On Friday night, April 26, the Union County Chamber of Commerce held the Annual Fundraising Gala at Union County High School. Doors opened at 6:00pm with the Gala beginning at 7:00pm. The agenda was full of guest speakers with a delicious meal being catered by Li’l Jo’s Bar-B-Que.

The evening was well attended by many Union County business folks and guests. The event was kicked off with special entertainment from the very first ever Miss Union County, Katelyn Little. After her music, a delicious smoked pork loin dinner was served. Soon, thereafter, Governor’s Volunteer Star Honorees, Savannah Jones and Ashley Mike, were recognized and thanked for their outstanding volunteer hours dedicated to Union County and Tennessee by Chamber President and host Thomas Skibinski.

Next, special guest Tennessee Representative Dennis Powers held a quick speech and recognized his love and ties to Union County. Following Powers, Union County Mayor Jason Bailey recognized the endless hours that Skibinski dedicates to the forward thinking plans of growth at the Chamber and across the county. Bailey then introduced the guest of honor for the evening, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.

Jacobs became Mayor in 2018 as Union County also entered new mayoral leadership. Preceding his mayoral role, Jacobs excelled in a successful professional wrestling career for nearly twenty-five years. During this exciting career path, he was afforded the opportunity to perform in front of millions of fans across the United States as well as in forty other countries worldwide.

Jacobs, chose East Tennessee as his forever home more than twenty years ago. He has served on the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital advisory council and the board of the Halls/Powell Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, his small business, Jacobs Insurance Associates, became the local champion of the Kindness Revolution, a national anti-bullying initiative. He, and wife Crystal, founded Kane’s Crusaders, a non-profit organization with the mission of bringing joy to chronically ill teenagers in East Tennessee.

Jacobs’ takes his role as mayor seriously and holds several goals for his administration. These include keeping taxes low, finding efficiencies in government, supporting education, and encouraging diversity. He spoke of the importance of ag industry and economics in counties like Union County. He stated, “Tennesseans have understood that it is all about full market, full liberty, and full opportunity.”

To support the event, many businesses, organizations, and individuals sponsored full, half tables, or individual donations. Those guests include: FirstBank, Union Co. School Board c/o "Mary Ann Stackhouse Attorney at Law Lewis, Thomason, King, Krieg & Waldrop, P.C", City of Plainview, Union County Opry, First Century Bank, Mayor Jason Bailey, City of Luttrell, City of Maynardville, Skibinski Family, Corum Bookkeeping Services, The Winery at Seven Springs Farm, ORNL FCU Maynardville, UT Extension Union County, Carmuese, Flatford Screen Printing, Brenda Sweet, Kim Partin / SCHAS, Around the World Travel, Wayne & Kay Butler, Union County Chiropractic, James Acuff, Martin Schafer, Kim Bolton & Marlin Curnutt, Kim Smith (US Census Bureau), Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Representative Dennis Powers, Michael Hensley of Senator Blackburn's office and Tammy Merritt of Representative Chuck Fleischmann's office.

A special thanks to all the individuals that invested efforts in making this event successful, especially Chamber President Skibinski and his devotion in organizing events such as the Gala, Thunder in the Park, and the upcoming Union County 10K/5K and Fun Run shine. Growth for Union County is a goal shared by all.