The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized Pres Lawhon, the Vice President of North American Operations of PBR Automotive USA, as the 2006 Volunteer of the Year.  Lawhon has eighteen years in the automotive industry and oversees all of PBR’s North American operations from the Knoxville facility.   PBR, an Australia based company, manufactures brake calipers for the automotive industry and has facilities in Columbia, South Carolina and Detroit, Michigan.

TEDC is the statewide professional organization for people involved in economic development. The Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1977.  Recipients of the award must be nominated by their peers and selected by the TEDC Board of Directors from the field of nominees.

Lawhon was instrumental in helping spearhead a Manufacturing Leadership Council for plant managers around the Knoxville metropolitan area.  He felt that it was critical for leaders of manufacturing and distribution facilities to have a regular forum to share common ideas and concerns.  The manufacturing leadership council currently has 150 members. 

Lawhon served for two years as chair of the Knoxville Chamber’s Economic Development Committee as well as serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee for a three-year term.  In June 2006, he played a key role in a meeting between PBR’s Australian leadership and commissioner Matt Kisber in a trade mission to Australia.  He also convinced Australian management that Knoxville and the State of Tennessee was the optimum choice for PBR to establish their North American Headquarters.

“Pres Lawhon is very deserving of this honor,” said Mark Herbison, TEDC President and Vice President of Economic Development for the Memphis Regional Chamber.” “He is an ambassador for the State of Tennessee’s economic development efforts and his value of giving back to one’s community shows the true spirit of volunteerism.”

“I am extremely honored to receive this recognition,” said Lawhon.” “TEDC is a valuable organization for Tennessee and in the world of economic development, so this award means a great deal to me.”

Lawhon’s accomplishments were recognized in October at the TEDC annual fall conference, which was held in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Doug Lawyer, TEDC Vice President and Director of Economic Development for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, presented him with the award honoring his service to his community and the state of Tennessee.