Ernest Howard Whitaker, a conservation trailblazer with deep Tennessee roots, has received the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor in the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, presented by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
“[He] has devoted a lifetime of service with what is obviously a deep, unwavering passion,” says TDEC Commissioner David Salyers.
A native of Putnam County, Whitaker has spent more than 70 years advancing environmental education and conservation. Through his work with the Soil Conservation Service, now the NRCS, he led initiatives across multiple Tennessee counties, including mine closures in Hamilton County, dairy farm runoff control in McMinn County, and reforestation efforts in Meigs County.
His most visible legacy may be the creation of Sammy Soil and Ruby Raindrop, mascots used by the USDA to promote land and water conservation. Introduced in the late 1960s and refined in partnership with cartoonist Bruce Plante, the characters have appeared at the White House, the Smithsonian, and in classrooms across the U.S.
Whitaker’s civic impact includes cofounding the Hamilton County Agriculture Fair, establishing Tree Day in Athens and launching the Earth Team, a nationally recognized volunteer group. His honors include USDA’s Superior Service Award and Tennessee Tech’s Distinguished Alumnus designation.
Even into retirement, Whitaker and his wife Nell have shared their expertise with international students, continuing a lifetime of service grounded in environmental stewardship and education.
Hazlewood joins CHI Memorial
CHI Memorial Medical Group has added Dr. Austin Hazlewood, DO, to its Family Practice Associates clinic in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Dr. Hazlewood earned his medical degree from Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate and completed his family medicine residency at the University of Louisville in Glasgow, Kentucky. He joins a care team that includes nurse practitioners Jamie Bird, FNP-C and Chandler Chastain, FNP-BC.
The practice focuses on whole-person care and disease prevention for patients of all ages. Both Dr. Hazlewood and Chastain are currently accepting new patients.
CHI Memorial Family Practice Associates – Cleveland is located at 2620 Westside Drive NW. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Same-day appointments and video visits are available.
Information: CHIMemorialMedicalGroup.org or (423) 339-1760.
Scott joins Chambliss real estate team
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. has announced the addition of Christine Scott to its real estate practice as a paralegal.
Scott brings extensive experience from the real estate sector, including prior roles as a senior legal analyst and legal department coordinator for one of the nation’s largest real estate investment trusts. In those positions, she supported complex transactions involving shopping centers, malls and ground lease negotiations.
At Chambliss, Scott will assist attorneys in matters involving developers, landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers. Her work will cover all phases of real estate transactions, from acquisition and leasing to disposition and development. She will also help with document review and other transactional support.
“Her experience in the real estate section will enable her to effectively support attorneys across various cases,” says Steve Barham, Chambliss president and managing shareholder. “With her deep industry knowledge and commitment to excellence, Christine will be a valuable addition to our team.”
Scott earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee.
ChaTech announces TechX Awards finalists
The Chattanooga Technology Council has announced finalists for the sixth annual Technology Excellence Awards, spotlighting leaders and innovators shaping the region’s growing tech ecosystem.
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony set for Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Wolford Family Athletic Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, innovation, and impact of people and organizations who are powering Chattanooga’s vibrant tech ecosystem,” says Karen Walker, senior vice president at CBL and chair of the ChaTech board.
Finalists span several categories:
• CxO Leader of the Year: Sheila Boyington (Thinking Media), Hudson Brock (Allohire), Beau Moffatt (WYRE Technology)
• Tech Company of the Year: EirSystems, Blueprint Intelligence, Ardera
• Early Innovator: Sensory Bridges’ Brooks Band, One Off Robotics’ Nomad, Driver Health Monitor System by Vijayalakshmi K Kumarasamy
• Tech for Good: Ujjawal Nayak (Experian), Vijayalakshmi K Kumarasamy (UTC – twice nominated)
• AI Innovation: Vineel Arekapudi (BCBST), Naveen Chatlapalli (Ashling Partners), Vijayalakshmi K Kumarasamy (UTC)
• Woman in Tech Leadership: Daniela LaCelle (Unum), Amna Shah (AHS Consulting), Cathi Swanson (Text Request)
• Tech Marketing Excellence: Jason Heymann (CBL), Angela Wade (WYRE), Vineel Arekapudi (BCBST)
• Tech Educator of the Year: Lora Taylor and Michelle Bettis (Hamilton County Schools), Arthur Williams (Girls Preparatory School)
• Emerging Tech Student: Robert Branum (Georgia Northwestern Tech), Sullivan Clarke (UT Knoxville), Abi Mondido (UTC)
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