President Kathy Black (Bicentennial Volunteers, Incorporated) highlighted the essential nature of partnerships when she welcomed over two hundred volunteers and TVA staff to the annual awards reception at The Embassy Suites hotel ballroom on September 12, 2024.
“Every year we get the honor of recognizing our valuable Visitor Center volunteers, and individuals working for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) through NEA (National Emergency Assistance) who assist in Disaster-Relief,” said Kathy Black. “This year, our volunteers donated over 15,256 hours of their time.”
BVI’s Executive Sponsor, Wilson Taylor, TVA Vice President of Support Services and TVA Ombudsman, was the keynote speaker, thanking all in attendance for their commitment to making the region a better place through their volunteer efforts.
“BVI’s mission is ‘Connecting People with Purpose.’ The people with purpose are YOU,” Wilson said to the volunteers. “Thank you for giving unselfishly of your time, and I appreciate the many ways you still serve the people of the Valley region.”
Black acknowledged volunteer milestones awards winners. While all are amazing examples of service, Black recognized Glen Tankersley. Glen started volunteering at Kentucky and Fontana Dam Visitor Centers since 1991. Glen who passed away this past May, holds the record for the most volunteer hours ever with 14,232 hours of service.
The biggest honor of the evening, Volunteer of the Year, went to Sam and Bert Esslinger.
Sam and Bert have volunteered at Fontana Visitor Center together, and Sam also volunteers at Raccoon Mountain.
“We love volunteering at Fontana because it is an engineering feat, and it is some of the most beautiful views in the Valley region,” Sam said. “It is also important to be an ambassador with the public, because TVA did so much for the Valley region.”
In addition to volunteering for TVA, Sam and Bert also give their time to their local food bank, Meals on Wheels and the Sequatchie County Library.
“We have lots of irons in the fire, and we stay busy, but it helps keep us young,” Bert said.
BVI VOLUNTEER MILESTONE AWARD WINNERS
6,000 Hours
Benny & Becky Miller
5,000 Hours
Clint & Ina Horton
Jane Oglesby
4,000 Hours
Lile & Catherine Bickley
Frank & Martha Laszlo
3,000 Hours
Herman Herrin
Wayne & Carolyn Sneed
2,000 Hours
Tim & Sherrie Butler
Jackie & Wanda Smith
David & Robin Wright
1,500 Hours
Sam & Roberta Esslinger
Carol Glover
Larry & Jane Ticer
1,000 Hours
James & Alice Colagross
David & Lola Curran
Tom & Linda Hancock
Bobby & Nancy Irby
David & Linda Teuton
500 Hours
Terry & Margaret Broyles
Jay & Francie Brodman
Delores Huzar
David & Nancy Kizer
Paul & Jeanine Schmierbach
Yasmine Steele
NEA Milestone Awards
35,000 Hours
Gaye Bow
30,000 Hours
Blanton Maples
25,000 Hours
Ronnie Graham
20,000 Hours
Bobby Akins
Terry Jenkins
Keith Lewis
Donna Norton
15,000 Hours
Joy Saputa
10,000 Hours
Suellen Brown
Larry Johnson, Jr.
Jackie Stewart
Penny Walker
Excellence Award
Larry Bryant
Jackie Stewart