Page 6 - Jan-Feb 2021 Vol 38 No 6
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STATEWIDE By Lisa Hood Skinner
Virtual Conference a Success!
We made history with virtual reality. California, where she serves as Deputy Public Works Director.
In reality, we learned that we CAN… very effectively… meet Next on the agenda: TCAPWA Election Results, in which
virtually.
In early December 2020, the term “virtual reality” became our Mark Miller congratulated the new Board of Directors, headed
business of two days, December 1 and December 3, hosting the up by President Justin Holland; President Elect John Fox;
very first (and free) Virtual Conference of the Tennessee Chapter Vice President Nicholas Bradshaw; Secretary John Chlarson;
of the American Public Works Association (TCAPWA) and Solid Treasurer Kenny Wiggins; West Director Ethan Skaggs; Middle
Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Director Regina Santana; Upper East Director Bryon Fortner;
The “reality” is that we COULD meet virtually, “see” one Lower East Director Eric Sines; Council of Chapters Delegate
another, learn new concepts and still have meaningful exchanges Kimberly Strong; and Past President Phillip Jones. You may
in the Zoom/Covid-19/Pandemic/Electronic era…through the recognize these folks as the 2020 Board. Due to Covid, with
“very socially distanced” medium of the internet, no masks membership approval, the existing board agreed to remain for
required. 2021. Thank you all for staying on.
It may not have been “conference business as usual,” but the
TCAPWA/SWANA 2020 Virtual Conference…billed as “two An announcement of the Annual Awards (see page 10 for
days of networking, encouragement and learning,” lived up to its further coverage) followed with Nicholas Bradshaw, Awards
promise. The virtual presentations provided solid professional Chair, in which we saw photos of the award winners receiving
development for CU credit, worthwhile charitable giving their plaques at various presentations around their cities and
opportunities and key networking (and great door prizes, via a their workplaces, (and even one on a ballfield with a baseball-
cool virtual multicolored spinning wheel-thingie.) head mascot named Homer.) These were:
• Murphy Snoderly Award: Stay Chissay, City of Maryville
Tuesday: Elections, Awards Presentations, and Inspiration • Mark Miller TN Public Works Project of the Year: City of
Attendance was estimated at 90 viewers on the conference’s Kingsport’s Miracle Field
first day, and at 100 people the second day, with attendees and • W. Larry Eddins Award: Kim Strong, City of Chattanooga
speakers from coast to coast…California to North Carolina, and • Roger Clark Award: Rocky Robinson, Metro Nashville Public
even internationally, with viewers in Canada.
After the initial welcome and Works
housekeeping instructions by President • Edward C. Archer Young Public Works Leader of the Year:
Justin Holland, we were greeted by APWA
President Mary Joyce Ivers, CPFP, PWLF, Jake McCrary, City of Chattanooga
who lauded TCAPWA and SWANA for its • Charles Walter Nichols Award: Charlie Thomas, City of
bold dive into professional development via
the innovative webinar era. Ivers spoke to Knoxville
Ivers us from her office in the City of Ventura, • Frank Kirk Meritorious Service Award: Michael Marino,
Jacobs Engineering
• Tennessee Chapter Award of Merit: Jamie Edwards, City of
Knoxville
• TCAPWA 2020 Scholarship Winner: Kyle Branning, Town of
Signal Mountain
6 TPW January/February 2021
