Congratulations to the 2009 University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished campus awards recently were bestowed to five University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Business Administration alumni.
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is the campus’s highest alumni award. In its second year, it recognizes alumni of the university who have attained extraordinary distinction and success in his or her field, whose achievements have brought credit to the University of Tennessee, and who have benefited their fellow citizens.
Two other alumni awards also were presented in their inaugural debut. The Alumni Service Award recognizes exceptional service or consistent long-term service/leadership to the university. The Alumni Promise Award recognizes alumni no older than 40 years of age who have demonstrated distinctive achievement in career, civic involvement, or both. This award is presented to acknowledge alumni who are making a mark early on in their career.
2009 University of Tennessee Knoxville Alumni Award Winners
Distinguished Alumnus Award
James A. Haslam II (1952)
In 1958, Jim Haslam opened a single gas station in Gate City, Virginia. He built that one station into Pilot Corporation, the largest travel center company in the nation. Pilot owns and operates more than 300 travel centers in 40 states coast-to-coast and recently opened a location in Canada. Pilot Travel Centers also is one of the largest restaurant operators in the U.S. Haslam co-chaired UT Knoxville’s first major capital campaign, The Tennessee Tomorrow Campaign (1977-80), and again led UT Knoxville’s efforts during The 21st Century Campaign (1994-98), raising $432 million for the University of Tennessee system. He currently serves as the co-chair, along with his wife, Natalie, of the university’s $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, The Campaign for Tennessee. As a graduate of the College of Business Administration, Haslam’s commitment to excellence in business education prompted the university to name the James A. Haslam II Business Building in honor of his service to the college. Haslam’s wife, Natalie, also was named a 2009 Distinguished Alumna.
Alumni Service Award
Jenny Banner (1981; 1983)
As CEO of the successful Knoxville-based Schaad Companies, Jenny Banner stays busy in her professional endeavors. However, she still manages to graciously volunteer her time for her industry, community, and alma mater. Not only does she serve as a member of the Tennessee Accounting Advisory Roundtable, but, as a graduate of the UT Knoxville College of Business Administration, she is an active member of the college’s Department of Finance Advisory Council. Additionally, Banner’s Schaad Companies serves as the lead sponsor of the university’s Clarence Brown Theatre main stage productions. Through her role as a member of the BB&T board of directors, Banner was instrumental in helping to direct a $1.5 million grant to the College of Business Administration, and she regularly serves as a guest speaker for finance classes.
Jack Mills (1968; 1971)
Following a successful career with Procter & Gamble, Jack Mills joined the UT Knoxville College of Business Administration as an adjunct lecturer in marketing and entrepreneurship. Mills mentors students on important business practices such as resume writing and interview techniques. Additionally, he graciously has served as a leader for the college’s full-time MBA students international trips. He serves on the college’s Advisory Council to the Dean and is a consistent supporter of the college’s students and programs.
Will Pugh (1961)
Will Pugh, founder of Pugh & Company, P.C., has tirelessly dedicated his life to accounting education and the accounting profession. He served on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, the boards of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Pugh received two Distinguished Service Awards from national accounting organizations and numerous awards from other state and local accounting organizations. He has served on the UT Accounting Roundtable for many years, and he has helped countless students receive state-supported accounting scholarships. His colleagues joined together in 2009 to dedicate the Will J. Pugh Classroom in the College of Business Administration’s James A. Haslam II Business Building.
Alumni Promise Award
Ali Safavi (2002)
As global director of account management at the Walt Disney Company, Ali Safavi is responsible for over $1 billion worth of business. He has worked in brand management for Haagen-Dazs, Levi’s, Sara Lee, Procter & Gamble, and Hewlett-Packard. He launched the consumer air freshener Febreze while at Procter & Gamble, reaching over $150 million in sales the first year, and currently oversees feature animation for Disney on three continents. As a JD/MBA graduate of the UT Knoxville College of Business Administration, Safavi graciously has returned to Knoxville to speak to classes at his alma mater and is involved with the full-time MBA program.
