Aaron Russell and Shannon DeWitt are Man and Woman of 2021
Union County Business & Professional Association named Aaron Russell and Shannon DeWitt as Man and Woman of 2021 at its Annual Banquet on November 19, at Hubbs Grove Fellowship Hall.
Aaron Russell, publisher of Historic Union County News, was praised by Robbie Corum, the 2020 Man of the Year, for Aaron's “out of the box thinking.” With this “tackle the unknown attitude,” Aaron has given Union County its first online newspaper, as well as a printed monthly edition.
His determination to solve technology issues and make extremely challenging problems fixable was noted as he worked for Union County Public Schools. Aaron has advertised our county's accomplishments, our quality leaders, our enterprising businesses, our outstanding musical talent and our aspiring youth as he continues his mission to promote Union County as a great place to live, work, play and pray.
He is an example of faith-based determination. When faced with the loss of his kidneys, he did not veer from his mission, but rather appealed to God and the community to seek a donor. He received a donor kidney, but is now experiencing again the failure of his kidney. Through all of this adversity, he continued in his faith and his mission to publish the “good” about Union County.
In a short seven years he has grown Historic Union County from a small newsletter to a monthly multi-page publication.
Aaron Russell exemplifies the American dream of building an idea into a reality. His sisters echoed this dream and mission as they accepted the award on his behalf.
Betty Bullen, 2020 Woman of the Year, summarized why Shannon Perrin DeWitt is the 2021 Woman of the Year. Shannon entered Union County more than ten years ago as the Agriculture Extension Agent. She exuded enthusiasm and a willingness to serve the citizens of Union County and continues that attitude today.
With her expertise in agriculture, she naturally developed a rapport with the area farmers, but she also tackled areas that became learning opportunities for her and the business community.
She became a leader in the development of the Master Beef Program and the raising of pigs by 4-H youth. Shannon shared her knowledge of how a farmers market could be transformed into a business incubator with the establishment of a community commercial kitchen.
With the attitude of “ask and you shall receive,” DeWitt widened the horizons of partnership possibilities between county government, small business and private enterprise. She also visits citizens to help with everyday horticulture from home gardening to ornamental trees. But most of all she continues to inspire otherwise reluctant leaders, elected officials, our youth, parents and everyone she meets with a “can-do attitude.”
Not only has she shown that an all-female-led county Extension office can survive, but she has also helped Union County to thrive and become a model for counties throughout the state. This attitude has been truly inspirational as she has been active in the Union County Business and Professional Association Board of Directors as a member, director, vice president and the 2022 chairperson.
Since UCBPA could not have the 2020 banquet, the UCBPA Man and Woman of 2020 were also celebrated. Melanie Dykes, the 2019 Woman of the Year, introduced Betty Bullen as the 2020 Woman of the Year.
Betty has an extraordinary talent and passion for painting Union County historic sites and individuals who have contributed so much to our county. She creates the collectible prints for the Union County Heritage Festival.
As President of Preservation Union County, Bullen designed the entrance sign at Wilson Park which incorporates a portion of the old Highway 33 Bridge, led the effort to restore the Oak Grove School in Sharps Chapel, and added the Hamilton/Lay Log Home and the Hamilton/Lay General Store to the National Register for Historic Places.
As President of the Union County Historical Society, Betty wrote several grants to bring the Smithsonian Institute display “Don't Fence Me In” to the Union County Museum. Her most recent acquisition, the Historic Snodderly House, is being lovingly restored and serves as the location of the Union County Heritage Festival Art Show.
Gary England, 2019 Man of the Year, described the service of Robbie Corum, Man of the Year 2020.
Robbie serves as Youth, Associate and Senior Pastor of several area churches. He is employed as the Public Services Manager for the City of Knoxville. His servant leadership along with his knowledge of handling the needs of large crowds led him to volunteer to organize disaster relief strike groups across East Tennessee.
He is a former member of the Union County Rescue Squad and a Tennessee Level III Certified Firefighter, Along with his wife, Gail, he is owner of Corum Bookkeeping Services and founder of the Corum Legacy Scholarship.
Robbie volunteers annually at the UCBPA Golf Tournament, the Union County Under the Tree and the Union County Heritage Festival. He is a graduate of Leadership Union County Class of 2019 and the East Tennessee Regional Leadership Program for 2020-21. He serves on the Leadership Union County Board of Directors and the UCBPA Charities, Inc. board.
Past UCBPA residents R. Larry Smith and Marvin Jeffreys presented association founder Emily Link the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Emily chaired the committee that organized and established Wilson Park.
She acquired some of the earliest Parks and Recreation Grants for Union County and was instrumental in the appointment of the Union County Parks and Recreation Board. Emily served as the second president of UCBPA.
She was the owner of The Old and New, a retail business in Union County that offered home and office decor. Emily has remained an active part of UCBPA for more than 30 years.
Gail Corum, association treasurer, presented donations to Friends of Maynardville Public Library, Union County Lions Club, Union County 4H, the Union County Senior Center and Union County Children's Charities/Under the Tree.
She announced that donations to UCHS Chorus Program and the Paulette Fire Department will be presented at the January member meeting.
UCBPA president Martin Shafer auctioned gift baskets that benefited the UCBPA Scholarship Program in the amount of $1305.
Kyla Pressnell received her plaque as the recipient of the Jeffreys Memorial Academic Scholarship. Kyla is attending Maryville College where she is majoring in biochemistry.
County Mayor Jason Bailey installed the 2022 officers and Directors: President - Martin Shafer, Vice President - Tammie Hill, Secretary - Marilyn Toppins, Treasurer - Gail Corum, and Directors - Amy Masterson, Allison Smith, Shannon DeWitt, Ty Blakely, Jake McCollough, and Emily Falardeau.
All businesses and professionals are welcome to join UCBPA for the nominal dues of $25. View the website at www.ucbpatn.com for more information and to download a membership form.
UCBPA thanks Brenda Sweet and Gina Gilbert for serving on the banquet committee and Allison Smith for chairing the Man and Woman of the Year Committee. Pete's Place served a delicious dinner with roast beef and herbed chicken as the main entrees. Flowers by Bob provided the flowers and gifts and The Sign Guys made the plaques.