Johnson Architecture appoints Jeff Williamson, Daryl Johnson to new roles

Johnson Architecture has named principal architect and partner Jeff Williamson president of the full-service architecture and interior design firm located in South Knoxville. Daryl Johnson, who has led the company since its founding in 1994, will continue as founding partner and creative director.

“One of my greatest honors is mentoring other architects, and I’ve been thrilled to watch Jeff grow into the leader he is today,” Johnson said. “I have full confidence in Jeff and the leadership team to manage day-to-day operations, allowing me to focus on special projects and provide design oversight across the firm’s footprint.”

Willamson, AIA, has worked at Johnson Architecture for 17 years and is recognized for his personalized approach to project management, including effective communication and adept problem-solving skills. He takes on the role of president after serving as vice president, principal architect and partner.

Williamson will take responsibility for the firm’s day-to-day operations, strategic growth initiatives, team leadership and overall performance. Johnson Architecture’s leadership team also includes partners Eric Bowen, Rick Friel, Joey Staats, Emily Haire, Heather Overton, Kelly Reynolds and founding partner Daryl Johnson. Learn more at jainc.com.

Consolidation arrives in wireless industry

Frontier has joined Verizon. Frontier handles landlines in Powell and was, for many years, Powell Telephone Company, owned and operated by the Scarbro family. An email came offering a free “iPhone 17 (256 GB).” Absolutely no idea what this means. “To grab this deal, switch now to My Biz Plan with $20/month in add-on spending.”

UScellular has joined T-Mobile. I bought a wireless phone from U.S. Cellular before the company had built its first tower in Knox County. It must have weighed 10 pounds with its portable battery pack and all. But it sure looked cool to walk into Shoney’s and set it on the table. Folks thought I had joined a paramilitary organization.

Now my scruffy little Samsung Galaxy S8 is so old that it takes a couple of days to load the KnoxTNToday obits. But I’m not switching to a free “iPhone 17 (256 GB),” even if it just costs $20/month in add-on spending – whatever that means.

NAI Koella | RM Moore puts 3 brokers in national top 100

Roger Moore

The Knoxville NAI brokerage, NAI Koella | RM Moore, announced that three of its brokers have been recognized by NAI Global as Top Producers Worldwide for 2025. Among those receiving this honor are Roger Moore, president and principal broker, who placed 29th; Heidi Adams, senior investment sales advisor, 67th; and a third advisor, unnamed, at 78th.

Heidi Adams

“I am thrilled that, in a group of over 5,000 brokers globally, three of our Knoxville-based advisors, including myself, are being recognized as NAI Global top producers,” said Roger Moore. “Of the seven total Secondary Market top producers recognized worldwide, our office accounts for three of them. That is an outstanding achievement. This is a true honor for them and the entire team at NAI Koella | RM Moore.”

Kennedy joins University of Tennessee Foundation Inc.

Krista Kennedy

Krista Kennedy has joined the University of Tennessee Foundation as assistant director of events & stewardship for the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Krista holds a bachelor of arts in music (2012-16) from the University of Tennessee, graduating summa cum laude. She previously worked in development and events at Helen Ross McNabb Center.

In Memoriam

Mabel Arico

Mabel Nevon Arico, 86, of Farragut, passed away on Saturday March 21, 2026, from the impacts of Alzheimer’s. She and her husband, Joe Arico, an Italian immigrant, bought Dender’s Drive Inn at Dixie Lee Junction in 1973, changed the business to a Chicago Style Pizzeria and named it Little Joe’s Pizza, which has served the Farragut community for over 50 years.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, with a Christian prayer service at 2 o’clock at Rose – Mann Heritage Chapel, with burial following at Edgewood Cemetery at 3. The obituary is here.

Gary Weedman

Gary E. Weedman Ph.D., the retired president of Johnson University in Knoxville, passed away on March 22, 2026, at age 82. He came to Knoxville from Illinois to pursue a degree from Johnson Bible College. In 1969, he returned to Johnson as a full-time faculty member. His doctorate in speech communications is from Indiana University.

After a full career, Dr. Weedman made a final return to Johnson returned in 2007 to Johnson as its sixth president (2007-18). Under his leadership, the board of trustees approved a new model for the college’s organization, a new mission statement and the transition to Johnson University. He also guided the university into partnerships with schools in China, established Johnson University Florida, introduced online education to the curriculum, and strengthened the university’s continuing education and social justice engagement with the Knoxville community.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Phillips-Welshimer Auditorium at Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, with the graveside service to follow on campus. The family will receive guests with a reception following at the Gally Commons. Obituary is here.

Gene Hartman

Thomas Eugene Hartman, sometimes called “Gene” or “Geno,” passed away on March 21, 2026, at his home in Knoxville at age 97. The fourth of six children, Gene left Nashville for service in the U.S. Army, married Becky Harris and moved to Knoxville in 1955. Here they launched their family business, Duo-Fast of Knoxville Inc., which grew to offices in five Tennessee towns.

Gene and Becky enjoyed travel, and Gene was president of the Duo-Fast Distributors organization for many years. Hard work paid off for the Hartman family. They had a beach house in Hilton Head Island and a hunting lodge in Ten Mile, Tennessee, on land purchased from the Jack Hanna family. Gene made three holes-in-one over the years and rode on his farm in an air-conditioned John Deere tractor. Gene was a proud member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden for almost 70 years, and that is where his memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. His obituary is here.

Notes & Quotes

Pancake Fest 2026, a fund-raiser for O’Connor Senior Center, will be Friday, March 27, 7 a.m. until noon at the center, 611 Winona St. in Knoxville. Cost is $10 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and your choice of orange or apple juice or coffee. Celebrity flippers include elected officials and media personalities. The event includes the Senior Expo and an Artisan Craft Fair. Info: 865-523-1135 or knoxseniors.org/.

Halls BPA’s annual Prayer Breakfast will be 7:30 a.m. on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, at Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 4328 E. Emory Road, Knoxville. The speaker will be Pastor Allen James, Salem Baptist Church. Tickets are $20 with table sponsorships available. Info: Judy McMahan, 865-257-1334 or Dallas Love, 865-705-8804.

Remote Area Medical’s pop-up clinic offering free dental, vision and medical services to the Harriman and surrounding communities is set for two days only, April 11-12. All services are free, no ID required and on a first-come, first-served basis, until capacity is reached. Learn more here.

Quote: “Movements are built by addition, not subtraction. Every person who feels welcomed and capable and useful is a person who comes back – and when they come back, they might bring someone new.” – Michele Hornish, blogger

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