March 5, 2020

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) awarded Dan Hurst, CEO and Founder of Knoxville-based Strata-G, with the annual Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award during TAEBC’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Schneider Electric’s Nashville Hub.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award that’s associated with Tom Ballard’s name. Tom has been a good friend and mentor, showing me how hard work and creativity can strengthen Tennessee’s advanced energy ecosystem,” said Hurst. “For TAEBC to give me this award that symbolizes his commitment to championing our advanced energy economy to such success today is truly humbling.”

Hurst founded Strata-G in 2002, leading the company and its 240 employees by example by focusing on a diversity of advanced energy projects committed to improving Tennessee’s communities, contributing to the state’s advanced energy economy, and ensuring the wellbeing of Tennesseans everywhere.

“As a founding board member of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, Dan Hurst embodies the qualities of a servant leader,” noted Cortney Piper, Executive Director of TAEBC. “His dedication and commitment to building a new organization that represents an entire industry that makes Tennessee a better state in which to live, work and play is truly admirable. That same vision and devotion have enabled Dan to lead and grow a successful business in East Tennessee that embraces energy innovation, environmental stewardship and sustainability.”

Strata-G projects range from managing the University of Tennessee’s West Tennessee Solar Farm, to helping construct an energy efficient steam plant and energy distribution system for a facility in North Dakota. Strata-G engineers have also collaborated with utility districts in Sevier County and Knoxville to convert their fleet vehicles to Combined Natural Gas. In 2013, the company completed documentation to achieve LEED Gold for the Crawford House, a 137-year old building at Maryville College on the National Register of Historic Places, the second oldest building in the U.S. to achieve LEED Gold.

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 Tom Ballard, an unparalleled leader, educator, mentor, and advocate of Tennessee’s 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.

The Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award is an annual award, with TAEBC accepting nominations every year and presenting the winner with the honor at its annual meeting.

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, visit www.tnadvancedenergy.com/

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

About Strata-G

Strata-G, LLC is a team of approximately 240 engineers, scientists, safety professionals, and project managers dedicated to the responsible care of client entrusted resources in the environmental, energy, defense, utilities, and infrastructure sectors. Strata-G’s business is built on three core values of integrity, service, and quality. Each is the outgrowth of the one ideal that guides the company: treat other people as you wish to be treated.  For more information, visit https://www.stratag.org/