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had more than 300 in attendance, with Kimberly
Strong, TCAPWA President-Elect, kicking the
proceedings into high gear.
Jeffery P. Brown P.E., APWA Director Region III
also provided a welcome, sharing an informative
APWA update. Attendees networked, visited
booths and eagerly awaited the results of the rodeo.
The top three winners in all six categories and
overall went home with terrific prizes including
cash, a CASE knife, an authentic cowboy hat, and
bragging rights for the next year. Chattanooga
representatives gladly accepted the trophy for the
Team Competition this time around!
That evening, a record number of attendees
came to the YP outing at TopGolf in East Ridge,
sponsored by OHM. We thank the folks at OHM
who made sure the food and beverages didn’t
run out as eager golfers kept arriving. Everyone
enjoyed the time together to network, eat,
drink, and PLAY. TopGolf is always an exciting
experience, and it did not disappoint.
Wednesday: Technical Sessions, Awards and
Dinner Cruise on the Southern Belle
Day three featured a vendors/sponsors’
breakfast, with grateful recognition of their
contributions to the Tennessee Chapter. This
conference could not happen without their
generous support.
Following breakfast, a brief chapter business
meeting was led by Regina Santana, outgoing
President. Kimberly Strong, President-Elect,
closed the morning meeting, and the Exhibit Hall
opened to everyone in advance of the first round
of technical sessions.
A wide variety of technical sessions covered
interesting and useful topics. Sessions included
talks on Creating an ADA Accessible Music City;
Starting and Maintaining a Women in Public
Works Committee; Four-Way Stops; The Future of
Solid Waste; Capitalizing on the Benefits of Trees;
Storm Drain Laws; Hotel Waste; and Issues Facing
Public Works Departments. Thanks go to Chad
Weth, with the city of Knoxville, who coordinated
the TCAPWA sessions, and to Bill Brock and
Loretta Hopper who coordinated the SWANA
sessions.
The Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Cannon
& Cannon Inc., had over 220 in attendance.
Mark Miller, Chapter Administrator, welcomed
the crowd and introduced special guest, Chip
Henderson, City of Chattanooga, City Council
Chairman. Regina Santana, Chapter President,
introduced our three 2024 scholarship winners,
Louis Brill, Jacob Crenshaw, and Brandie Jackson,
and announced the 2024 Murphy Snoderly Award
recipient, Maryville’s Doug Strickland.
John Chlarson, Chapter Secretary, introduced
the conference charity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of
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