Haslam to speak, Trammell to be honored at Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Gov. Bill Haslam will be the featured speaker at an annual Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, and the Eugene Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented posthumously to longtime Chamber board member and volunteer Kerry Trammell.

The Tuesday luncheon is the Chamber’s kickoff ceremony for the 2013 Program of Work. The annual event marks the beginning of the Chamber’s program year, and all Chamber member representatives are encouraged to attend, a press release said.

“We are very fortunate to have Gov. Haslam come and be a part of our annual kickoff,” said Stephen Whitson, president of HS-Whitson Construction Co. and board chairman for the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. “This is already a big day for Chamber members, but to have Gov. Haslam here adds to the excitement.”

Haslam is a Knoxville native who has a history degree from Emory University in Atlanta, once volunteered for the campaigns of Howard Baker and Lamar Alexander, has managed his family’s Pilot Corp., and served as mayor of Knoxville. He was elected Tennessee governor in 2010.

Haslam will present the Eugene Joyce Award during Tuesday’s luncheon, the press release said. The Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year will be announced, and former board members will be recognized. The Chamber will present its goals for the year and give an update on its three-year strategic plan.

The press release said the Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award is given occasionally to a nominee that has truly distinguished himself or herself and embodies the essential values of volunteerism, community service, and dedication to the economic vitality of the community. It is the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s preeminent award given to honor the memory of the late Eugene L. Joyce.

Trammell died unexpectedly in January. His widow Leslie will be present at the Program of Work Kickoff Luncheon to accept the award.

Ben Andrews, President of Oak Ridge Utility District, himself a longtime Chamber volunteer, was one of many people who nominated Trammell for the award. Andrews said: “Kerry was a good friend and a true example of dedication to volunteerism and community service. When I received the request from the Oak Ridge Chamber for nominees for this award, I immediately thought of Kerry. I think he would be overwhelmed to know he was being presented with this honor.”

Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, said: “Kerry Trammell was one of the most willing volunteers I have ever had the privilege of working with. His wit, his common sense, and his sense of fairness is missed by the Chamber and by every other organization that benefited from his service. I am delighted that the selection committee chose Kerry to honor with this award. I wish he could be here to accept it for himself.”

The luncheon will begin at noon Tuesday in the ballroom at the DoubleTree Hotel at 215 S. Illinois Ave. Members must register by Friday, March 22.