Jim Haslam declared “East Tennessean of the Century”

Guests enjoyed mingling during the reception followed by dinner, culminating with a brief program celebrating the honoree. During the program, kind words and admiration for Haslam were shared in a video (see below) and sentiments were echoed by University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd and Jenny Boyd, both recipients of this award in 2022. In the award announcement, Boyd made a motion to seated guests to change the award from East Tennessean of the Year to East Tennessean of the Century. The motion was seconded by numerous guests and so moved with a unanimous “aye!” throughout the venue. A standing ovation followed as East Tennessee Historical Society President/CEO Warren Dockter presented Haslam with a one-of-a-kind glass award. Haslam spoke after being honored, discussing the importance of giving back and getting involved with your community, emphasizing that Knoxville and East Tennessee are two of the most special places in this country. The brief presentation ended with the declaration that the program had finished early (to Haslam’s delight), so that the rest of the University of Tennessee basketball game could be watched.

Born in 1930, Jim Haslam played football and became Team Captain at the University of Tennessee. Haslam played on the famous 1951 National Championship football team led by coaching legend and mentor General Robert R. Neyland, whose renowned Game Maxims inspired Haslam’s views of life and leadership in family, business, and in the art of giving back. Upon arriving in Korea, he was promoted to Company Commander at the age of twenty-three. After returning home from the military, he started a small oil company in 1958 with only one gas station. Pilot Oil Company would go on to become one of the country’s largest private companies with over 28,000 team members serving customers at over 700 locations nationwide.

In 2014, the University of Tennessee honored Haslam by naming The James A. Haslam II College of Business for him after receiving a landmark gift of $50 million, which was made in honor of the Haslam family patriarch. In 2016, Haslam received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, bestowed upon leaders who triumph over adversity to achieve success and who are committed to philanthropy and higher education. A strong believer in giving back to the community, Haslam founded the Haslam Family Foundation, which has contributed millions of dollars to charitable organizations.

Haslam has been a Director of the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, First American Bank, AmSouth Bank, and Appalachian Life Insurance Company. He was a trustee for the University of Tennessee for 27 years and Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee. He has been the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Knoxville, Webb School of Knoxville, Public Building Authority, and United Way of Greater Knoxville. Haslam is married to Natalie Leach Haslam, a former honoree of the East Tennessean of the Year award. They have six adult children, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

The East Tennessee Historical Society has bestowed the East Tennessean of the Year award to honorees who are ambassadors for the East Tennessee region and represent integrity, dignity, leadership, and the volunteer spirit. The award is given by the ETHS Board of Directors to an East Tennessean with either a recent accomplishment or a compilation of accomplishments in fields such as history, politics, entertainment, education, or humanitarian work that improves the lives of others. Previous honorees include Bill Haslam, Roy Kramer, Pete DeBusk, Natalie L. Haslam, Phillip Fulmer, Lamar Alexander, Jenny and Randy Boyd, and Rick Barnes.

View all photos from the event.