JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT TO RECOGNIZE MILES, PERSHING, ROACH

March 2, 2015

For more information:
Callie Archer
Junior Achievement of East Tennessee
865-457-2461

[title]

27th annual East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame dinner to be held April 9

Junior Achievement of East Tennessee has named its East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame laureates for 2015: Amy Miles, CEO of Regal Entertainment Group; Edward V. Pershing, CEO and co-founder of Pershing Yoakley & Associates (PYA); and Mintha Roach, president and CEO of Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB).

The honorees will be recognized at the 27th Annual East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, hosted by Junior Achievement and presented by Pilot Flying J and the Knoxville News Sentinel, on Thursday, April 9, at the Knoxville Marriott.

In the spirit of Junior Achievement’s mission, the individuals being honored embody financial responsibility, leadership, ethics and vision to enrich our city and its surrounding counties. Honorees are chosen based on four criteria: business excellence, courageous thinking and acting, inspired leadership and community-mindedness.

“We are proud to honor the dedicated work of Amy Miles, Ed Pershing and Mintha Roach,” Junior Achievement of East Tennessee President Chip Reed said. “They are outstanding examples of steadfast commitment to community and tremendous success within their industries.

Miles oversees the operation of Regal Entertainment Group. At 7,367 screens in 574 theaters, it is the largest and most geographically diverse theater circuit in the nation. Miles is ranked 44th on the Hollywood Reporter’s 2014 Women in Entertainment Power 100 list.

Pershing has led PYA since its founding in 1983. Under his leadership, the firm has grown from three employees to one of the top health care accounting and consulting firms in the United States. The firm recently was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the top 20 health care consulting firms in the country.

Roach leads KUB, a utility company that provides reliable electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services to more than 444,000 customers. She also is an active community volunteer, serving on a variety of boards at local organizations and playing a key role in the promotion and encouragement of women in leadership positions.

These honorees are selected by a committee of past honorees and community peers and join a distinguished group of past East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame inductees, including: Charlie Anderson, president and CEO of Anderson Media; Randy Boyd, founder and executive chairman of Radio Systems Corp.; Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes and chairman of Clayton Bancorp; James A. Haslam II, founder and chairman of Pilot Corporation; Raja Jubran, CEO of Denark Construction; Dale Keasling, president and CEO of Home Federal Bank of Tennessee; Ted and Avis Phillips, founders of Phillips & Jordan; and Sharon Miller Pryse, president  and CEO of The Trust Company.

Junior Achievement positively impacts students in kindergarten through 12th grade by helping them gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create opportunities for a bright future. JA is poised to reach more than 16,000 students in East Tennessee this school year.

East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame sponsorship packages, tables and individual tickets are available by calling 865-457-2461. For more information, visit http://www.jaeasttennessee.org.