Page 6 - TN Public WorksJan-Feb 2014 Vol. 31 No. 6
P. 6
by Sue Piper Photography by Chris Alley, PE, City of Kingsport
AWARDS fROM TCAPWA
Yearwood is A.C. Lock Leader of the Year
Surely it would please A.C. Lock to one thing, but to receive an award which
know that his warm welcome, words of bears that person’s name is quite another.
encouragement, and genuine interest in “It’s a very special honor for me to
a “newbie’ many years ago would greatly receive this year’s A.C. Lock Award.”
benefit today’s Chapter. That former
“newbie” is Bill Yearwood who has just The Year in Review
completed his year as TCAPWA’s Presi- Yearwood attributes TCAPWA’s very
dent. Yearwood received the A.C. Lock successful past year to his peers.
Public Works Leader of the Year award “I could not have done this without the
at the Annual Conference last October. help and encouragement that I’ve gotten
He serves as the city of Bartlett’s Public from so many who, year in and year out,
Works Director. are such a big part of the successes of our
“I remember my former PW director, chapter. Without going into detail, I want
Bill Kilp, taking me to a meeting at the to point out those who mean so much.
Agricenter in Memphis many years ago. They have become so recognizable that Yearwood
PW Directors from the neighboring com- they can be recognized by just their first
munities were there along with several names: Mark, Mike, Calvin, Bo, Sha-
engineers, a few local politicians, and ron, Judy, Phil, Ronnie, Manny, Kenny, “I hope that, like A.C. Lock, I’ve helped
some representatives of the local utility Loretta, Angie, and Jennifer. It seems that others become more comfortable
company. I wasn’t real excited about be- the list of key contributors has grown
ing there. They served food, and we were significantly during my time as a member with our group of professionals.
supposed to spend time getting to know of the executive board. I am hopeful that I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot as
the others in attendance. I felt awkward is a trend that will continue.”
milling around amongst a group of people Yearwood sees the following events a public works professional during
that I didn’t know. and happenings as highlights of his year the past few years, and I’ve seen
“Months earlier I had attended a semi- as President but insists on emphasizing,
nar that included a presentation by A.C. “These accomplishments are not due to others do the same.”
Lock, so I recognized him as someone me. They just happened to come together
who was very knowledgeable in the field during my time as president and presi-
of public works. While I was walking dent elect. Paying It forward
around, trying not to look like I didn’t be- • “I’m so thankful to President Ronnie Yearwood concludes his year as Presi-
long, A. C. Lock (of all people) introduced Hammonds, the volunteers and ven- dent the way he started it–grateful for the
himself to me! He acted like we were old dors for making this year’s conference opportunity to serve.
friends, and we had a lengthy conversa- such an enjoyable and successful event. “I hope that, like A.C. Lock, I’ve helped
tion. He was very likeable, easy going • Creation of the Conference Committee others become more comfortable with our
and humorous. From that point on, I felt • Sixth Pace Award – 2013 group of professionals. I’ve learned a lot
much more comfortable with what would • I am very happy that we were able to and grown a lot as a public works profes-
become a group of my lifelong peers.” name Mark Miller as Chapter Adminis- sional during the past few years, and I’ve
Yearwood feels that their encounter did trator earlier this year. He has been and seen others do the same. For anyone who
more than put him at ease in that setting. will continue to be one of our Chapter’s might be a bit apprehensive about getting
It also left a mark on his future career. most valuable assets. more involved, I strongly encourage them
“At that time, he was nearing the end of • Phil Pindzola initiated the Public to do so. I look forward to continuing
his career, and I was just getting started. Works Forums at my encouragement my association with TCAPWA and hope
Over the next few years, I saw him at vari- during the conference in Memphis. to see you all in Nashville in 2014. Until
ous seminars and technical functions. You We had another Forum at this year’s then, be safe, be well, and be happy!”
could say that he helped me understand conference. The Forum concept was It seems to have come full circle. The
that my job was more than building, im- adopted for two technical sessions this one who was made to feel welcome and
proving and maintaining infrastructure. year. valued by a TCAPWA legend many years
As PW professionals, we should also build • his year was the irst for our newest ago pays it forward with heartfelt service
relationships with each other so that we branch, the Upper Cumberland. I be- to others. Yesterday and today….
can share ideas and experiences.” lieve that Shawn Lindsey deserves most TCAPWA is much more than just a pro-
To meet and get to know a legend is of the credit for this addition.” fessional organization.
6 TPW January/February 2014
AWARDS fROM TCAPWA
Yearwood is A.C. Lock Leader of the Year
Surely it would please A.C. Lock to one thing, but to receive an award which
know that his warm welcome, words of bears that person’s name is quite another.
encouragement, and genuine interest in “It’s a very special honor for me to
a “newbie’ many years ago would greatly receive this year’s A.C. Lock Award.”
benefit today’s Chapter. That former
“newbie” is Bill Yearwood who has just The Year in Review
completed his year as TCAPWA’s Presi- Yearwood attributes TCAPWA’s very
dent. Yearwood received the A.C. Lock successful past year to his peers.
Public Works Leader of the Year award “I could not have done this without the
at the Annual Conference last October. help and encouragement that I’ve gotten
He serves as the city of Bartlett’s Public from so many who, year in and year out,
Works Director. are such a big part of the successes of our
“I remember my former PW director, chapter. Without going into detail, I want
Bill Kilp, taking me to a meeting at the to point out those who mean so much.
Agricenter in Memphis many years ago. They have become so recognizable that Yearwood
PW Directors from the neighboring com- they can be recognized by just their first
munities were there along with several names: Mark, Mike, Calvin, Bo, Sha-
engineers, a few local politicians, and ron, Judy, Phil, Ronnie, Manny, Kenny, “I hope that, like A.C. Lock, I’ve helped
some representatives of the local utility Loretta, Angie, and Jennifer. It seems that others become more comfortable
company. I wasn’t real excited about be- the list of key contributors has grown
ing there. They served food, and we were significantly during my time as a member with our group of professionals.
supposed to spend time getting to know of the executive board. I am hopeful that I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot as
the others in attendance. I felt awkward is a trend that will continue.”
milling around amongst a group of people Yearwood sees the following events a public works professional during
that I didn’t know. and happenings as highlights of his year the past few years, and I’ve seen
“Months earlier I had attended a semi- as President but insists on emphasizing,
nar that included a presentation by A.C. “These accomplishments are not due to others do the same.”
Lock, so I recognized him as someone me. They just happened to come together
who was very knowledgeable in the field during my time as president and presi-
of public works. While I was walking dent elect. Paying It forward
around, trying not to look like I didn’t be- • “I’m so thankful to President Ronnie Yearwood concludes his year as Presi-
long, A. C. Lock (of all people) introduced Hammonds, the volunteers and ven- dent the way he started it–grateful for the
himself to me! He acted like we were old dors for making this year’s conference opportunity to serve.
friends, and we had a lengthy conversa- such an enjoyable and successful event. “I hope that, like A.C. Lock, I’ve helped
tion. He was very likeable, easy going • Creation of the Conference Committee others become more comfortable with our
and humorous. From that point on, I felt • Sixth Pace Award – 2013 group of professionals. I’ve learned a lot
much more comfortable with what would • I am very happy that we were able to and grown a lot as a public works profes-
become a group of my lifelong peers.” name Mark Miller as Chapter Adminis- sional during the past few years, and I’ve
Yearwood feels that their encounter did trator earlier this year. He has been and seen others do the same. For anyone who
more than put him at ease in that setting. will continue to be one of our Chapter’s might be a bit apprehensive about getting
It also left a mark on his future career. most valuable assets. more involved, I strongly encourage them
“At that time, he was nearing the end of • Phil Pindzola initiated the Public to do so. I look forward to continuing
his career, and I was just getting started. Works Forums at my encouragement my association with TCAPWA and hope
Over the next few years, I saw him at vari- during the conference in Memphis. to see you all in Nashville in 2014. Until
ous seminars and technical functions. You We had another Forum at this year’s then, be safe, be well, and be happy!”
could say that he helped me understand conference. The Forum concept was It seems to have come full circle. The
that my job was more than building, im- adopted for two technical sessions this one who was made to feel welcome and
proving and maintaining infrastructure. year. valued by a TCAPWA legend many years
As PW professionals, we should also build • his year was the irst for our newest ago pays it forward with heartfelt service
relationships with each other so that we branch, the Upper Cumberland. I be- to others. Yesterday and today….
can share ideas and experiences.” lieve that Shawn Lindsey deserves most TCAPWA is much more than just a pro-
To meet and get to know a legend is of the credit for this addition.” fessional organization.
6 TPW January/February 2014
