Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore named Charles M. Sargent Legacy Award recipient, Marianne Schroer awarded Anne T. Rutherford Award at 16th annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards

 Hundreds of people were present Tuesday, Nov. 15, to honor the recipients in the 16th Annual Franklin Tomorrow Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards, held at Rolling Hills Community Church.

Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore watches a video with his wife Linda and Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate after receiving the Charles M. Sargent Legacy Award. (Photo courtesy of Cassie Jones)

Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore was given the Charles M. Sargent Legacy Award, which recognizes an individual who has made significant impact in the areas of business, quality of life, and leadership. It is named for the late 61^st District Tennessee Rep. Charles Sargent, who received the award before his death in 2018.

In presenting the award, Franklin Tomorrow said, “Rep. Charles Sargent was not only a listener but a doer, not just for those who supported him, but always with the best interest of the community at heart. Franklin Mayor Ken Moore emulates that style of leadership, whether as mayor, as a friend, and in the many volunteer roles which he has undertaken.”

Moore is the 31st Mayor and second physician to head the City of Franklin. He practiced orthopedic surgery for more than twenty-eight years and gained recognition on a state and national level as a leader. He was recognized as the Tennessee Mayor of the Year in 2018 by the Tennessee Municipal League. The Greater Nashville Regional Council has recognized him twice with the Hank Thompson Award for leadership and integrity.

Outside activities include working shoulder to shoulder with Rep. Sargent and others to bring a new campus to Williamson County for Columbia State Community College. He has also previously served as chairman of the Columbia State Foundation Board and was recognized by the Board of Regents with the Chancellor’s Award.

Someone once wrote about Ken Moore, “Physicians don’t have a lot in common with politicians — at least at first blush,” but Ken Moore disagreed saying the two professions have at least one major skill in common—the ability and willingness to listen.

Mayor Moore maintains a passion for delivering healthcare to the underserved and is medical director for the Shalom Foundation which provides free surgery to poor Guatemalan Children and was highly involved in the opening of an Outpatient Surgery Center for the Foundation in Guatemala City. He has focused on health in the City of Franklin with a particular focus on Mental Health through Find Hope Franklin, a community-based resource with a mission to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and create an environment where anyone can feel empowered to ask for help.

Alongside local pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Hill, Mayor Moore brought together faith leaders alongside lay members of the community to found Unite Williamson, which recently held its fifth interfaith prayer breakfast and was created to bring together and connect our faith-based organizations for the benefit of everyone in our community.

Under his leadership and in partnership with Franklin Tomorrow, the City has been recognized as a Healthier Community by then Governor Haslam and also an All-American City.

Marianne Schroer was presented the Anne T. Rutherford Award by Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate and Board Chair Patrick Baggett. (Photo courtesy of Cassie Jones)

Receiving the Anne T. Rutherford Award was Marianne Schroer, who has served as director of Williamson County CASA, but also the Williamson County Recovery Court, but also as a dedicated volunteer for numerous nonprofits.

“Marianne has spent her life fighting for the underdogs, not accepting the status quo when there was a better way, including the excluded.  Marianne has used her connections, her education, and her spiritual beliefs to guide her through life and it’s been to the benefit of our community as a whole through service to individuals.” Franklin Tomorrow said in presenting the award.

Schroer has served on boards from The Battle of Franklin Trust, Foster Care Review, African American Heritage Society, and The Heritage Foundation, among others. Schroer has been involved with Franklin Tomorrow since its start more than 20 years ago and was one of the organizers of the first major fundraiser, a chili cookoff held at Pumpkinfest.

“She’s made huge strides in the way preservation is done in our county, helped tell a fuller version of our history, and promoted diversity and inclusion — even before that was a buzz word — through her efforts,” was another part of the presentation.

Schroer distinguished herself as a nonprofit volunteer when she oversaw the “herculean task” of navigating the boards of three nonprofits into one, known today as the Battle of Franklin Trust. The Battle of Franklin Trust oversees the operation of the original historic properties including Carnton and the Carter House and now, Rippavilla in Spring Hill. Schroer’s leadership was essential in creating the single cohesive board that represents all the properties today.

Numerous other awards were given on Tuesday night and are listed below.

Corporate Volunteerism Award:

Weifield Group, nominated by Poplar Grove Elementary Principal Alisha Erickson, for the Wishes for Wheels project to provide over 60 bikes to students

Corporate Individual Achievement Award:

Julia Kaehr from Parks Realty for her Little Red Wagon Food Drive project benefitting GraceWorks Ministries

Teade Tagaloa of LP Building Solutions for her work with Hard Bargain Association

Emerging Leader Award:

Chase Harper, Heritage Foundation Next Gen, Williamson Inc. Board, City of Franklin Sustainability Commission

Mauri Riesenberg, A Vintage Affair, Franklin Tomorrow and other nonprofits and organizations

Emily Valadez, Franklin Special School District teacher and lacrosse club sports founder

Neighbor To Neighbor Award:

Katie Creighton, founder of Erika’s Safe Place

Mariana Gutierrez, nominated by Path United and for her work at Poplar Grove School

Volunteer Spirit Awards:

Al Adams, Mercy Community Healthcare Advisory Board

Christine McCann, Saddle Up!

Grayling Pruitt, Habitat for Humanity, Williamson-Maury Counties

Glynn Riddle, United Way VITA Tax Service

Richard Youngs, GraceWorks Ministries

Youth Initiative Award:

Audrey Oxford, nominated by Freedom Reigns Ranch

Elizabeth Schmitz, nominated by Shower Up Nashville Civic Group Award

Franklin Tomorrow Board President Patrick Baggett presented five awards which were the Family Impact Award to Jill & Tim McNeese for their work with Backlight Productions; the Community Leadership Award to Tom Powell, for his dedication to Franklin’s Charge as its treasurer; a Community Servant Leadership Award to Adam Ballash for his dedication to land conservation in our community through leadership and advocacy with several organizations, including Friends of Franklin Parks; and finally, a Lifetime Achievement Award to Nancy Conway, for more than 40 years of leadership and service to the business community, as well as a nonprofit volunteer. Past Franklin Tomorrow Board President Allena Bell received the Board Impact Award.

Franklin Tomorrow’s Exemplary Community Volunteers Awards are made possible through a host of partners, including Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services, FirstBank, Buerger, Moseley, & Carson PLC, Franklin Rotary at Breakfast, The TMA Group, and Rep. Sam Whitson. Thanks are also due to a group of elected officials from Williamson County, including County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Sheriff Dusty Rhoades, County Clerk Jeff Whidby, Register of Deeds Sherry Anderson, Circuit Court Clerk Debbie Barrett, Property Assessor Brad Coleman, Judge Sharon Guffee, District Attorney General Kim Helper, Juvenile Court Clerk Margaret Mahew, and County Trustee Karen Paris.

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Franklin Tomorrow today announced the nominees in six categories for Franklin Tomorrow’s 16th annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards, which will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. at Rolling Hills Community Church, 1810 Columbia Ave.

There will be light refreshments and a social time with doors opening at 5 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of partners, including presenting partner Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services, there is no cost to attend this year’s event, but RSVPs are requested by following this link.

More than 20 nonprofits, other organizations and individuals submitted nominees for the awards, with the nominees to be announced Monday, Nov. 7.

Nominees by category include:

Corporate Volunteerism Award: Tractor Supply Company, nominated by Saddle Up!; Weifield Group, nominated by Poplar Grove Elementary.

Corporate Individual Achievement Award: Teade Tagaloa, nominated for her work with Hard Bargain Association; and Julia Kaehr, nominated for the Little Red Wagon Food Drive, benefitting GraceWorks Ministries.

Volunteer Spirit Award: Al Adams, Mercy Community Healthcare Advisory Board; Glynn Riddle, United Way/VITA; Richard Youngs, GraceWorks; Grayling Pruitt, Habitat for Humanity-Williamson-Maury County; Christine McCann, Saddle Up!; Jill & Tim McNeese, Backlight Productions; Jeff Brasher, OneGen Away; Paul Bonner, Gentry’s Educational Foundation; Allena Bell, Franklin Special Schools, Smart Women Advisory Board & Franklin Tomorrow; Jaclyn Ledbetter, Downtown Franklin Rotary, Heritage Foundation, My Friend’s House, Davis House, Friends of Franklin Parks; Walter Green Downtown Neighborhood Association; Revida Rahman & Jennifer Cortez, One WillCo; Katherine Swafford, Freedom Intermediate School PTO; Claudia Parker, Williamson County Animal Center & Sister Cities of Franklin; Tom Powell, Franklin’s Charge; Theresa R. Victory, Friends of Williamson County Public Library; Chris Wharton, Page High School Alumni Mentor; Bob Steele, Franklin Theatre; Kelly Fortner, FrankTown Open Hearts & Franklin Fellows; and Jerome Whitehead, Williamson Medical Center.

Emerging Leader Award: Rebekah Zeitlin, Waves Inc., Congregation Micah, & Make-A-Wish; Chase Harper, Williamson Inc., Heritage Foundation Next Gen, City of Franklin Sustainability Commission; Stacey Downs, A Vintage Affair; Emily Valadez, Franklin Special Schools; Nicole Brooks, Habitat for Humanity, Williamson-Maury; and Mauri Riesenberg, A Vintage Affair and Franklin Tomorrow.

Youth Initiative Award: Addie Grace Leggett, GraceWorks, PENCIL & Best Buddies; Audrey Oxford, Freedom Reigns Ranch; Jena Farris, Independence Habitat For Humanity, JROTC; Estefani Alatorre & Gabriela Sanchez, Path United; and Elizabeth Schmitz, ShowerUp Nashville.

Neighbor to Neighbor Award: Franklin Rotary Club at Noon BBQ Society; Mariana Gutierrez, Path United & Poplar Grove volunteer; Brentwood Noon Rotary for Miles Together Playground project; Katie Creighton, Erika’s Safe Place; and Franklin Special School District School Health Nurses.

Also, a special In Memoriam program will honor community leaders, volunteers and individuals who have passed away over the last year.
Franklin Tomorrow will also present additional awards, including the Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award and the Charles M. Sargent Leadership Award. Franklin Tomorrow Board Chair Patrick Baggett will also have awards.

Each award carries a cash prize to the nonprofit of the recipient’s choice.

In addition to Williamson Memorial, Franklin Tomorrow wishes to thank Franklin Rotary at Breakfast; FirstBank; Buerger Moseley Carson, PLC; The TMA Group, and the following elected officials for their support — County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Sheriff Dusty Rhoades, District Attorney Kim Helper, Property Assessor Brad Coleman, County Clerk Jeff Whidby, Trustee Karen Paris, Register of Deeds Sherry Anderson, Circuit Court Clerk Debbie Barrett, Juvenile Court Clerk Margaret Mayhew, and Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee. It is not too late to be a sponsor and those interested can email CEO Mindy Tate at mindy@franklintomorrow.org.

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Nominations have been received for the 16th Annual Franklin Tomorrow Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards, which will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. at Rolling Hills Community Church, 1810 Columbia Ave.
There will be light refreshments and a social time with doors opening at 5 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of partners, including presenting partner Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services, there is no cost to attend this year’s event, but RSVPs are requested by following this link.
More than 20 nonprofits, other organizations and individuals submitted nominees for the awards, with the nominees to be announced Monday, Nov. 7.
Franklin and Williamson County are blessed to have community members, organizations and companies of all sizes who give unselfishly to make our community a better place.
“Franklin Tomorrow has planned since the beginning of the year to hold our annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards in November,” CEO Mindy Tate said. “This is a night we look forward to throughout the year as it shines the spotlight on the people who make Williamson County such a fantastic place to live, work, and play.”
Categories for the awards include the Volunteer Spirit Award, which honors up to three individuals involved in altering the environment around them simply by their service and heart for their community; the Youth Initiative Award, given to individuals under the age of 21 who are involved either in a variety of community activities or primarily in one organization as a significant volunteer; the Neighbor to Neighbor Award, given to an individual or organization that has shown extreme generosity to its neighbors in Williamson County and has exceeded expectation in terms of giving back to the community; and the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes a young professional between 20 and 40 years of age whose professional or volunteer efforts are having a positive impact on his or her community.
Franklin Tomorrow received so many great nominees this year, Tate said, and to make sure we honor as many volunteers that we can, categories may be adjusted accordingly.
Also, a special In Memoriam program will honor community leaders, volunteers and individuals who have passed away over the last year.
Franklin Tomorrow will also present additional awards, including the Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award and the Charles M. Sargent Leadership Award. Franklin Tomorrow Board Chair Patrick Baggett will also have awards.
Each award carries a cash prize to the nonprofit of the recipient’s choice.
In addition to Williamson Memorial, Franklin Tomorrow wishes to thank FirstBank; Buerger Moseley Carson, PLC; The TMA Group, and the following elected officials for their support — County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Sheriff Dusty Rhoades, District Attorney Kim Helper, Property Assessor Brad Coleman, County Clerk Jeff Whidby, Trustee Karen Paris, Register of Deeds Sherry Anderson, Circuit Court Clerk Debbie Barrett, and Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee. It is not too late to be a sponsor and those interested can email CEO Mindy Tate at mindy@franklintomorrow.org.
About Franklin Tomorrow
Franklin Tomorrow is an independent, nonprofit community visioning and engagement organization founded in 2000 by a group of business and community leaders. Our mission is to engage the community, foster collaboration, and advocate for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. Learn more at www.franklintomorrow.org.

Volunteer Award Winners 2011-2021