TVPPA Members Earn 2025 Distinguished Honors from TMEPA
TVPPA members recently earned distinguished honors at the Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association (TMEPA) 59th Annual Meeting.
The Community Service Award
This award recognizes organizations that consistently go above and beyond to serve their employees, customers, and communities. The award recipients were:
- CDE Lightband
- Erwin Utilities Authority
- Paris Utility Authority
The Power of Excellence Award
This award honors senior staff, legal counsel, board members, elected officials, and others who have made exceptional contributions to utility systems, TMEPA, or public power nationally. The award recipients were:
- JT Northcutt, Tullahoma Utilities Board
- Laura Smith, Nashville Electric Service
Outstanding Service Award
Kendall Bear, General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility, received the Outstanding Service Award, the highest honor a system leader can receive from TMEPA. This award recognizes a leader with over a decade of experience who has made lasting contributions to public power, demonstrated exceptional leadership, and shown a strong commitment to TMEPA.
Public Power Employee of the Year
This award honors employees who exemplify exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact, both within their utility and in their communities. Their contributions highlight the strength and heart of public power in Tennessee. The award recipients were:
- Teresa Boren, McMinnville Electric System
- Leonard Leech, Nashville Electric Service
- Jaerica Troutt, Gallatin Department of Electricity
- John Gresham, Knoxville Utilities Board
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients! We commend them for their commitment to public power and excellence in their respective fields.