Partners and Collaborators Celebrated at Conference in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee RiverLine proudly recognized the recipients of its 2024 awards during the 6th annual Tennessee RiverLine Summit at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown. The event, held from February 23–25, brought together nearly 200 key stakeholders and partners to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by those committed to advancing the RiverLine’s mission to connect communities across the Tennessee River Valley.
The Tennessee RiverLine awards program recognizes exemplary leadership shown by communities, individuals and organizations that help bring the transformational vision of the Tennessee RiverLine to life. These entities showcase dedication to its guiding principles through innovative Tennessee RiverTowns programming.
“The Tennessee RiverLine is a testament to what’s possible when communities come together with a shared vision,” said Brad Collett, executive director of the Tennessee RiverLine and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “Through the dedication of our team, UT Extension, and our principal partners—UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority—we are honored to celebrate the remarkable ways our collaborators in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee are bringing the river to life in their communities. Their leadership and creativity are shaping a future where the Tennessee River is more accessible, vibrant and connected than ever before.”
The RiverTowns Program is vital for making a tangible impact on the region, and the Tennessee RiverLine awards recognize the partners who keep the RiverLine organization tuned into each enrolled community and advocate its mission. Leaders in these communities have been invaluable throughout 2024 for developing a collaborative framework and making the vision for the Tennessee RiverLine a reality, yielding benefits in economic development, public health, resource stewardship and expanded access.
Award categories and recipients:
Organizational Partner of the Year: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Individual Partner of the Year: Gail Loveland, Outdoor Chattanooga
Community Partner of the Year: Spring City, TN
CommUnity Leadership Award: Black Kids Adventures
Excellence in River Animation: Paducah, KY
Excellence in River Stewardship: Tennessee River Rescue
Event of the Year: Blythe Ferry Paddle: Meigs County, TN; Dayton, TN; Cherokee Removal Memorial Park; Trail of Tears Association
Powered by Partnerships: Appalachian Regional Commission Conference Paddle
Legacy Awards: Hannah Kirby, Liz Riester
Extra Mile Awards:
Knoxville, Tenn. – Wes Soward
Loudon, Tenn. – Rodney Grugin
Roane County, Tenn. – David Bolling
Spring City, Tenn. – Kristin Urani
Dayton, Tenn. – Ashley Ervin
Meigs County, Tenn. – Paige Finnel
Chattanooga, Tenn. – Brooke Fleeman
South Pittsburg, Tenn. – Walker Henley
Bridgeport, Ala. – Lieutenant Colonel John M. Walker
Jackson County, Ala. – Jim Jordan
Guntersville, Ala. – Katy Norton
Huntsville, Ala. – Lisa Hendrichs
Decatur, Ala. – Danielle Gibson
Lawrence Co., Ala. – Heather Dyar Rose
The Shoals, Ala. – TJ Johnson
Hardin County, Tenn. – Jared Stricklin
Clifton, Tenn. – Shawnee Iacono
Perry County, Tenn. – Amanda Mathenia
Benton County, Tenn. – Heather Smith
Calloway County, Ky. – Jeremy Whitmore
Calvert City, Ky. – Elena Blevins
Paducah/McCracken County, Ky. – Jeff Canter
“2024 marked an outstanding year of connecting communities, people and organizations across all 652 miles of the Tennessee River, and it would never have been possible without the efforts of our incredible collaborators and advocates,” said Lizzy Gardner, programs director of the Tennessee RiverLine. “Thousands of new river users discovered the tremendous resource in their own backyards this year through stewardship, engagement and recreation events, and we couldn’t be more excited to recognize the efforts of our generous collaborators.”
All awardees were recognized at the 2025 Tennessee RiverLine Summit, presented by BoardSafe Docks. This year’s Summit convened almost 200 partners from across the region for networking, engaging sessions and excursions at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Award recipients are nominated by members of the Tennessee RiverLine staff and Local Leadership Team members of each RiverTowns community. All award recipients received a custom plaque commemorating their achievements.
The Tennessee RiverLine is an initiative of UT Extension, with principal partners UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority, and is a continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652-mile reach. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond.
For more information about the Tennessee RiverLine, visit tnriverline.org.