Trapuzzano receives Eugene L. Joyce Achievement Award

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce presented Tim Trapuzzano with the Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual awards gala, An ExtraORdinary Evening, in late January.

Trapuzzano is president and chief executive officer of Omega Technical Services in Oak Ridge, located at 118 Mitchell Road in Oak Ridge.

The Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a nominee who has truly distinguished himself or herself and embodies the essential values of volunteerism, community service, and dedication to the economic vitality of the community, a press release said.

The Joyce Award was established by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Past recipients have included Wanda Craven, Tom Hill, Gene Caldwell, George Mathews, John McKittrick, Howard Baker, Zach Wamp, Jan and Randy McNally, Kerry Trammel, Phil Andrews, David Bradshaw, Stacy Myers, Linda Brown and Len Hart, Bonnie Carroll, Bob and Carol Smallridge, and Jim Dodson.

Jim Normand, stepson of the late Eugene Joyce, presented the award to Trapuzzano.

“The criteria associated with this award speaks of the importance of personal values, as was exemplified by Eugene Joyce,” Normand said. “It mentions the values of integrity, compassion, loyalty, diligence, and a dedication to family, friends, and community.”

“Tim definitely encompasses important qualities of a leader,” said Brandy Miracle, Omega business operations manager. “He gains credibility by doing what he says he will do. Our team trusts him. As Omega’s longest employee, I have seen this trust and leadership firsthand. He’s humble and puts our needs before his own.”

Trapuzzano founded Omega Technical Services in 1995. The company specializes in providing technical expertise to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration sites in the areas of program management, project management, nuclear facilities, and many other technical areas. They currently have more than 170 employees and are growing, with 15 employees in the local headquarters, the press release said.

With a grandfather that served in World War I and a U.S. Army master sergeant father that served in the Korean War, Trapuzzano was exposed to a military lifestyle and developed a sense of service obligation at a very young age, the press release said. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1983, and four of his six years were spent on a fast attack nuclear submarine as a reactor operator and electronics technician.

“The time I spent in the military forged my character, including my sense of integrity, work ethic, honor, duty,” Trapuzzano said.

He described his motivation in the press release.

“The development of Omega’s corporate culture is a direct reflection of my personal character,” Trapuzzano said. “First and foremost is my belief in our Creator and thankfulness for all the Blessings that He has bestowed upon us through His Grace. Second is a dedication to country and national security that drives company mission. Integrity is extremely important to me as a graduate of Hyman Rickover’s nuclear navy and is of utmost importance at all levels of our organization. When entrusted by our stakeholders to safely and securely execute in highly complex and dangerous environments, only those of highest integrity are hired. Kindness and respect are also a very important attribute, which requires us to treat employees, customers, and vendors in a mutually respectful manner. In keeping with this attribute, I’ll always stay on the high road with regards to issues, concerns, or conflict, erring on the conservative side of what’s morally and ethically correct.”

The press release said Omega makes a point of supporting the community, to reach the next generation to keep nuclear talent and national security alive. Omega partners with local universities, schools, and other technical industries to develop resources.

“We are blessed with our success, and I believe strongly in giving back to the community,” Trapuzzano said. “A favorite local charity is the Gate, an organization based in Maryville that helps those with disabilities gain independence. We are also humbled by those that sacrifice through service of our country, and honor them by supporting the Wounded Warrior Project and local service member and veteran resources such as the American Legion Post in Rockwood.”

Nominations for the 2023 Eugene L. Joyce Award will be accepted soon. You can watch for that announcement on the Oak Ridge Chamber website at www.oakridgechamber.org.