Some careers follow a straight line. Bill Lamb’s took a detour through heavy equipment, concrete paving and a few years away from college before bringing him back to engineering.
Lamb was born in Indianapolis and moved to Kokomo, Indiana, when he was young. Tennessee, however, was already part of his family story. His mother was from Caryville, and his father was from LaFollette. When Lamb was in second grade, his father received a promotion with the spring company where he worked, and the family relocated to Lebanon, Tennessee.
After high school, Lamb enrolled at Tennessee Tech University and majored in civil engineering. He left college for several years and spent three years operating heavy equipment in the concrete paving business. Working outside every day apparently made the classroom look a little more appealing.
Lamb returned to Tennessee Tech, graduated and became a licensed structural engineer. He later owned his own structural engineering business in Hendersonville for 10 years.
Today, Lamb lives in Knoxville and serves as engineering manager for Elrod Engineering, headquartered in Smyrna. The company designs projects ranging from single-family homes to large industrial plants and holds contracts across the country. Lamb is professionally licensed in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
Lamb has four children and is basically a newlywed, remarrying in 2024.
Three Truths and a Lie
But a résumé only tells part of the story. Which of these statements about Lamb is the lie?
- Lamb is a talented musician who plays guitar and composes music. In high school, he was part of an ensemble singing group that performed at programs and special events around Middle Tennessee.
- A musical high point came when his group performed a song he wrote, “Cookies, Christmas, and You,” at an annual meeting of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.
- Lamb played football and ran the high hurdles in track in high school. One memorable moment came when he scored the winning touchdown on a draw play during a homecoming game.
- Lamb and his wife love to hike and once made it all the way to the top of Mount Olympus in Greece.
So, how well did you read Lamb? The engineer really is a musician; he really did score that homecoming-winning touchdown, and he and his wife really did tackle Mount Olympus. But “Cookies, Christmas, and You” and that Lebanon Chamber performance belong on the fictional side of Lamb’s story — a fitting twist in getting to know the man beyond the engineering plans.
The Rotary Club of Bearden welcomes professionals, business leaders, and community members who are interested in fellowship, networking, and service.
Founded in 1960, the Rotary Club of Bearden is part of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.4 million members dedicated to creating lasting change in communities worldwide. Club members support local charitable organizations, educational initiatives, youth leadership programs, and international service projects while promoting the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club of Bearden meets every Friday, 12:15 p.m. for a luncheon meeting/program at Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike, 37919. All guests are welcome. Contact Joseph Pace with membership questions: here.
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