Sweet Tea and Strategy

Does a college degree really matter anymore? Dr. Philip Oldham, President of Tennessee Tech, argues that it's more vital than ever for quality of life and career longevity.

Listeners will learn how Tennessee Tech focuses on student retention with simple, strategic interventions and prepares graduates for careers that may change eight times in their lifetime.

In this episode, Dr. Philip Oldham shares his vision for Tennessee Tech, emphasizing affordability, the university's "real" personality, and its role as a "manufacturing facility for talent." Discover the success of their engineering programs, which produce a quarter of the state's engineers, and learn about the "Rural Reimagined" Grand Challenge that engages students and faculty in solving complex problems for rural communities.

Hit play to discover how Tennessee Tech is bold, fearless, and confident in shaping the future of higher education—Wings Up!

What does it take for a state to not only attract global giants like Amazon and Facebook but also keep its established businesses thriving?

Listeners will understand the complex interplay of workforce development, strategic infrastructure, and personal relationships that drive Tennessee's status as a top economic hub.

In this episode, Cathy Ackerman sits down with Bob Rolfe, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Community and Economic Development. Bob explains why Tennessee is a "one-stop shop" for relocating businesses, detailing the state's strategic focus on being "business-friendly" through centralized points of contact for everything from infrastructure to permitting. He recounts the state’s success in attracting massive technology investments from Amazon, Facebook, and Google, while also highlighting the vital role of rural initiatives in reducing distressed counties. Discover how personal relationships and a commitment to workforce education, through programs like Tennessee Connect, are creating high-quality job opportunities across the state.

Tune in to discover the strategy behind Tennessee's booming economic landscape—hit play now!

Listeners will gain an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous clinical trial process, moving past misinformation to understand the facts of vaccine research.

Robin Wilhoit, anchor at WBIR-TV, joins Erin Freeman to discuss her decision to participate in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Robin details the extensive screening process, the physical side effects she experienced, and the importance of journalistic transparency in documenting this historic scientific effort.

Why does a leading national healthcare consultant believe East Tennessee is on the verge of a cultural breakthrough?

Ed Pershing shares how PYA evolved from a local accounting firm into a top-tier national consulting leader, and why he’s now focusing on regional advocacy and public policy.

Ed Pershing, co-founder of PYA, joins the podcast to discuss his 36-year journey in professional services. He delves into the strategic creation of Teknovation to highlight local talent, the necessity of improved business acumen in healthcare, and the systemic challenges of affordability and accessibility. Ed also offers a behind-the-scenes look at PYA's national reach and his plans for "post-retirement" advocacy.

Listen to the full episode to learn about the strategy behind one of the country's top healthcare consulting firms and the future of innovation in Tennessee.

What does it take to clean up 6 million square feet of the world's most hazardous buildings—and finish the job four years ahead of schedule?

In this episode of Sweet Tea and Strategy, you'll learn how Ken Rueter and the UCOR team turned a "troubled" federal project into a model of "Investment Worthy" performance, saving taxpayers $600 million while fueling a quarter-billion-dollar annual economic engine in East Tennessee.

Ken Rueter, President and CEO of UCOR, dives deep into the high-stakes world of environmental remediation at the former K-25 gaseous diffusion plant in Oak Ridge. He breaks down the three mission pillars—cleanup for industrial reuse, conservation, and historic preservation—that are paving the way for the nation’s 409th National Park. Ken shares the secrets of UCOR’s "Culture of Excellence," a unique safety philosophy that has made the site five times safer than general industry, and explains how "shared governance" has fostered a powerful partnership between management and labor. From super-saturated sweet tea to the future of medical isotope production in North America, this conversation explores the intersection of world-class engineering and local community prosperity.

Listen now to discover the strategy behind one of the most successful business turnarounds in federal contracting history.

What if the modern full-time ER doctor was an entirely new concept only 40 years ago?

In this episode of Sweet Tea and Strategy, you'll learn how Dr. Lynn Massingale and his partners transformed a local emergency medicine gap in East Tennessee into TeamHealth, one of the largest physician groups in the United States.

Dr. Lynn Massingale, co-founder of TeamHealth, shares the strategic blueprint behind the company's massive growth—from its origins at UT Hospital in 1979 to seeing 28 million patients annually today. He dives deep into the "Culture of Excellence" that prioritizes patient care and clinician retention, explores the complex financial disputes with insurance payers regarding "surprise billing," and discusses the critical role of primary care in a successful healthcare system. Lynn also provides a candid look at the challenges facing rural hospitals and why he remains "bullish" on the future of personalized, high-quality medicine.

Click play to hear the business and medical wisdom of one of Knoxville's most prominent corporate leaders.

What does it mean to truly "be a volunteer" at one of the country's most iconic universities?

Chancellor Donde Plowman shares how she is shifting the University of Tennessee Knoxville from a reactive to a proactive institution, focusing on inclusivity and strategic community engagement.

In her first few months as Chancellor, Dr. Plowman has prioritised listening to the campus community through open office hours and state-wide engagement. She discusses the university's 225-year legacy, the importance of its land-grant mission, and the unique competitive advantage offered by its proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Listen to the full episode to discover how UT Knoxville is shaping the next decade of higher education in Tennessee.

What if the secret to building a world-class tourist attraction wasn't the artifacts themselves, but the stories you tell about them?

In this milestone 10th episode of Sweet Tea and Strategy, you'll discover how Mary Kellogg Joslyn applied decades of high-level Disney and CBS experience to transform the historical tragedy of the Titanic into an immersive, multi-million dollar "museum attraction."

Mary Kellogg Joslyn, President and COO of Titanic Museum Attractions, shares the strategic blueprint behind the ship's iconic design—leveraging the "nag factor" to capture the attention of families on the Parkway. She pulls back the curtain on her time at Disney and CBS, explaining how meticulous planning and an "employee-first" philosophy are vital to maintaining a high-quality guest experience. Mary also reveals the future of the attraction, including the highly anticipated arrival of the bandmaster's violin and new efforts to honor Jewish passengers through a dedicated kosher kitchen exhibit. Beyond the artifacts, the episode highlights the museum's profound community impact, from its unique autism-sensitive morning tours to its dedicated "Titanic College" for staff.

Click play to learn how strategic storytelling and proactive management continue to keep history afloat in Pigeon Forge.

What if the key to your city's economic growth was hidden in its greenways and riverbanks?

In this episode of Sweet Tea and Strategy, you'll discover how a small but mighty nonprofit is transforming the East Tennessee landscape, turning natural assets into powerful drivers for workforce development and community livability.

Carol Evans, Executive Director of the Legacy Parks Foundation, shares the organization's journey from a startup in a donated office to a regional leader in park development and land conservation. She defines her unique concept of community "connectedness" across literal, visual, economic, and emotional dimensions, explaining why businesses are now prioritizing quality of life as their top recruitment tool. From the ambitious "Knoxville to the Smokies" greenway vision to the grassroots energy of the Powell community's Beaver Creek project, Carol reveals how strategic partnerships—including a surprising collaboration with the Department of Energy—are making outdoor recreation accessible to everyone.

Listen now to learn how Legacy Parks is building a lasting regional identity through the simple yet profound act of connecting people to the land.

What if a simple building filled with water could single-handedly revitalize a desolate downtown and generate over $100 million in annual economic impact?

In this episode of Sweet Tea and Strategy, you'll learn how the Tennessee Aquarium shifted from a bold 1990s vision to a global scientific leader, leveraging its unique freshwater mission to drive regional growth and conservation.

Keith Sanford, President and CEO of the Tennessee Aquarium, explores the strategic pillars that make this institution an international standout. He details the aquarium's critical role in regional education, offering lifelike scientific experiences for thousands of schoolkids, and discusses the high-stakes work of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. From the reintroduction of the nearly-extinct lake sturgeon to pioneering research on river microplastics, Keith provides a look into the future of scientific leadership in Chattanooga. He also shares personal insights from his own late-career transition from banking to the nonprofit world, emphasizing the importance of "animal-centric" culture and constant innovation in guest experience.

Listen now to discover the business strategy and scientific heart behind one of the world's top-ranked aquariums.