The Knoxville Chamber recently announced finalists and winners of its 14th Annual Pinnacle
Business Awards, presented by Regions Bank. The Impact Award, sponsored by Publix, honors a business that displays a commitment to making East Tennessee a better place to live and work through the development and support of community projects or programs. This year’s winner was Strata-G, LLC.

The Innovator Award, sponsored by Cirrus Insight, is given to a business that has developed a new technology, innovative product or service, or applied a business system or service in an innovative way. This year’s winner was GRIDSMART Technologies, Inc.

The Small Business Excellence Award is presented to a business with 50 or fewer employees that has consistently grown its workforce and revenue and overcome obstacles including access to capital, operational efficiency, control of expenses, customer loyalty and distribution. This year’s recipient was Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating and Cooling.

The Minority-Owned Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Covenant Health, recognizes a minority-owned business that has produced outstanding business results and growth and overcome the obstacles of race or ethnicity. This year’s recipient was MBK Wellness of Knoxville.

The Woman-Owned Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Cannon & Cannon, is given to an outstanding woman-owned business that is independently owned, operated and controlled by a female. The winner was BGT Recruiting and Consulting.

Lloyd’s Electric Service, Inc. took home the Business Excellence Award for Mid- Sized Businesses. DeRoyal Industries was given the top award in the Large Business Excellence Award.

The Young Entrepreneur Award, presented by Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC, is awarded to a young professional, 40 years of age or younger, who lives and works in East Tennessee and has achieved success, while overcoming obstacles, to become one of tomorrow’s top leaders. The 2018 recipient was Bradford Jones, CEO of Bradford Catered Events.

The James A. Haslam II Chairman’s Leadership Award, presented by Prestige Cleaners, is given to a longtime business leader that exhibits strength in character, resolve and a commitment to the community and has demonstrated exemplary success in the regional business community. This year’s honoree was Sharon Miller Pryse, CEO and founder of The Trust Company of Tennessee.