While Randy Boyd is running the UT System and building a baseball stadium, who’s in charge of the original Boyd business?

Well, that is Rob Candelino, chief executive officer and board director of the newly named PetSafe Brands, with headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee.

A graduate of the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Rob came online to wish everyone “a brilliant 2025,” while touting achievements of the company in 2024. The new name is key to consolidating five distinct brands, all with registered trademarks, offered by the company:

  • PetSafe
  • SportDOG
  • Invisible Fence
  • Kurgo, and
  • Premier Pet

Candelino says, “I believe that leadership is a privilege so we have the responsibility to make a positive impact on the people and communities we serve. I also love to have a lot of fun along the way because life is short and I was always taught that miserable people deliver miserable results.

Randy Boyd

Randy Boyd founded Radio Systems Corporation in 1991. The company now has over 630 associates worldwide with offices in seven countries. The company produces over 4,600 pet products to promote the safety, health and happiness of dogs.

Boyd received a degree from The University of Tennessee in industrial management in 1979 and a master’s in liberal studies from Oklahoma University in 1988. He has two sons, Harrison and Thomas; two dogs, Spanky and Oscar; two cats, Sebastian and Wolfgang; and a wife of 30 years, Jenny.

Randy and Jenny Boyd have supported numerous local endeavors including financial support for the Pond Gap University Assisted Public School, designed by retired professor Bob Kronick and implemented under the leadership of then-principal Susan Espiritu.

See you next week for Let’s Talk – Neighbors

Volunteer Ministry Center, in partnership with “Live, Love, Serve Foundation and CBI Workplace Solutions, raised over $13,000 to benefit VMC’s programs and services at their cornhole tournament held at Xul Beer Company on November 8, 2024. Pictured are Clint Barlow, Heather Dodd, VMC CEO Tracey Williams, VMC board member Richie Gandy, and VMC chief development officer Mary Beth Ramey.

Emerson Breeden is like Punxsutawney Phil, he peeks out occasionally to look for his shadow. The most recent sighting was the Food City Knoxville Division Christmas Breakfast. Pictured are Betsi James, Emerson Breeden and Katie Penny, executive vice president for operations, Knoxville division.

John Valentine and J.D. Lambert clown around following the Dec. 21 Fountain City Christmas Parade. The new route was from Gresham Middle School to Central High School.

Music men Ashley Capps (Bonnaroo, Big Ears) and Jim Clayton (well, you know) at a holiday event. (Photo by Cynthia Moxley)

Carol Bayless and Robin Holliday were named co-Women of the Year by the Halls Business & Professional Association at its annual banquet. Dr. Allen Price, who has retired as senior pastor of Beaver Dam Baptist Church, was named Man of the year. Bayless and Holliday were recognized for their work on getting the new Halls Museum open.

Furthermore

Russell Biven

Russell Biven will speak at the 2025 Powell Man, Woman and Business Person of the Year banquet, planned for 6 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Jubilee Banquet Hall. Tickets are $75. Contact Jeff Bagwell at 865-765-6493 or Laura Bailey at 865-599-1199.