The Tennessee RiverLine proudly revealed the recipients of its 2023 awards during the 7th annual Tennessee RiverLine Summit at The Lodge at Pickwick Landing State Park. The event, held from February 25 to 28, brought together key stakeholders and partners to celebrate outstanding contributions to North America’s next great regional trail system.
The Tennessee RiverLine Awards program recognizes exemplary leadership in communities, individuals, and organizations committed to the transformational vision of the Tennessee RiverLine. These entities showcase dedication to its guiding principles through innovative Tennessee RiverTowns programming.
“The Tennessee RiverLine is powered by partnerships. It stands as a testament that we can achieve something together that none of us could accomplish alone,” said Brad Collett, Executive Director of the Tennessee RiverLine and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “Our dedicated team, UT Extension, and our principal partners, UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority, are inspired by the creative and place-based ways our collaborators in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee have made meaningful impacts in their communities and across the region.”
The 2023 Tennessee RiverLine Awards showcase partners who have significantly contributed to the continuous impact and development of the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. Their endeavors in 2023 underscore the program as a collaborative framework, actualizing the vision for the Tennessee RiverLine and yielding benefits in economic development, public health, resource stewardship and equitable access.
Award Categories and Recipients:
Organizational Partner of the Year: UT Extension
This award recognizes an organization that has made exemplary contributions to advancing the mission of the Tennessee RiverLine through its engagement as a partner or for its effort and impact as an allied initiative. UT Extension’s strategic investment has enabled the Tennessee RiverLine to grow its multi-disciplinary team of professionals that delivers capacity to communities across the region to which they would otherwise not have access. Its investment has also enabled the delivery of meaningful programs that educate, inspire, and overcome barriers to river spaces and experiences.
Individual Partner of the Year: Carrie Crawford, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
The award recognizes an individual who consistently demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm for the Tennessee RiverLine vision and upholds its guiding principles through their commitment of time and effort as a member of the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership. As leader of The Shoals Local Leadership Team, Carrie has diligently facilitated enriching river experiences for her community, organizing diverse recreation and stewardship events since 2019. She actively supports the 652 to YOU program, contributing to mobility planning in Colbert County, overseeing interpretive trails in Florence and participating in visionary design concepts for the historic railroad bridge and Patton Island. Carrie's efforts empower local residents and leaders, fostering community buy-in crucial for achieving visionary project goals.
Community Partner of the Year: Hardin County, TN
This award recognizes a Tennessee RiverTowns community that consistently demonstrates enthusiasm for the Tennessee RiverLine initiative and a commitment to its guiding principles across its comprehensive efforts. Hardin County’s embrace of the Tennessee RiverLine vision and comprehensive engagement across all aspects of the Tennessee RiverTowns Program has been particularly inspiring. The integration of the area’s natural heritage and unique histories into its river animation and stewardship program demonstrates creativity and initiative to the benefit of event participants. Their commitment to partnerships with Pickwick Landing State Park, the Tennessee River Museum, UT Extension, and others make these innovative programs possible.
J.E.D.I. Path Award: Shawanna Kendrick, The H2O Life
The J.E.D.I. Path Award recognizes exceptional efforts from community partners in advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Tennessee RiverLine programs. After meeting Shawanna Kendrick at the inaugural Paddlesports Leadership Academy, it became clear that outdoor spaces were her avenue for personal growth and healing. In 2023, exceeding Tennessee RiverTowns Program expectations, she collaborated with River City Company and Waterways in Chattanooga to organize inclusive events for all ages through the Tennessee RiverLine DEI Community Impact Grant. Shawanna's development of the Woman on Water Program, aimed at creating confident women of color as outdoor recreation ambassadors, showcased her leadership growth. From instructing at the 2023 Paddlesports Leadership Academy to leading the first-ever flat-water paddling group at Women’s Paddlefest, her grace and inclusive leadership are appreciated by colleagues and friends alike.Excellence in River Animation: Bridgeport, TN
Excellence in River Animation: Bridgeport, AL
The Excellence in River Animation Award recognizes a Tennessee RiverTowns community that has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to breaking down access barriers to river spaces and experiences through river animation programming that is safe, inclusive, and innovative. Bridgeport's community efforts to engage youth in paddlesports activities last year demonstrated a commitment to expanding river users in the area. The initiatives showcase that the Tennessee River is an accessible recreation amenity that improves the quality of life and public health in Bridgeport. As recipients of the DEI Community Impact Grant, the Local Leadership Team in Bridgeport dedicated time and effort to implementing essential risk management and participant safety measures. This focused effort aimed to make rivers accessible to middle school students who lack their own paddling equipment or do not have easy access to such river experiences. Thanks to their hard work, the events empowered youth to feel welcomed and confident when accessing river spaces and experiences.
Excellence in River Stewardship: Spring City, TN
The Excellence in River Stewardship Award recognizes a Tennessee RiverTowns community that has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to inspiring new generations who understand and are invested in the stewardship of our natural and cultural heritage through river stewardship programming that is safe, inclusive, and innovative. Spring City's continued partnership with Arrowhead Resort and Responsible Stewardship to provide numerous clean-up opportunities for the community is an exemplary and innovative demonstration of this intention. Their efforts champion the community’s love for the Tennessee River, a desire to conserve it for future generations, and the commitment to create new and younger generations of stewards.
Event of the Year: Chatt Town Cool Down, Chattanooga, TN
The Event of the Year Award recognizes programming that is an exemplary demonstration of the Tennessee RiverLine’s guiding principles. This event exemplified many of Tennessee RiverLine’s guiding principles through its creative and comprehensive schedule of activities. Never before has a Tennessee RiverTowns community afforded so many attendees with a wide range of ages and backgrounds such an array of diverse and inclusive river experiences in a single event. Among the event’s dozens of on and off-water activities, the H2O Life Black Women Paddle helped build camaraderie and solidarity while overcoming barriers for many first-time paddlers. The Paddle Down offered more experienced paddlers the opportunity to enjoy the Tennessee River with the city landscape as the backdrop. Incorporating many riverside activities, the event provided a familiar and comfortable river experience with family-friendly games and exhibitors for a broader audience. Integrating Chattanooga’s 652 to YOU program into the event creatively engaged the community, giving attendees a voice in city recreation development and raising awareness of the broader Tennessee RiverLine initiative. The entire event was made possible by Chattanooga’s Local Leadership Team, Outdoor Chattanooga, and the power of partnerships.
Powered by Partnerships: NATR Fest
The Powered by Partnerships Award recognizes a community or organization that exercises the idea that we can achieve something by working together that no one can achieve by working alone. The Powered by Partnership concept comes to life through NATR's ingenuity and initiative, driving efforts in North Alabama to enhance equitable access to outdoor recreation spaces and experiences. NATR’s dedication to this shared mission took center stage at the 2023 NATRfest, rapidly becoming a hallmark event on North Alabama’s outdoor recreation calendar. Guided by the leadership of Alabama Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys RC&D, and supported by numerous partners, NATRfest provides residents with an opportunity to explore and engage in the region’s extraordinary outdoor recreation experiences. It serves not only as an avenue for individuals to learn and participate but also as a platform for allied recreation initiatives to convene, exchange successes, and collaboratively advance shared missions and priorities.
Legacy Awards: Susan Jones, Jennifer Moore, and Madeleine Williamson
The Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the Tennessee RiverLine and demonstrated commitment to its guiding principles over a sustained period of time.
Susan Jones
Since Susan Jones first engaged with the Tennessee RiverLine in 2019, she has played a crucial role in effectively communicating the mission and vision of the initiative. As the Partnership transitioned from vision awareness to implementing the Tennessee RiverTowns Program, Susan consistently provided valuable insight and welcomed feedback on communication strategies and organizational goals. Susan's contributions were instrumental in navigating TVA’s leadership structure to secure timely quotes, planning signature events, and crafting announcements that celebrated collective impact and achievement. Her efforts also played a key role in establishing a unified voice that amplifies the initiative's stories across the region and globally.
Jennifer Moore
As a regular convener of Tennessee RiverTowns community partners in North Alabama, Jennifer Moore actively pursued the realization of the Tennessee RiverLine vision for Huntsville and Madison County. Jennifer consistently fostered collaboration with fellow North Alabama communities, introducing Tennessee RiverTowns Program convenings after quarterly Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association meetings. Advocating at local, state, and community levels, she played a key role in establishing our relationship with the Alabama Tourism Department. Serving on the Huntsville Local Leadership Team, Jennifer's exemplary dedication and leadership during challenging times ensured the program's continuity and engagement. She also secured substantial contributions for regional destination marketing efforts and dedicated personnel for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau to meet Tennessee RiverTowns Program requirements.
Madeleine Williamson
Madeleine Williamson played a pivotal role during a critical growth phase for our team. Stepping in when administrative support was limited, Madeleine led operational initiatives, researching and implementing valuable tools and procedures for the organization. Her reliability and attention to detail were evident in tasks ranging from event preparation to financial reconciliation and document editing. Madeleine tackled essential responsibilities, ensuring updated inventory and timely expense reports. She organized and streamlined processes, helping us transition from a vision to a tangible organization. This had substantial impacts on our community partners and the region.
Extra Mile Awards:
In 2023, more than 251 volunteer members of our Local Leadership Teams organized river animation and stewardship events, advocacy efforts, and other initiatives to raise awareness of the Tennessee RiverLine and facilitate community engagement. Each community’s Local Leadership Team is offered the opportunity to nominate a single member of their team who demonstrates exemplary effort and leadership through their participation as an Extra Mile Award recipient.
Knoxville, TN - Kim Bumpas
Loudon, TN - Rodney Grugin
Roane County, TN - Stephanie Wright
Spring City, TN - Stephania Motes
Meigs County, TN - Nadia Oliver
Chattanooga, TN - Shawanna Kendrick
South Pittsburg, TN - Walker Henley
Bridgeport, AL - Lieutenant Colonel John M. Walker
Jackson County, AL - Lydia Pennington
Guntersville, AL - Katy Norton
Huntsville, AL - Bob Stagg
Decatur, AL - Dr. Bill Sims
The Shoals, AL - Carrie Crawford
Hardin County, TN - Brandon Weber
Cliton, TN - Doug Kibbey
Perry County, TN - Amanda Mathenia
Benton County, TN - Josh Justice
Calvert City, KY - Gene Colburn
Paducah/McCracken County, KY - Jeff Canter and Steve Ervin
"It's truly exhilarating to witness the developments unfolding in our Tennessee RiverTowns communities," said Lizzy Gardner, Tennessee RiverLine Programs Director. "They serve as the vibrant core of this initiative, and their commendable passion, dedication, and tenacity greatly contribute to the success of our collective efforts."
All awardees were recognized at the 2024 Tennessee RiverLine Summit, presented by Board Safe Docks. This year’s Summit convened more than 160 partners from across the region for networking, engaging sessions and excursions at The Lodge at Pickwick Landing State Park in Hardin County, TN.
Award recipients are nominated by members of the Tennessee RiverLine staff and Local Leadership Team members of each Tennessee RiverTowns community. All award recipients received a custom plaque commemorating their achievement. The award plaques are designed and fabricated by UT Knoxville students at the College of Architecture and Design’s Fab Lab.