business briefs
• Charles Martinez, assistant professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, recently received the Emerging Scholar Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association. The award is presented to high-performing, early-career professionals with demonstrated research and resulting publication activity.
Martinez was chosen among peers nationwide for this distinguished honor. He received the award during the annual SAEA meeting in Irving, Texas on Feb. 3.
• State Rep. Michele Carringer (R-Knoxville) recently was appointed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to serve as chairwoman of the House Population Health Subcommittee for the 114th General Assembly.
Carringer is an advertising professional who served on Knox County Commission for four years prior to her election to the State House in 2019. She also has been involved in several non-profits, including Knoxville Academy of Medical Alliance and Knox County Foster Care Review Board.
• Visit Knoxville and Earthadelic recently partnered to make the turf at Covenant Health Park convertible, from a field designed for baseball to a field designed for soccer and back again as needed. It allows for the stadium to host an overlapping baseball season for the Knoxville Smokies alongside One Knoxville Sporting Club.
• A VOLthon Dance Marathon, presented by UT Federal Credit Union, recently raised a record-breaking $271,257 for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital at UT-Knoxville’s Student Union and Pilot Company Grand Ballroom. More than 600 students attended.
