February 12, 2019

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) bestowed the first-ever Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award to Ballard himself, during TAEBC’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Schneider Electric’s Nashville Hub.

“Without Tom Ballard, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council would have never grown to the level of success it experiences today,” said Cortney Piper, Vice President of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. “It’s impossible to measure Tom’s impact on Tennessee’s advanced energy economy with words alone, and for that reason he is most deserving of having an award being named in his honor.”

The Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award honors exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening Tennessee’s advanced energy economy.

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council champions the state’s advanced energy economy as an economic development and job creation strategy through sharing information, connecting stakeholders, and strengthening the industry. These pillars are personally exemplified by the tireless work of Tom Ballard, an unparalleled leader, educator, mentor, and advocate of Tennessee advanced energy economy.

Ballard was TAEBC’s first president upon its launch in 2014 and served on the board of directors until 2019. He is the Chief Alliance Officer of Pershing Yoakley & Associates, a Knoxville-based professional services firm with a national footprint in healthcare consulting. He also serves as editor of Teknovation.biz, a web-based service launched in 2011 to spotlight and celebrate all things related to technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in Tennessee.

TAEBC announced the Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award will be an annual award, accepting nominations every year and presenting the winner with the honor at future annual meetings.

About the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry. For more information, visitwww.tnadvancedenergy.com/

To view a list of TAEBC members, visit www.tnadvancedenergy.com/members/

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