Nashville Business Hall of Fame | Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee

JA Nashville Business Leaders Hall of Fame

When: Wednesday, October 23

Where: Music City Center

Time: 6-9 p.m.

JA honors Hall of Fame Laureates for their leadership and success in business and community involvement.

Just as there are halls of fame established to recognize high achievement in sports and music, the Nashville Business Hall of Fame was established in 1991 by Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee to venerate icons of commerce and industry. The criteria for laureate selection includes a demonstration of business excellence, courageous thinking and acting, inspired leadership, and community-mindedness.

In partnership with Delta Air Lines, Junior Achievement is honored to announce that Darrell Freeman was selected as the 2019 JA Nashville Business Hall of Fame Laureate.

For more information on how to attend next year's event or to become a sponsor please email Abby Banks or call 615-627-1183.

Past Hall of Fame Laureates

2018 Hall of Fame Laureate

Bill Haslam

Governor Bill Haslam
State of Tennessee 2011-2019
"A Force For Good"

2017 Hall of Fame Laureate

John Ferguson

Mr. Johnn Ferguson
Retired, CEO & Chairman CCA, Former Commissioner of Finance and Administration, State of Tennessee
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Sir Winston Churchill

2016 Hall of Fame Laureate

Marty Dickens

Mr. Marty Dickens
AT&T Tennessee, Retired
"Every big decision started with one phone call."
Read Mr. Dickens Bio

2015 Hall of Fame Laureate

Amy Grant

Ms. Amy Grant
Singer-Songwriter
"30 million albums sold, 26 Dove Awards, 11 Grammy Awards and nominations, but what's most remarkable is the voice she's given to others."

2014 Hall of Fame Laureate

Jack O. Bovender, Jr.

Mr. Jack O. Bovender, Jr.
HCA, Retired
"Some medical histories are more impressive than others."

2013 Hall of Fame Laureate

Rob McCabe

Mr. Rob McCabe
Pinnacle Financial Partners
"In the financial world, many climb the mountain...few reach the pinnacle."

2012 Hall of Fame Laureate

Mark Emkes

Mr. Mark Emkes
Bridgestone Americas and the State of Tennessee, Retired
"Some career achievements need no inflating."

2011 Hall of Fame Laureate

Hal Pennington

Mr. Hal Pennington
Genesco, Retired
"Some leave their fingerprints on the world of business. Others, their footprints"

2010 Hall of Fame Laureate

Ron Samuels

Mr. Ron Samuels
Avenue Bank
"For 35 years in Nashville, the Avenue to civil leadership, boundless energy, banking innovation, rock n' roll, and business vitality, has traveled through."

2009 Hall of Fame Laureate

Joe Scarlet

Mr. Joe Scarlett
Retired, Tractor Supply company and The Scarlett Leadership Institute
"When teaching becomes life-transforming"

A Special Thanks to Our 2019 Sponsors

"Junior Achievement has given me a sense of what adults go through with budget issues."

-Junior Achievement Student
"Junior Achievement reinforced concepts for me to remember later in life."

-Junior Achievement Student
"I thought the experience was amazing. The presentation was unlike anything I've seen."

-Junior Achievement Student
"I liked how the Junior Achievement volunteer explained his job to us."

-Junior Achievement Student