964-3809 www.roomdirectory.net Business & Professional Svcs: Mkt. & Sales STEMspark East Tennessee STEM Hub (865) 329-8440 ext. 63649 www.stemspark.com Education & Training

CONTACT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER (865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com

FINANCE & OPERATIONS ljohnson@knoxvillechamber.com

THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (865) 546-5887

MEMBERSHIP mfield@knoxvillechamber.com

PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL EDWARDS

DESIGN LADDY FIELDS

PUBLIC POLICY & EDUCATION dsouth@knoxvillechamber.com

TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (865) 246-2663

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RHONDA RICE

WRITER JENNY WOODBERY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT dlawyer@knoxvillechamber.com

CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (865) 246-2654 mhummel@downtownknoxville.org

THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

EDITOR LORI FULLER editorial@knoxvillechamber.com

LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE (865) 523-9137 U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER (865) 545-4637

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The Etiquette Factory (865) 719-7302 www.theetiquettefactory.com Education & Training Tri-Comm Security, LLC (865) 394-9970 www.tricommsecurity.com Building & Grounds Maint.: Security Sys UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (800) 690-1606 www.uhccommunityplan.com Insurance Veridian Payroll/ HR (865) 686-5036 www.veridianpayroll.com Business & Professional Services: Human Resources Word Nerd (865) 599-6876 www.imawordnerd.com Business & Professional Services: Editing/ Writing Services

Technology’s Impact on Chamber’s Communication Efforts

ince the 1860s, the Knoxville Chamber has been a voice for business in East Tennessee. Over time, that voice has evolved and adapted to better serve its membership and the community. In the past few years, the Chamber has built a strong online presence and embraced social media as a way to connect with its members.

Web-savvy With a finger on the pulse of digital communications, the Chamber has amplified its Web presence by enhancing existing pages and creating new sites and tools to give more information gathering options to its members. The Chamber’s website, www.knoxvillechamber.com, was redesigned last year to make it more user-friendly and informative to visitors. The website serves as a onestop shop for members and prospective members to read up on the latest news, and learn more about the Chamber’s departments, staff and events, among other things. “We wanted our website to be cutting edge, both in design and content, to better serve our members and inform prospective members about our organization,” said Mark Field, senior vice president of membership for the Chamber. The Chamber’s website also offers several online tools for members to take advantage of, such as SpeakUp4Biz and Chamber Member MD. SpeakUp4Biz is an online advocacy tool that members can use to voice their support or concern regarding public policy issues. This system offers an easy way for members to com-

municate with their local and state elected officials. For small businesses, Chamber Member MD is a wonderful online diagnostic tool to help owners identify potential hazards that might be in their way. After taking the online assessment, it offers recommendations on how to avoid pitfalls via Chamber Member Rx. Another site the Chamber offers is www.iKnowKnoxville.com. The interactive business directory not only allows people to find member businesses, but also gives members the opportunity to promote their business. iKnowKnoxville furnishes a directory page for each Chamber member. Members then have the option to build out their page and make it an advertising tool. The website for Innovation Valley, the Chamber’s regional economic development initiative, also got a revamp in the past several months. The new visually enticing www.knoxvilleoakridge.com offers a wealth of information for site selectors and businesses looking to relocate to, or expand in, the region.

Getting Social Engaging the business community through social media has added another facet to how the Chamber communicates with its members and prospective members. “When you join the Knoxville Chamber, we invite you to our events programmed specifically for networking, as well as educational- and legislative-centered meetings,” Field said. “The value of face-to-face networking opportunities is priceless.

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See “Technology” on pg. 44

“Technology” continued from pg. 43 But so are the online relationships that the Chamber facilitates for our members through social media. As a social media-savvy Chamber, we want to be the business communications hub of the community. Our members’ visibility in the community and the quality and quantity of their local relationships should increase dramatically from the Chamber’s social media activities.” The Chamber actively uses Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube to create unique content and connect with the community on a day-to-day basis. The Chamber’s use of these outlets has garnered it national recognition as OnlineMBApage.com named it No. 5 on a list of The Top 100 Most Social Media Friendly Chambers of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Dallas Regional Chamber, and Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce joined Knoxville in the top five. “Social media has become such an important part of media reach for both businesses and the social aspect of the community,” Field said. “This (ranking) validates the Knoxville Chamber’s continued mission of providing members and the business community with valuable information and interaction.” To determine the most social media friendly chambers, the website’s staff evaluated nearly 550 chambers across the country on the number of followers, likes, pins, etc. The top 100 chambers were then scored on a 100-point scale, with 27

points for Facebook, 26 points for Twitter, 21 points for LinkedIn, 19 points for YouTube, and a total of seven points for Flickr, Google Plus, and Pinterest. The Knoxville Chamber scored 89.3. Beyond gaining recognition from OnlineMBApage.com, Frank J. Kenny, who is a national expert and author on chamber social media use, has often praised the Chamber for its excellence in the social arena. “When speaking at conferences, I often share examples of chambers that are out in front on social media,” Kenny said. “I almost always mention the Knoxville Chamber. They consistently produce solid content with strong graphics, and they focus on relationship building over selling. They get it. They are simply very good at using digital media in telling the Chamber’s story.”

GET SOCIAL!

@K_Chamber Chamber @K_ChamberEdu Workforce & Education @KnoxOakRidgeIV Economic Development Like Us On www.facebook.com/knoxvillechamber www.facebook.com/Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley

www.pinterest.com/K_Chamber www.youtube.com/ knoxvillechamber

Christmas in the City Returns to Downtown Knoxville The City of Knoxville’s annual holiday festival, Christmas in the City, kicked off recently with the lighting of the 38foot Christmas tree in Krutch Park and the opening of the ice rink on Market Square. While Home Federal Bank’s Holidays on Ice and the Regal Celebration of Lights are two of the most recognized highlights of Christmas in the City, there are events scheduled throughout December that make Knoxville a holiday destination. Grab a coat and some hot chocolate and set up a chair along Gay Street on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. to enjoy the WIVK Christmas Parade. The parade, which is also aired on WVLT-TV, is a longstanding Knoxville Christmas tradition and includes floats, bands, and of course the jolly old elf himself. Comcast Christmas in the Park will be held Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in Chilhowee Park. The event features a forest of lighted trees floating on the lake, train rides, pictures with Santa, and much more. Additionally, the park is open for nightly self-guided light-gazing through Jan. 1. Regal Cinemas offers special holiday-themed movies throughout the Christmas season at the Regal Riviera Stadium 8 on Gay Street. Check the full list by visiting www.regmovies.com. There is also a full slate of Knoxville Ice Bears home games throughout the month of December. Visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com to see the team’s entire schedule. While walking the streets of downtown Knoxville, keep an eye out for window displays created by businesses, including the Knoxville Chamber, and log on to www.facebook.com/cityofknoxvillespecialevents to vote for your favorite window

display. Post a picture taken in front of the Chamber’s window display using the hashtag #KnoxvilleChamber and it might appear in the February edition of Commerce. To view the entire list of Christmas in the City events, including performances at the Tennessee Theatre and Clarence Brown Theater, visit www.cityofknoxville.org/christmas/ and download the brochure.

THE BUSINESS OF CHRISTMAS

Downtown business owners know when the ice rink goes up, so does business. “We keep looking out there in anticipation,” said Josh Poore, manager of Blue Coast Grill and Bar. Formerly known as Blue Coast Burrito, the restaurant located at the northwest end of Market Square has redecorated and redesigned their entire concept, including some new savory specials just in time for the holidays. Poore and Chef Curtis Bates are hoping to deliver more variety for the downtown dining crowd, including a creative hot tea cocktail infused with cinnamon. The new menu features a substantial wine list meant to be shared in the loft area upstairs, decked out with faux fur rugs, leather furniture, chandeliers, and even a gas fireplace across from the grooved steel bar. “We want to offer something different, more like a destination or getaway,” said Poore. Bryan McKey, assistant manager of Tupelo Honey Café, said the festivities downtown seem to generate not only business, but also a sense of community. “I think the city’s done a phenomenal job of bringing together a community,” he said. “Knoxville’s been a good home for us.” Chamber intern Libby Perry contributed to this story.

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Community Comes Together to Recognize Veterans at Annual Luncheon The East Tennessee Military Affairs Council hosted the 31st annual Veterans Day Luncheon on Nov. 11 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The annual luncheon, sponsored by ETMAC since 1996 and coordinated by the Knoxville Chamber, has brought together the community to celebrate those who have served their country. This year, more than 500 guests were in attendance, including veterans, active duty, guard, and reserve personnel, and community and government leaders.

“The annual luncheon serves as an opportunity for local community leaders to show appreciation of the sacrifices of our veterans and their families, and to recognize the special bond of service the attendees share,” said Patrice Collins, economic development assistant for the Knoxville Chamber and event coordinator. ”This is highlighted by honoring the local active duty enlisted troops and future military leaders, who along with the Veterans in attendance, represent the rich tradition of military service in East Tennessee.” Collins has helped ETMAC organize the event for the past six years. “ETMAC is extremely fortunate to have the dedicated, tireless and exceptionally capable support of Patrice Collins, the Chamber’s liaison to our organization,” said ETMAC President Barry Allen. “We fondly refer to her as our ‘Command Sergeant Major.’ We take our orders from her, and we know she will never let us down. Fortunately for us, she is always at the top of her game.”

The East Tennessee Military Affairs Council’s Veterans Day Luncheon drew more than 500 guests to the Knoxville Convention Center.

WBIR Anchor John Becker served as the emcee of the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council Veterans Luncheon.

Members of the University of Tennessee Air Force ROTC attended the ETMAC annual Veterans Day Luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center on Nov. 11. Left to right: Front row – Cadet Emily Tumlin, Cadet Ben DiGiovanna, Cadet Jocie Hofstra, Cadet Cheyenne White. Back row – Lt. Col. B. Jack Lancaster, Capt. Mike Wilson, Staff Sgt. Patrice Gadsden, Cadet Zachary Rutledge

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Employers, Veterans Turnout for Hiring Our Heroes Event In October, the Knoxville Chamber partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring its Hiring Our Heroes event to the Grande Events Center. This one-of-a-kind free job fair gives veterans and military spouse access to dozens of employers, as well as employment workshops. This is the first time the national event has been held in Knoxville and it had a terrific turn out with 31 employers represented and 146 job seeking veterans in attendance. “It was an honor for The Knoxville Chamber to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help our veterans and their spouses secure employment,” said Mark Field, senior vice president of membership for the Knoxville Chamber. “The room was full of great Knoxville employers eager to look at potential candidates to add to their workforce.” Ernie Lombardi, the southeast regional associate for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said these events greatly benefit a community, because they showcase employers that are friendly to veterans and want them on their team. “With more than a million service members expected to leave the military over the next five years, and with national rates of unemployment for some of these groups higher than their civilian counterparts, there is great opportunity for our employers to hire highly skilled and leadership oriented candidates,” Field said. “Hiring our Heroes is a win-win for our community.” To learn more about the Hiring Our Heroes program and to access its online job-hunting tools, visit www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Mike DiStefano & Harvey White

Harvey White

Mike DiStefano

When it comes to running Pinnacle Financial Partners in Knoxville, Harvey White and Mike DiStefano keep the company’s vision close to heart: “To be the best financial services firm and the best place to work in Tennessee.”

Based out of Nashville, Pinnacle Financial Partners has been a part of the Knoxville community for six years. The company employs 66 associates at four offices in Knoxville. As Knoxville president, White overseas all operations for the market. He also acts as the senior credit officer for the Knoxville branch and the chief credit officer for Pinnacle statewide. Though in an executive role, White said he considers himself a support person for Pinnacle’s front line bankers. “I think I am more of a servant leader,” White said. “We hire experienced, professional, and motivated people, so they do not need to be micromanaged. I am here to help them in any way I can, but I avoid getting in their way.” DiStefano is executive vice president for the Knoxville operations, and also manages the client advisory group, which serves the area’s owner-managed businesses and affluent consumers. He describes his leadership style as chameleon-like, as it changes from circumstance to circumstance. “Most of the time (my leadership style) is collaborative, given the fact that I work with such experienced bankers; however, it is sprinkled with a vision for where we want to go, and the willingness to do the hard things that need to be done for everyone to be successful,” DiStefano said. “At the same time, I lead by working to move the obstacles out of our associates’ way so that they can do their jobs and accomplish their goals.” Both from the Knoxville area, White and DiStefano agree there is no better place to live or work than in Knoxville. “In the six years that Pinnacle has had a presence in Knoxville, our growth has been very gratifying to us,” White said. “We could not have done it without the assistance of the Knoxville community and the help of the many associates, clients, and friends that have supported us. We appreciate that support and expect to be an active part of the Knoxville community for many years to come.” DiStefano added, “Knoxville has the friendliness of a small town, plus a wide variety of activities that a big city offers, coupled with the natural beauty of the region. (After years of travel) I’ve come to the conclusion that I would not want to live, work or raise a family anywhere else than in East Tennessee.”

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MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

(Oct. 2013)

NOTES - Knoxville MSA includes: Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon & Union Counties. Some September & October 2013 data was not available in time for publication due to the federal government shutdown.

WORKFORCE

HOUSING MARKET

Resident Labor Force Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.

% Change Oct. ’12Oct. ‘13

Oct. 2013

Sept. 2013

Oct. 2012

% Change Sept. ’13Oct. ‘13

NA NA NA NA

234,665 369,577 3,139,282 155,779,000

NA NA NA NA

NA NA

334,600 2,743,600

NA NA

NA NA NA

15,740 26,010 270,990

NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA

5.9 6.2 7.5 7.5

NA NA NA NA

Note: May workforce numbers were unavailable at time of printing.

Non-Ag Employment Knoxville MSA Tennessee

Residential Closings Residential Inventory Median Residential Price

Sept. 2013 1,156 11,709 $145,900

Unemployment Rates Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.

Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

INFLATION RATES -

*Southeast Region Avg. U.S. Avg. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

% Change Oct. ’11Oct. ‘13 NA NA

Oct. ’12-‘13

Sept. ’12-‘13

Oct. ’11-‘12

NA NA

1.4 1.2

1.9 2.2

NA NA

% Change Oct. ’12Oct. ‘13

Knoxville (City)

Total Single-Family Multi-Family

Aug. 2013* 22 22 0

Aug. 2012 16 16 0

% Change Aug. ’12Aug. ‘13 37.5 37.5 0.0

Knox Co.

Total Single-Family Multi-Family

125 123 2

83 81 2

50.6 51.9 0.0

Knoxville MSA

Total Single-Family Multi-Family

154 152 2

111 109 2

38.7 39.4 0.0

Tennessee

Total Single-Family Multi-Family

1,667 1,271 396

1,564 1,135 429

6.6 12.0 -7.7

Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee

Oct. 2013

Sept. 2013

Oct. 2012

% Change Sept. ’13Oct. ‘13

46,394,733 64,578,639 592,089,008

46,711,449 65,761,292 590,714,853

45,323,371 63,356,009 575,340,846

-0.7 -1.8 0.2

2.4 1.9 2.9

12,951,136 18,311,085

12,763,312 17,744,272

-0.4 -1.5

1.1 1.6

AIR SERVICE (MCGHEE-TYSON AIRPORT)

Passengers Cargo

Aug. 2013 151,029 7,560,296

July 2013 162,233 6,797,296

Aug. 2012 146,995 8,577,151

Source: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority

Local Sales Tax Knox Co. Knoxville MSA

*All 2013 building permit data is preliminary and therefore subject to revision throughout the year. Sources: U.S. Housing & Urban Development – SOCDS – State of the Cities Data Systems; U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey

*South – City Size Class B/C

SALES TAX REVENUE - STATE & LOCAL ($) State Sales Tax

883 14,636 $140,325

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - ALL ITEMS % Change Sept. ’12Oct. ‘13

Sept. 2012

12,901,447 18,036,271

Source: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue

RETAIL SALES - NATIONAL (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) Category Total Retail Sales Building Materials Clothing Stores Electronics & Appliances Food & Beverage Stores Food Svcs & Drinking Places Furniture & Home Furnishings Gasoline Stations General Merchandise Stores Health & Personal Care Stores Miscellaneous Stores Motor Vehicle & Parts Sales Non-store Retailers Sporting Goods/Books/ Hobby/Music

Sept. 2013

Aug. 2013

402,624 25,167 18,770 7,708 52,546 44,914 8,286 45,243 50,320 22,719 10,405 74,878 34,821

442,656 26,955 21,978 8,358 55,898 47,985 9,036 48,859 55,260 23,790 11,339 88,835 35,840

390,169 23,323 18,643 7,572 51,501 43,697 7,960 46,782 50,410 21,723 9,799 70,863 31,109

% Change Aug. ’13Sept. ‘13 -9.0 -6.6 -14.6 -7.8 -6.0 -6.4 -8.3 -7.4 -8.9 -4.5 -8.2 -15.7 -2.8

6,847

8,523

6,787

-19.7

Sept. 2012

% Change Sept. ’12Sept. ‘13 30.9 -20.0 4.0

Source: Knoxville Area Association of Realtors

Available Labor Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee

Aug. 2013 1,355 12,607 $154,900

% Change Aug. ’13Sept. ‘13 -14.7 -7.1 -5.8

% Change Sept. ’12Sept. ‘13 3.2 7.9 0.7 1.8 2.0 2.8 4.1 -3.3 -0.2 4.6 6.2 5.7 11.9 0.9

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report

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EST. 1869

% Change July ’13Aug. ‘13 -6.9 11.2

% Change Aug. ’12Aug. ‘13 2.7 -11.9

Chamber Adds Three New Faces to Staff The Knoxville Chamber welcomes three new staff members to its team.

Kayla Witt A recent public relations graduate of the University of Tennessee, Kayla Witt has joined the Chamber as marketing coordinator for Innovation Valley. Her primary duties include managing all marketing for Innovation Valley, including social media and updating www.knoxvilleoakridge.com. Witt also assists the membership department with internal sales support and promoting iKnowKnoxville.com, the Chamber’s online member directory. Before assuming her current role, Witt worked as a membership intern for the Chamber while she was a student at UT. Witt said she hopes to increase brand awareness for Innovation Valley, as well as letting member businesses know what an asset an iKnowKnoxville page can be to their business.

Danielle South Danielle South was recently hired to fill the Chamber’s director of public policy and education vacancy. In her role, South will be advocating for the Chamber’s members in public policy issues and promoting/advancing education to ensure that the workforce supply meets businesses’ needs. Originally from Indianapolis, South has lived in Knoxville for the past four and a half years with her husband, and will earn her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee on Dec. 13. Prior to joining the Chamber, she was a fourth-grade teacher in Atlanta. South said she’s looking forward to helping the region become known for its talented workforce and advocating for the business community.

Lindsay Hammill A Knoxville native, Lindsay Hammill joins the organization as project manager for the Chamber’s economic development department. As project manager, her role includes recruiting companies in the energy, transportation, corporate services, creative media, technology, and advanced manufacturing sectors to relocate or expand in Innovation Valley. Prior to joining the Chamber, Hammill worked as the director of business development for Strategic Performance Group in Herndon, Va. Hammill said she looks forward to bringing more businesses and high-paying jobs to Innovation Valley.

Chamber Advocacy Efforts Help Lighten the Burden on Heavy Loads For the past 15 years, third-party trucking permit companies have paid a premium to secure permits from the Tennessee Department of Transportation for rigs with overweight/over-dimensional loads to travel the roadways in Tennessee. However, thanks to the Knoxville Chamber, that burden has been lightened. In the interest of public safety and highway preservation, Tennessee, like all other states, requires overweight or over-dimensional trucks to obtain a special permit to travel within its borders. However, Tennessee’s escrow fee for third-party providers securing these permits was nearly triple what all other states charge at $25,000. Locally operated Coast 2 Coast Trucking Permits, which is a thirdparty provider of overweight/ over-dimensional permits, brought the extremely high rate to the Chamber’s attention in April. “Advocating on behalf of the business community has been part of the fabric of chambers of commerce since their inception,” said Danielle South, director of public policy and education for the Chamber. “The Chamber is heavily involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of our members and the business community at-large. When we were made aware of the extremely high fee being waged on these companies by the state, we dug into the issue to see what kind of assistance we could provide in navigating the bureaucracy.” The Chamber promptly reached out to the Tennessee Department of Transportation about the escrow amount. Sandy Burney, assistant supervisor of overweight/over-dimensional permits at TDOT, explained that the high escrow requirement had been set in 1998 because the process of the labor intensive process of setting up a third-party provider, like Coast 2 Coast, in the system. The steep rate was also intended to create high barriers to only allow legitimate third-party permit providers to sign on. However, now that the process is no longer labor intensive and Web-based, Burney said the contract needed to be revisited. In October, George Thompson, director of marketing and development for Coast 2 Coast Trucking Permits, was contacted by TDOT and notified the escrow amount was reduced from $25,000 to $5,000. “Without the help and support of the Chamber, I do not believe we would have had the escrow amount lowered at all,” Thompson said. “The Chamber has truly made it much easier for us to do business in and with our own state instead of outsourcing to other companies.” Thompson added, “If people were to ask me ‘Why did you join the Chamber?’ I would sum it up in one word, ‘Results!’”

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INNOVATION VALLEY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Jim LaPinska Northwestern Mutual Age: 28 Title: Field Director/Financial Representative

Company: Northwestern Mutual Education: Bachelor of Art in Business and Economics from Maryville College

Hometown: Venice, Fla. YP affiliation: Membership Chair, Young Professionals of Knoxville Community involvement: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2013 Man of the Year; Board Member for Dogwood Arts; United Way Cabinet - Young Leaders Society; Executive Committee to the Board of Governors – Club LeConte; Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees

Favorite thing to do in Innovation Valley on the weekend: Spend quality time with my beautiful fiancée, and take in the sights and sounds of downtown and Market Square The Knoxville Chamber and Innovation Valley have partnered with six locallyestablished young professional organizations to recognize outstanding young professionals on a monthly basis. To nominate a YP deserving of recognition, fill out and submit the online form located at: http://www.knoxvillechamber. com/innovation-valley-young-professionals-spotlight.

New Phone Line Offers One-Call Solutions For Current Chamber Members At the Knoxville Chamber, customer service and satisfaction is the No. 1 priority of the member services team. Over the past year, the team has been developing more ways it can better serve its members. The result – the new member services phone line. The new member services phone line will be a one-call solution for current members with questions, concerns, or comments to use. Melissa Spangler, vice president of membership services for the Knoxville Chamber, said the new phone line was born out of another tool to provide excellent customer service – the customer service satisfaction survey. “Through the survey, we found that some members had a hard time reaching the right person on the first call,” Spangler said. “We try to keep that to a minimum, but sometimes it happens.” However, Spangler said the creation of the new phone line will eliminate that problem since it will ring to the entire members services team – Lauren Longmire, Leslie Smith, Shannon Reeves, and Spangler. “Our goal is to provide excellent customer service to our members,” Spangler said. “The member services phone line will provide our members with quick answers and solutions to any questions or problems.” Spangler said the member services phone line has been active for several weeks and they’ve already gotten a great response from members. She encourages members to continue taking the customer satisfaction survey, so more services, like the phone line, can be improved or created. The survey can be found on www.knoxvillechamber.com. Respondents who complete the survey are entered to win a $50 Pilot Flying J gas card that is given away quarterly. Current members can call the member services the line at 865-246-2635. For those looking to become a new member of the Chamber, please call 865-637-4550.

Thanks for making Knoxville the new home of your U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility!

www.leisurepoolsonline.com

www.knoxvilleoakridge.com

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Mentor/Protégé Program Subject of International Study The Knoxville Chamber’s Doug Minter recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to present a research paper on businessto-business mentoring at the International Academy of Management and Business conference. Minter, who is in charge of the Propel mentor/protégé program at the Chamber, partnered with Dawn Chandler of Queens University of Charlotte to produce the paper, “Business to Business Mentoring: A Qualitative Investigation of an Unexplored Phenomenon.” The study’s primary aim was to determine mentor and protégé benefits of participation, dyad challenges, and suggestions for program improvement. “I’ve been involved with business-to-business mentoring for years with Propel, and was surprised about the lack of academic research on the subject,” Minter said. Looking to remedy this, he reached out to Chandler, who specializes in personto-person mentoring, and proposed collaborating on an analytical study on busi-

ness mentoring relationships. The duo used an inductive research model and gathered and coded survey and interview data from 16 mentor and 17 protégé companies participating in an ongoing three-year program facilitated by the Knoxville Chamber. The results of the study suggested that there are unique benefits to mentor/ protégé relationships such as increased protégé company revenues and contracts, and enhanced protégé business models. It also suggested challenges in such relationships, like business/industry dissimilarity that impedes the formation of meaningful partnerships, and unique suggestions for program improvement, like more social networking opportunities for mentors. Minter said the study gives the Propel program credibility from a research perspective. “It gives us justification that what we started is a worthwhile effort,” Minter said. “A lot of times when you start a program you don’t know if it will be sustainable. This study also highlights areas that we need to improve.” The paper will now be submitted for publication in the International Journal of Management and Business.

PROPEL MENTOR/PROTÉGÉ PROFILE Protégé: Martin Wade, M&W Realty Properties Mentor: Matt Chambers, Johnson & Galyon Construction When a 100-year-old construction firm is paired with a startup remodeling service, you would think there would be very little common ground. Take a closer look, though, and they have a very similar mission: “to provide exceptional quality contracting and construction management services to the Knoxville area in an ethical manner and at a fair price.” This mission statement, adopted by mentor company Johnson & Galyon, can also be applied to its protégé business, M&W Realty Properties. “As a general contractor my target customers are focused on quality kitchen and bathroom renovations, updating, and remodeling,” said Martin Wade, owner of M&W Realty Properties. “We work with our clients to select the best materials and options to come up with the project of their dreams.” Johnson & Galyon is known for its quality and unique approach to such notable projects as the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, Café 4, UHS Heart Hospital, and the Knoxville Transit System station. Mentor Matt Chambers said that mentoring falls in line with the core values of the firm. “Everyone’s success is dependent on the success of everyone around you,” is the company’s mantra he said. “I value the opportunity to help a growing company get past a hurdle or bypass a challenge that will ultimately enable them to reach their goals faster than they might have without my assistance. The more companies we can help grow to become better vendors, subcontractors, potential clients, etc., the more opportunities there will be for all of us.” Wade said that Chambers has helped him develop new approaches to

almost everything they do, including offering “handyman” services to his customers. The two have also brainstormed a concept that helps make remodeling more affordable by utilizing the homeowner as part of the remodeling team. Matt Chambers Martin Wade “I have learned from my mentor a true outlook on the future of my business. Our monthly meetings have been invaluable to my growth,” Wade said. “We have referred business back and forth, but the most important benefit I’ve received from Matt is the motivation to keep going. With the economic crisis we are in, a lot of contractors are not doing well. I am choosing to fight through these times in hope of a bright future.” Propel is now accepting applications for the 2014 mentor/protégé class. For more information about Propel’s mentor/protégé program call program director Doug Minter at 865-246-2662 or email him at dminter@knoxvillechamber. com. This story was written by Doug Minter, program director of the Propel mentor/ protégé program.

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The Largest Academic Gains in the Country This is a reprint of a letter Gov. Bill Haslam sent out to stakeholders on Nov. 14. You may have heard, but our state received some great news about education last week. Tennessee showed the largest student academic gains of any other state, according to the 2013 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a highly-regarded independent assessment known as the “nation’s report card.” Tennessee also had the largest growth of any state in a single testing cycle since NAEP began nationwide testing a decade ago. To put it this way: the education reporter for the Wall Street Journal tweeted shortly after the results were released that Tennessee “blew it out of the water.” Our state’s fourth and eighth graders were tested in reading and math, and Tennessee students made significant growth on all four of the tests. Here are a few key points worth highlighting: – Tennessee’s scores showed students improving half a grade level compared to just two years ago. – Tennessee moved from scoring in the bottom 10 in the country on all four tests in 2011, to scoring within one point of the national average on 3 of the 4 tests in 2013. Essentially, we are now in the 30s instead of the 40s on state rankings, and within sight of the national average. – Tennessee showed extremely strong progress for African American students. We also accomplished this growth while significantly increasing the participation rates for students with disabilities. This is a historic achievement driven by the hard work of educators, students, parents, school board members, lawmakers and many others. I see my time in office as part of a bigger picture. It is like being in a relay race. I took the baton that was handed to me, and it is my job to advance the state and hand the baton off further up the track. The process of raising expectations in Tennessee by raising academic standards started in 2009 under my predecessor Governor Phil Bredesen. It was a bipartisan effort that spanned two administrations, and it changed the conversation in the state. Since taking office, this administration’s goal has been for Tennessee to be the fastest improving state in the nation by the year 2015. While we can say that today, we know there is more work to do. We aren’t satisfied that we’re in the 30’s and below the national average, but these gains are certainly a remarkable achievement. I am extremely grateful for of all the hard work of our teachers and students. We’re expecting more from them, and they’re responding. I have enjoyed celebrating this great news with them and am thankful for the opportunity to share it with you today. – Bill P.S. I’m always interested in your thoughts on the important issues facing our state – feel free to share them by emailing bill.haslam@tn.gov.

UPCOMING EVENTS

DECEMBER 5

BAH Humbug Holiday Party 5-8 p.m. • Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park, 525 Henley Street Sponsored by:

DECEMBER 10 New Member Orientation 4-6 p.m. Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square

Presented by:

DECEMBER 17 Bright Ideas Seminar: “Worker’s Compensation Reform: Be Prepared!” Presented by Debra Fulton of Frantz, McConnell & Seymour, LLP 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square $25 for members/$35 for non-members