Claiborne County’s Eleanor Yoakum has been named to the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame. She received the honor during the 29th Annual Award Dinner at the Downtown Marriott in Knoxville.
The Junior Achievement East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame is a “who’s who” of local business leadership and honors the professional accomplishments of visionary business men and women who have shaped the region’s economic landscape. According to a news release from the Junior Achievement, Laureate induction into the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award for individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on the East Tennessee Region.
“It’s such a privilege to be recognized with so many outstanding people,” said Yoakum.
First Century Bank is very involved with BizTown, which is just one of the programs that JA sponsors.
“This is a great organization and I’m honored to be recognized,” she added.
Hall of Fame inductees have consistently demonstrated throughout their professional lives business excellence; visionary, innovative leadership; and community involvement. Through their accomplishments, Laureates serve as role models for the next generation of business leaders, many of whom are currently Junior Achievement students.
A committee selects each year’s honorees based on a record of outstanding and sustained business success; enhancement of employees’ lives and dedicated service to customers; adherence to the highest professional and ethical principles; civic and community involvement; service as a role model for other business people and community youth.
“Business Hall of Fame Laureates have achieved both personal and professional success; they serve as role models and examples of what success looks like when done right,” the release states.
The East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame Laureates for 2017 are Eleanor Yoakum, chairman of First Century Bank; Eddie Mannis, president of Prestige Cleaners & Tuxedo and chairman of HonorAir Knoxville; and Will J. Pugh, founder of Pugh CPAs.
Yoakum currently serves as chairman of the board of First Century Bank and has served the public in many capacities during her lifetime. She was notably the first woman in the eight burley tobacco growing states to run a tobacco auction and warehouse. She has especially contributed to Claiborne County, serving as a strong advocate for education, the arts and getting upgrades to U.S. Hwy. 25E, which was named Eleanor Yoakum Highway. She has served as chairman of the board of First Century Bank since 1991.
Yoakum has spent many years as a volunteer in not only Claiborne County, but the state of Tennessee as well. She served as chairman of the Tennessee Arts Commission from 1988-1990, served as the Commissioner of Personnel for the State of Tennessee from 1996-1999 and served as Chief Administrative Officer to Governor Bill Sundquist from 1999-2002. Her service continued as a member of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission from 2002-2006. She was later appointed to the Board of Professional Responsibility, serving as vice-chairman for part of her term.
Her interest in seeing Claiborne Countians succeed through education has been proven by her involvement with Walters State Community College. She was instrumental in helping to get a new Claiborne County campus for the school and served as president of the WSCC Foundation Board for some time.
Before her service on the WSCC Foundation Board, she served over 20 years on the Foundation Board of East Tennessee State University, her alma mater. She was chosen as the ETSU Alumnus of the Year in 1999.
Yoakum’s philanthropy and success is highlighted by her personal life. She is chair of the finance committee at New Tazewell United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Bill Dunavant, reside in Tazewell. She is also the mother of two, Stephanie Conner of Nashville and Rob Barger, who serves as president of First Century Bank. She is also thrilled to have five grandchildren.
This year’s honorees join a distinguished group of men and women who have been inducted into the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame since its founding in 1989. Past inductees include local luminaries such as businesswoman and entertainer Dolly Parton, Randy Boyd, founder and executive chairman of Radio Systems Corp., Joe A. Hollingsworth Jr., owner and CEO of Hollingsworth Companies; Raja Jubran, CEO of Denark Construction; James A. Haslam II, founder and chairman of Pilot Corp., Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes and Chairman of Clayton Bancorp; Ted and Avis Phillips, founders of Phillips & Jordan; Sharon Miller Pryse, president and CEO of The Trust Company, Charlie Anderson, president and CEO of Anderson Media, and Renda Burkhart, founder of Burkhart & Company.
“We are proud to honor the dedicated work of Eddie Mannis, Bill Pugh and Eleanor Yoakum as they are outstanding examples of steadfast commitment to community and tremendous success within their industries,” said Chip Reed, president of Junior Achievement of East Tennessee. Junior Achievement makes a difference for students in kindergarten through 12th grade by helping them to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create opportunities and realize bright futures – the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame honorees past and present serve as success stories and role models for today’s students. JA is poised to reach over 18,000 students in East Tennessee this school year – the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame will help fund many of these programs.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.
