Jennings A. Jones College of Business Awards

Jennings A. Jones Champion of Free Enterprise Award

This award is presented to an individual whose achievements are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American system of Free Enterprise.

Award Winner	Title	Company	Year
John Cerasuolo	President & CEO	Leap Partners	2025
John West	Managing Partner	Deloitte	2024
John Cipriano	Senior Director	A&M Restructuring & Turnaround	2023
Chuck McDowell	Founder and CEO	Wesley Financial Group	2022
Wanda Lyle	President, Managing Director and General Manager Nashville Center	UBS Business Solutions US LLC	2019
Deborah Thompson	Vice President, Agency Sales, Southeastern Market	State Farm	2018
Caren Gabriel	President and CEO	Ascend Federal Credit Union	2017
Ann and David Hoke	Owners	Ann Hoke & Associates, HomeFront Properties	2016
Randy Knight	Vice President of Manufacturing	Nissan	2015
Jim Ayers	Chairman of the Board	FirstBank	2014
Joey Jacobs	Chairman and CEO	Acadia Healthcare	2013
J. B. Baker	Owner	Spring Logistics LLC; Chair, Volunteer Express Inc. and Associated Companies	2012
Mark Emkes	Tennessee Commissioner of Finance and Administration		2011
Steve Smith	Chairman of the Board	Haury & Smith Contractors Inc.	2010
C. M. “Bill” Gatton		Auto Dealerships	2009
Rob McCabe	Chairman	Pinnacle Financial Partners	2008
Shirley Zeitlin	CEO	Shirley Zeitlin & Company, Realtors	2007
Mark Pirtle	President	Mark Pirtle Real Estate (27 years as automobile dealer)	2006
Governor Ned Ray McWherter	(Governor of Tennessee 1987-1995)		2005
Lee Moss	Chairman & CEO	MidSouth Bank	2004
Jack B. Turner		Jack B. Turner & Associates Inc., Clarksville, TN	2003
Cordia W. Harrington	Founder	Tennessee Bun Company	2002
Andy Bailey	President & CEO	NationLink Wireless	2001
Gordon E. Inman		Franklin Financial Corporation now Fifth Third Bank	2000
R. Clayton McWhorter	Founder and Chairman	Clayton Associates LLC	1999
David K. Wachtel Jr.	CEO	Restaurant Management Group	1998

Spirit of America Award

This award commemorates the extraordinary accomplishments of Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers in business, government, education, and charitable endeavors.

AWARD WINNER	YEAR
Janet Ross	2025
Victoria Eady Butler	2024
Lisa Tate Nix	2023
Jeff Ballard	2022
Shane McFarland	2018
Andy Marshall	2017
Tim Downey	2016
Janet Miller	2015
Robert Harper	2014
Ronnie G. Barrett	2013
Chris Karbowiak	2012
Not awarded	2011
Not awarded	2010
Charlie Daniels	2009
John R. Ingram	2008
Joel C. Gordon	2007
Jack O. Bovender Jr.	2006
Andrea Loughry	2005
Governor Winfield Dunn	2004
Tommy Smith	2003
Bud Wendell	2002
Jack Vaughn	2001
Aubrey B. Harwell Jr.	2000
Bob Corker	1999
Marvin Runyon	1998

Jones College Exemplar Award

This award is presented to an alumnus of Jones College whose personal and professional behavior sets an example for current students and alumni.

Award Winner	Year
Kent Ayer	2025
Tosha Price	2024
Jami Averwater	2023
Lori Williams	2022
Cindy Harper	2019
Angie Grissom	2018
Jackie Morgan	2017
Retta Gardner	2016
David Tincher	2015
Steve Anderson	2014
Paul W. Martin Jr.	2013
Kathy and Bill Jones	2012
Tom Boyd	2011
Tom Walker	2010
Charles Myatt	2009
Chuck Pruett	2008
Joe N. Steakley	2007
Bart Gordon	2006
Andy Womack	2005
Bill Mooningham	2004
G. Ron Nichols	2003
Darrell S. Freeman, Sr.	2002
Bob Parks	2001
Hubert L. McCullough, Jr.	2000
W. Andrew Adams	2000
Robert G. Adams	2000
Pamela J. Wright	2000
Andrew Woodfin Miller	2000

Young Professional of the Year

This award recognizes someone who, at a relatively young age, has already been a role model whose accomplishments are outstanding and an inspiration to others, but who has the potential to rise to even greater heights.

Award Winner	Year
Courtney Martin	2025
Derria Ford	2024
Charles Avent, Jr.	2023
Megan Bynum	2022
Matthew Stump	2019
Brian Walsh	2018
Kyle Motley	2017
Lorelei Samuelson	2016
Scott Brisson	2015