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Frank Kirk Meritorious Service Award
Lauran Canacaris – OHM Advisors – 2025 Chairman, Annual

Conference Committee

The Frank Kirk Meritorious Service Award is based on the quality, efficiency and cost
effectiveness of services provided to the chapter.
Lauran Canacaris has worked tirelessly over the past several years on the Conference
Committee. As Chairman this year, she was dedicated to keeping the committee on
track. From working with the various venues, to planning the menus, to coordinating
volunteers, she has been on the job for the Chapter, running a smooth and successful
conference experience while settling into a new job with OHM Advisors.

Charles Walter Nichols Award Canacaris
Jesse Lawhorn - City of Knoxville, Equipment Operator III

Through the Charles Walter Nichols Award, we yearly recognize one of our members
for their outstanding achievements in the Public Works arena serving either in street
sanitation, refuse collection and disposal, or sewer treatment for water supply.
The award goes to Jesse Lawhorn, an Equipment Operator III for the City of Knoxville
Public Service Department. Lawhorn, who started with the city in 2002 as an entry-
level Public Service worker, quickly was promoted to Equipment Operator II, holding
Equipment Operator III status since 2005.Supervisors say “Jesse is willing to help out
with whatever is needed, to operate any piece of equipment, and to share his knowledge
and expertise with those around him.”
Tennessee Chapter – Award of Merit

Johnny Chad Davis - City of Knoxville, Equipment Operator III Lawhorn

Our Award of Merit recognizes an individual who provides dedicated service at the
operations level, performing their responsibilities in an exceptional, efficient, and
courteous manner.
Johnny Chad Davis, an Equipment Operator III for the City of Knoxville, has been
a valued member of the Public Service Department for nearly 20 years, holding the
position of Boom Mower for the past 17 years. Supervisors say Davis is reliable,
dependable, and “will complete any assignment in a timely and safe manner; moreover,
the end result will be exceptional. He has been demonstrating high caliber work and
exhibiting superior character for his entire career with the City of Knoxville.”

President’s Recognitions and Presentations

At this year’s conference, President Kimberly Strong introduced additional ways to
recognize individuals who have made a difference in Public Works in Tennessee. Davis
Awards for Outstanding Service to the Tennessee Chapter of APWA went to:
John Anderson Lauran Canacaris John Chlarson
Klair Kimmey Lisa Hood Skinner Coverage of the Mark Miller
Awards in Appreciation for their Leadership to their TCAPWA Branches went to: Tennessee Public Works Project
Kristin Franklin, Lower East Branch Scott Jenkins, Upper East Branch
Casin Swann, Middle Branch Jonathan Whitfield, West Branch of the Year Award winner and
An Award of Service was presented to: the Bob Freudenthal Public
Bobby Kinney, Manager of Streets and Drainage for the Town of Collierville Utility Project of the Year Award
Kinney is retiring in December after 40 years of service. Winner can be found on pages
The President’s Leadership Award for Service to TCAPWA was presented to:
Ricky Colston Emily Harrell Tiffany Howlett 18 and 19.
Mark Miller Women in PW Committee/Jerramy Wood, Chattanooga

View online at tnpublicworks.com 17