Cortney Piper
Piper Communications

After moving from Michigan to Knoxville to swim and attend school at the University of Tennessee, Cortney Piper now calls East Tennessee home.

She grew a successful public relations business, Piper Communications, in the midst of the 2008 recession focused on advanced energy and technology that’s helped elevate the significance of East Tennessee as an innovation hub.

As part of that business, she recognized an opportunity to organize the advanced energy sector statewide and leverage energy innovation as a means to economic development and job creation. That organization is the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council and she also serves as its executive director.

Never one to turn away from a challenge, she accepted a project to organize entrepreneurial support organizations in East Tennessee. That coalition, called the Innov865 Alliance, collaborates to develop, support and promote East TN as a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

In her spare time, she stumbled into becoming an advocate for special education after her son was diagnosed with Autism. Cortney organized a group of parents who successfully proposed and passed school board policy in Knox County to ensure students with special needs have access to the the supports and services they need to thrive in the classroom. She also serves on the Knox County Schools Special Education Parent Council.

Cortney lives in Holston Hills with her husband, Barry Armstrong, triplets Olivia, Aidan and Sophia and former feral cat Freida.

Ashely Walker
Tennessee Valley Authority

As a lifelong East Tennessean, Ashley is proud to call Knoxville home! Her journey with TVA began with spending summers at her grandparents' house on Watts Bar Lake in Kingston. There, she learned the importance of the Tennessee River; back then, it was more for tubing and swimming, but now she realizes how much more TVA does than just managing the river. As a Senior Social Media Specialist, Ashley is part of the team managing TVA's social media accounts and creating content to showcase the various activities TVA is undertaking throughout the region. A few years ago, Ashley had the opportunity to star in a travel video series alongside TVA historian Pat Ezzell. They traveled through seven states and nine cities, highlighting TVA facilities and unique communities across the TVA region. Outside of work, Ashley is wrapping up her term on the board for SoKno Pride, a nonprofit that supports and uplifts the LGBTQIA+ community and other underserved communities in Knoxville. Last year, SoKno Pride raised thousands of dollars for a local nonprofit plus dozens of community microgrants! Her role on the board is to plan the vendor area with small businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations.

Rian Fann
Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Rian Fann is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying Public Relations with a dual degree in Journalism and Media. Rian currently serves as Vice President of the PRSSA UTK Sammie Lynn Puett Chapter and works as the Social Media and Public Relations intern for Dollywood Parks & Resorts. He also works with the Tennessee Football program as a videographer, cutting and organizing game and practice film used by coaches and players in team meetings. After graduating, Rian will continue his education through the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations 4+1 Master’s Program. He plans to pursue a career in the NFL as a team media relations specialist or social media manager, combining his passion for strategic communication, sports and storytelling.