Jim Haslam: “East Tennessean of the Century!”

Jim Haslam speaking after being honored as East Tennessean of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society. In addition to discussing the importance of integrity, he made a plea for civility in politics citing a quote from one of his mentors, Howard Baker, Jr., who famously said, “the other guy might be right.” (Photo by Eric Manneschmidt.)

The East Tennessee Historical Society bestowed its “East Tennessean of the Year” award for the tenth time earlier this week and it went to Jim Haslam, a well-known community leader and founder of Pilot Company, headquartered in Knoxville and employing more than 28,000 people nationwide.

In announcing the award, University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd, himself a previous winner, expressed incredulity that Haslam had not received it sooner. “I now declare Jim Haslam the East Tennessean of the century!” Boyd said from the podium to loud applause.

In addition to his business acumen, Haslam and his family are known for their philanthropic support of UT and many other East Tennessee cultural pillars. The James A. Haslam II College of Business at UT was named for him after a landmark $50 million gift. The Haslam Family Foundation has contributed many millions of dollars to community organizations such as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Museum of Art, Emerald Youth Foundation and Lakeshore Park.

A winner of the national Horatio Alger Award, Haslam is a member of the board of the Trust Company of Tennessee. He has served as a director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, First American Bank, AmSouth Bank, and Appalachian Life Insurance Company. He was a member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees for 27 years and has been board chair of the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Knoxville, Webb School of Knoxville, the Public Building Authority, and United Way of Greater Knoxville.

Haslam often speaks about the importance of giving back to the community. He is married to Natalie Leach Haslam, herself a former East Tennessean of the Year honoree, and together they have six adult children, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

The event on Wednesday was held at Cherokee Country Club and was sold out at $500 per seat even before tickets were officially offered for sale. About 280 people attended. Other previous winners are Bill Haslam, Jack Hanna, Roy Kramer, Pete DeBusk, Phillip Fulmer, Lamar Alexander, Jenny and Randy Boyd, and Rick Barnes.

Mingling in the River Room started the evening. You wouldn’t believe the noise level!

Raja Jubran, left, and former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe.

Randy and Jenny Boyd with Gay Lyons, right. As chief development officer for the East Tennessee Historical Society, Gay was in charge of the event.

From left, Nikki and Eric Elliott with Sam Albritton, the chair of the East Tennessee Historical Society’s board.

UT Provost John Zomchick and Emily McCaul, regional field director of U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty’s office.

Raja Jubran, center, with his son and daughter-in-law Omar and Julia Jubran, left, and other son and daughter-in-law Callie and Nadim Jubran, at right.

Tommy Schmid and Sharon Pryse.

From left, Bill and Donna Cobble with Dick Williams.

Charles and Nancy Wagner.

Katie Kline, left, and Ann Bodie.

Judith Foltz and Jerry Lenn.

From left, from the Pilot table, Christopher Hamilton, Wendy Hamilton, Kevin Counts, and Jared Frank.

Sheryl Linck and Garry Conklin.

John and Lauren Miller.

From left, Joey Creswell, Janet Testerman, Michael Grider, and Holly Hambright.

“I don’t do black tie,” Holly insisted. Still, she wanted to prove that she did apply mascara in honor of Mr. Haslam!

Sylvia Lacey, left, and Becky Thompson.

From left, Sandi Swilley, Michelle Hardin, and Susan Brown.

Music was provided by students from the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at UT. From left, Noor Chang, Jase Conley, Asher Humphrey, and Bruno Osega-Rios.

We were called into the ballroom where beautiful tables were set. Gay Lyons explained that she picked the orange napkins because of Jim Haslam’s association with UT and the blue napkins denoted Natalie Haslam’s favorite color.

The mingling continued! From left, Steve Bailey, former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, and David Colquitt.

UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman with Charles Tombras, left, and Dooley Tombras.

From left, Samantha Lacy, Bill and Gay Lyons, Tammy White, and Avice Reid.

WBIR reunion! Margie Nichols, a former news director there; Jeff Lee, former general manager; and John Becker, current news anchor and the evening’s emcee.

Lee Ann Tolsma, left, and Michelle Hardin.

From left, Joe Pryse, Ann and Steve Bailey.

From left, retired Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade, Chioma Iheanacho, Hallerin Hill, and Heath Shuler.

Ben and Sara Hedstrom Pinnell with Annie Haslam Colquitt, at right.

From left, Bill and Elisabeth Sansom, Charles and. Brenda Tombras, John Trotter, and Mollie Turner.

Finally folks were persuaded to sit down for dinner. From left, John Becker, Dick and Susan Richardson Williams.

Justice Gary and Sandy Wade.

Former Tennessee Governor and Knoxville Mayor Bill and Crissy Haslam.

From left, Bob Page, Katie Kline, and Cheryl Massingale.

Jim and Natalie Haslam.

Whitfield and Brittany Bailey.

From left, Victor Ashe, Susan Brown and Katie Kline.

From left, Janet Testerman, Joey Creswell, and Susan Brown.

Jim and Natalie Haslam enjoying John Becker’s introduction. (Photo by Eric Manneschmidt.)

Speakers, clockwise from top left: Jim Haslam; Warren Dockter, president and CEO of the East Tennessee Historical Society; John Becker; and Randy and Jenny Boyd.

The man of the hour. (Photo by Eric Manneschmidt.)

Does Jim Haslam look happy? That’s because the program ended early — at 8:20! (Photo by Eric Manneschmidt.)

But I stayed to take a few more photos. From left, Jerry and Emily Lenn with Alan Carmichael.

Jeff Lee and Kati Blalock.

At the end of the night, Warren Dockter congratulated Gay Lyons on a super successful event.

 

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3 Responses to Jim Haslam: “East Tennessean of the Century!”

  1. Monique Anderson, on November 17th, 2024 at 9:23 am said:

    Looks wonderful. Gay did a great job!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on November 17th, 2024 at 9:36 am said:

    Monique: Yes, she really did. It was a wonderful night.

  3. Gay Lyons, on November 17th, 2024 at 12:42 pm said:

    Many thanks to all who attended & made it such a special night.

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