Bill Haslam, sworn in as the 49th governor of Tennessee
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Bill was blessed with parents who instilled their strong faith and work ethic in their children. As a young man, Bill excelled in academics and sports and was a leader in student government. At thirteen, Bill got a job pumping gas at a family-owned service station, and quickly learned that running a small business took diligent hard work. When Bill was 16 years old, tragedy struck his family. The sudden, unexpected death of his mother marked a turning point in his young life. Bill’s dad pulled the family together and they leaned on each other and on their faith to get through the tough days.
Bill entered Emory University in 1976, and on the first day of class, met Crissy, a young woman from Memphis who would later become his wife. While attending college in Atlanta, Bill was a volunteer leader for Young Life, a Christian ministry that reaches out to adolescents. During the summers, Bill volunteered for the grassroots political campaigns of Howard Baker and Lamar Alexander and gained a deep understanding of the type of principled leadership needed to govern.
After graduating with a degree in History, Bill and Crissy married and moved to Knoxville, where Bill had agreed, at his father's urging, to work "for a couple of years" managing his family's small chain of gas stations. In the early years, Bill spent long days driving all over the country identifying, negotiating and purchasing good locations for new truck-stops. While lots of politicians talk about creating jobs—Bill Haslam has actually done it. When he first went to work for the company, Pilot Corporation had 800 employees; today the company has more than 14,000 employees in 39 states. Throughout his time at Pilot, Bill sustained the company's growth by allocating resources wisely, managing the business conservatively, working hard to increase sales and satisfy customers. It was here that Bill gained the essential hands-on knowledge that makes the chief executive officer of a complicated enterprise successful.
Pete Nelson, Eta Rho '94, University of North Alabama
Otherwise known as T-Rac.
K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr., Kansas '44
Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Significant Sig
This man has changed the town forever with the Tennessee Titans.
Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. was an enduring figure in the NFL. As one of the original team owners in the American Football League, he guided his franchise to new heights since relocating to Nashville in 1997, several playoff appearances, an AFC Championship in 1999, an AFC Central title in 2000 and an AFC South title and AFC Championship appearances in 2002 and 2020. In 2001, he became just the sixth current NFL owner to reach the 300-win plateau, joining Lamar Hunt (Kansas City/Dallas), Wellington Mara (N.Y. Giants), Ralph Wilson (Buffalo), Art Modell (Cleveland/Baltimore) and Dan Rooney (Pittsburgh).
A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Adams' interest in sports was first displayed while at Culver Military Academy where he earned letters in football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation from Culver in 1940, Adams attended Menlo College (California), lettering in both rugby and football. Adams then transferred to the engineering school at the University of Kansas where he also lettered in football for the Jayhawks. During his days at KU, Adams met his future wife Nancy Neville and began his loyal affiliation with Sigma Chi Fraternity. He entered the Chapter Eternal October 21, 2013.
Mark A. Emkes, Significant Sig
DePauw, '75
State of Tennessee Department of Finance & Administraton Commissioner, 2011, Appointed by Bill Haslam, Governor
Retired Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. and
Retired Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT)
Mark Emkes was born in Urbana, Illinois on February 16, 1953. He grew up in Indiana and graduated from DePauw University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. In 1976, he earned his MBA degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, located in Glendale, Arizona.
During that same year, Mr. Emkes began his career at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company as an International Trainee. Following his first job changing tires at a Firestone store near Houston, Texas he was promoted to store manager in 1977.
From 1979 to 2000, Emkes’ career at Firestone took him overseas. He held various management positions in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. From field export representative in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to president and managing director, Bridgestone Firestone Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Emkes successfully conquered new challenges as he took on positions of increasing responsibility.
Emkes was promoted to executive vice president of Bridgestone Firestone, Inc. and elected to a seat on its board of directors in 1999, while concurrently holding the title of President of Bridgestone Firestone Brazil.
In 2000, he returned to the United States and was named president of Bridgestone Firestone Latin America.
In September of 2002, he became Chairman, CEO and President of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. He served concurrently as a member of the board of directors of Bridgestone Americas.
On April 1, 2004, Mr. Emkes was promoted to Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. and was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation.
Affiliations:
Advisory Board, Habitat for Humanity, Nashville Chapter
Board of Visitors, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana
Board of Visitors, Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management, Nashville, TN
Executive Board, Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee
Steering Committee, Nashville’s Agenda
Board of Directors, Rubber Manufacturers Association (Immediate Past Chair)
Robert A. McCabe,Jr., Significant Sig
Tennessee-Knoxville '72
Mr. McCabe began his banking career with the former Park National Bank of Knoxville, Tennessee, as an officer trainee in 1976. From 1976 to 1984, Mr. McCabe held various positions with Park National Bank in Knoxville, including senior vice president, until the acquisition of Park National by First American National Bank in 1985.
Mr. McCabe joined First American as an executive vice president of the retail bank of First American National Bank of Nashville, a position he held until 1987 when First American promoted him to president and chief operating officer of the First American Bank of Knoxville. In 1989, Mr. McCabe was given added responsibility by being named president and chief operating officer for First American's east Tennessee region. Mr. McCabe continued in that position until 1991, when First American selected him as president of First American's Corporate Banking division, and shortly thereafter, as president of its General Banking division. In 1994, First American appointed Mr. McCabe as a vice chairman of First American Corporation. In March 1999, Mr. McCabe was appointed by First American to manage all banking and non-banking operations, a position he held until First American's merger with AmSouth Bancorporation in October 1999.
Mr. McCabe also serves as a director of the following registered public companies: Goldleaf Financial Solutions, Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, where he serves as the chairman of the board, and National Health Investors of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is also a director of SSC Services of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Mr. McCabe has been active in various civic organizations within his community, including Leadership Knoxville, Leadership Nashville and Nucleus Knoxville. He is a member of the World President's Organization, Chief Executives Organization, serves as president-elect for The Ensworth School and as chairman of Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art. In addition, Mr. McCabe also serves on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.
Senator Lamar Alexander
Significant Sig Vanderbilt, '62
Lamar Alexander was born in Maryville, the son of a kindergarten teacher and an elementary school principal. He is a seventh generation Tennessean.
He is the only Tennessean ever to be popularly elected both governor and United States Senator. Sen. Alexander is the third ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee responsible for overseeing the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and is a member of the Senate Rules committee.
Sen. Alexander has been U.S. Education Secretary, president of the University of Tennessee, and the Goodman professor at Harvard's School of Government. He was chairman of President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors and the National Governor's Association. In private life, he helped found a company that is now the nation’s largest provider of worksite day care.
In his campaign for governor, Lamar Alexander walked 1,000 miles across Tennessee in his now famous red and black plaid shirt. Once elected, he helped Tennessee become the third largest auto producer and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. He started Tennessee's Governor's Schools for outstanding students.
He is a classical and country pianist and the author of seven books, including Six Months Off, the story of his family’s life in Australia after he was governor.
Lamar Alexander met Honey Buhler at a staff softball game when he worked for Sen. Howard H. Baker of Tennessee and she worked for Sen. John G. Tower of Texas. They were married in 1969 and have four children. He is an elder in Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Lamar Alexander was born in Maryville, the son of a kindergarten teacher and an elementary school principal. He is a seventh generation Tennessean.
He is the only Tennessean ever to be popularly elected both governor and United States Senator. Sen. Alexander is the third ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee responsible for overseeing the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and is a member of the Senate Rules committee.
Sen. Alexander has been U.S. Education Secretary, president of the University of Tennessee, and the Goodman professor at Harvard's School of Government. He was chairman of President Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors and the National Governor's Association. In private life, he helped found a company that is now the nation’s largest provider of worksite day care.
In his campaign for governor, Lamar Alexander walked 1,000 miles across Tennessee in his now famous red and black plaid shirt. Once elected, he helped Tennessee become the third largest auto producer and the first state to pay teachers more for teaching well. He started Tennessee's Governor's Schools for outstanding students.
He is a classical and country pianist and the author of seven books, including Six Months Off, the story of his family’s life in Australia after he was governor.
Lamar Alexander met Honey Buhler at a staff softball game when he worked for Sen. Howard H. Baker of Tennessee and she worked for Sen. John G. Tower of Texas. They were married in 1969 and have four children. He is an elder in Westminster Presbyterian Church.
George H. Cate Jr., Significant Sig Vanderbilt, '49
The George H. Cate, Jr. Award is given by the Metro Tree Advisory committee to recognize an individual or firm within Metro Nashville/Davidson County that has followed or exceeded the spirit and intention of the Metro Nashville Tree Ordinance.
This award honors George H. Cate, Jr. who has served the citizens of Nashville as a former Metro Councilman and Vice Mayor, and who has been a long-term advocate and proponent of the value and benefits of Nashville’s trees.
Judge Thomas A. Wiseman Jr.
Significant Sig
Vanderbilt, '52
Judge Thomas A. Wiseman Jr., senior U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Tennessee, was given the Law School's Distinguished Service Award.
Wiseman, a 1952 graduate of Vanderbilt University who earned his law degree from Vanderbilt in 1954, was appointed to the bench by President Carter in 1978. He served as chief judge from 1984 to 1991 and took senior status in 1995. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968 and was state treasurer from 1971 through 1974. He is an adjunct faculty member at Vanderbilt Law School and served on the school's Alumni Board from 1991 to 1994.
Judge Wiseman has worked with Vanderbilt law students and faculty for decades, inside the classroom and courtroom and in the community, Syverud said. A beloved teacher of trial advocacy and evidence, he has trained countless Vanderbilt law students in his classes and his chambers. His commitment to quality at the Law School and in his students has made Vanderbilt Law School a much better place and, therefore, amply merits his selection as recipient of the 2004 Distinguished Service Award, Syverud added.
On learning that he would receive the honor, Wiseman said, The education I received and the friends I made at Vanderbilt Law School have been largely responsible for any success I have achieved. I am grateful to Vanderbilt for this award and for the opportunity to give back to the institution that has meant so much to me.
Richard W. Frost, Significant Sig
Louisiana State '73
Rick Frost, CEO, joined LP in 1996, with prior industry experience gained at Boise Cascade, Scott Paper Company, SD Warren, and SAPPI, covering a 29-year career in the forest products sector. During his tenure as Vice President of Timberlands and Procurement, Mr. Frost led the divestiture of LP's forestlands and pulp businesses; the achievement of SFI 3rd Party Certification; consolidated all purchasing and logistics operations for the Company, and established an OSB business in Chile. In 2002, Mr. Frost became EVP of LP leading the Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Engineered Wood Products (EWP) businesses, as well as procurement, logistics, corporate engineering and R&D. He also led the exit from the industrial panels and lumber businesses. Mr. Frost was named CEO of LP on Nov. 1, 2004 and is a member of its Board of Directors. He serves on the not-for profit boards of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), the Temperate Forest Foundation (TFF), and is vice-chairman of the National Air and Stream Council (NCASI). He is also past-chairman of the Forest Resources Association (FRA). Mr. Frost holds a B.S. in General Studies and a B.S. in Industrial Forest Management from LSU as well as an MBA from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Nashville Sigma Chi of The Year Honorees
2021: Dusty Rhoades 2019: Jim Hundley 2018: Robert McCabe 2017: Paul Stumb 2016: Tom Morales
2015: Bill Tate 2014: Jim Littlejohn 2013: Phil Ponder 2011: Bob Parks 2010: Thomas H. McAdams
2009: Steve Gill 2008: George H. Cate Jr. 2007: Judge Tom Wiseman 2006: Seab Tuck & Kem Hinton
2005: Jerry Breast 2004: John Rich 2003: Tom Turk 2002: Charlie Hawkins 2001: Ken Roberts
Nashville Young Sigma Chi of The Year Honorees
2021: Chris Schildknecht & Jon Webber
