Congressman Tim Burchett, right, with Randy and Jenny Boyd.
It was a beautiful evening at Cherokee Country Club for the recent induction of Jenny and Randy Boyd as East Tennesseans of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society. The annual event, honoring notable individuals from East Tennessee, has become such a popular fundraiser that it immediately sells out every year — even before invitations are issued. And that’s at $500 per ticket!
Jenny and Randy Boyd were the first couple to have received the honor together. Past honorees have included former Knoxville Mayor and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam; Jack Hanna, known as “America’s Favorite Zookeeper;” Roy Kramer, retired Southeastern Conference commissioner; Pete DeBusk, chairman of DeRoyal Industries and chair of the board of Lincoln Memorial University; philanthropist Natalie Haslam; retired University of Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer; and former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, who also served as UT president, U.S. senator and U.S. Secretary of Education.
Jenny and Randy Boyd, married for 37 years, operate as a team. Randy is president of the University of Tennessee, where he takes no salary, and is the founder of Radio Systems Corporation in Knoxville, Boyd Sports and tnAchieves. Radio Systems sells more than 4,000 pet-related products, including the Invisible Fence, and employs more than 700 people with nearly $500 million in annual sales in over 60 countries.
Jenny, a fiddle and mandolin player, in 2011 opened Boyd’s Jig & Reel, a Scottish-themed musical pub in the Old City, with the mission of preserving and promoting the shared musical heritage of Appalachia and Scotland. She also is on the boards of the Old City Association, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and the Museum of Appalachia. She helps lead The Boyd Foundation. Together, the couple has given more than $10 million to charitable causes, from entrepreneurship and education, to child and animal welfare, to mental health and the arts.
What a beautiful evening it was! View from the terrace.
The band from the Jig & Reel performed in the River Room.
Former Congressman Jimmy Duncan was there with his new bride, Vickie.
From left, Michell and Jim Clayton, Sharon Pryse, Tim and Amy Williams.
Dorry and Jeremy Floyd.
David Butler, left, and Todd Kelly Jr.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Sherri Lee.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon with her husband, Ben Barton, center, and Scott Schimmel.
City Councilmember Janet Testerman and Harrison Forbes.
From left, Krissy and Jeffrey DeAlejandro, Phyllis Nichols and Tammy White.
Jeannette Mills, left, and Pat Bright.
Sandy Martin got caught trying to photo-bomb former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, left, and Bob Page. It was funny!
Jack Williams, center, with Dr. Jack and Sylvia Lacey.
From left, Larry Kleinman, Michelle Hardin and David Martin.
Lee Ann Rogers and Steve Drevik.
Dick and Susan Williams with Congressman Tim Burchett, right.
Tom Boyd, Randy’s father, with his wife, Sandi Burdick.
Hank Dye, left, and David Keim.
Sara Hedstrom Pinnell, left, and Therese Anne and Tim Matthews.
Sharon Pryse and Thomas Zacharia.
Randy Boyd and Jim Haslam.
Kenneth Creed and Natalie Haslam.
Sheryl Linck, left, and Moody Altamimi.
Brenda and Charlie Tombras.
From left, Dr. Warren Dockter, president and CEO of the East Tennessee Historical Society; Gay and Bill Lyons; and Kelley Weatherly-Sinclair.
Dr. Warren Dockter and Catherine Vance Thompson.
Dinner, of course, did not disappoint.
Desserts were interesting. They were Randy and Jenny’s favorite sweets: his was key lime pie; hers was a donut!
Shameek and Victoria Konar.
Former Knoxville Mayor and Tennessee Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam.
Jim and Natalie Haslam.
Former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor and Joan Ashe.
John Trotter and Mollie Turner.
The Trust Company of Tennessee was well represented! From left, seated: Matt Prince, Todd Kelly Jr., Adam Davies, Jack Davidson and Chris Lambert. Standing: Sharon Pryse, left, and Sheryl Linck.
Becky and Joe Thompson, seated, with Dr. George Krisle.
Dr. Warren Dockter presenting the Boyds with their award.
Acceptance speech.
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman gives Randy Boyd a congratulatory hug.
And poses for a photo.
Randy Boyd and his mother, Dale Cuthbertson.
Father and son.
Janet Testerman with Jenny and Randy Boyd.
Friends at the end of the night. From left, Alan Carmichael, Cliff and Jacque Hawks, and Gay Lyons.
Congrats Randy and Jenny! Quite a well heeled crowd – great pictures!
Thanks for coming and giving our event such great coverage. Can you tell I’m loving my new gig as Development Director for the ETHS? This event supports the good work of the society while recognizing community leaders like Randy & Jenny–a win/win. Your photos did a great job of capturing the fun and energy in the room.
Angela: It was a great group! Fun.
Gay: You are doing a great job in your new position!
A well-deserved honor for such a generous couple.
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