Piper Communications

WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP 🗞 Welcome back to your weekly news in the industry from #PiperComm! ⚡️ Type One Energy announced the publication of the world’s first comprehensive, self-consistent, and robust physics basis, with conservative design margins, for a practical fusion pilot power plant. This physics basis is presented in a series of seven peer-reviewed scientific papers in a special issue of the prestigious Journal of Plasma Physics (JPP). They serve as the foundation for the company’s first Infinity Two stellarator fusion power plant project, which Type One Energy is developing for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/geXYh4CB 🌟 Leaders from energy and environmental organizations in the Tennessee Valley expressed concern over the Trump administration's sudden termination of Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors members. "The firing of this TVA board member adds a lot of uncertainty to TVA, and it's at a time where TVA does not need any uncertainty. They need certainty right now," Cortney Piper, executive director of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, told Knoxville News Sentinel. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gG5Pe4TB 🏆 Congratulations to the six finalists for the 5th annual PYA Tom Ballard Innovation Award: Blank Beauty, Green Llama, Perseus Materials, PreTel, SALUBATA (0 CRB), and Unified Track. These six startups will pitch their innovative businesses on Wednesday, April 16, at Jewelry Television. This year, for the first time, PYA will welcome six startups to the stage due to the sheer volume and quality of applications submitted. Meet the startups and RSVP: https://lnkd.in/ejf7Vtmi That’s a wrap! Follow Piper Communications for weekly news in the industry updates 🌟

#PiperComm Leadership in Action ⚡️ At Piper Communications, leadership looks like showing up and building community to drive results. 🚀 Cortney Piper, President of Piper Communications and Chair of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), embodies a deep commitment to community-centric leadership across the region. We’re proud to have a strong leader who doesn't just talk about change but makes it happen. 🌟

The Tennessee Valley Authority board names Don Moul as the next CEO 🚨 📢 Don Moul has been named the next CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, succeeding Jeff Lyash who announced his retirement earlier this year. Don brings deep operational experience and a strong commitment to TVA’s mission. Congratulations, Don! 🎉 Learn more about Don’s leadership in the Knoxville News Sentinel: https://lnkd.in/evZ5HJE5

WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP 🗞 Welcome back to your weekly news in the industry from #PiperComm! 🧪 Trillium Renewable Chemicals CEO Corey Tyree was featured in the Knoxville Voyager. In the Q&A, he shared his journey from rural Kentucky to founding Trillium Renewable Chemicals. He launched the company in 2021 to scale bio-based acrylonitrile using licensed technology and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) support. In 2024, Trillium achieved key milestones, including pilot production, a successful customer trial with Syensqo, and the launch of its Texas demo plant, Project Falcon. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eteVg3xz 🌟 In the University of Tennessee Research Foundation - UTRF's latest update, they highlighted UTRF’s Accelerate Fund, which invested $150,000 in VisualizAI, an AI startup co-founded by University of Tennessee, Knoxville professor Jian Huang and CEO Mac Bartine. VisualizAI's platform powers ClaimsAgent, an AI tool that helps health care providers analyze and resolve denied or underpaid insurance claims. The funding supports pilot trials and growth as the company raises a seed round of up to $1 million. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eeY98fR8 ⚡️ Wärtsilä has partnered with Brazilian energy company Energetica Suape II S.A to conduct a world-first clean energy trial, which will see ethanol – a biofuel mainly produced from sugarcane – used to generate clean power. Taking place at the Suape II power station in Recife, Brazil, the trial will test the world’s-first ethanol-fuelled engine for large-scale electricity generation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eNiUQrr7 That’s a wrap! Follow Piper Communications for weekly news in the industry updates 🌟

#PiperComm in action 💥 Noreen Premji, digital marketing manager, and Peyton Mills, project specialist, visited the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to check out the METAL for America bootcamp! 🔥 Participants got hands-on experience with skills that power America’s defense industry — from shaping metal forms to pouring molten bronze. 💪 Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL), led by IACMI – The Composites Institute, is an industry-driven initiative to provide high-quality training in the metalworking and manufacturing sectors. 🔗 Learn more about METAL: https://brnw.ch/21wRznD

WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP 🚨🗞 Welcome back to your weekly news in the industry from #PiperComm! ⚡️ The Tennessee Valley Authority’s recent article outlines the role Tennessee plays in the American nuclear renaissance. “Energy is ever present in our life, and Tennessee leads the nation in energy innovation,” said Cortney Piper, Executive Director of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. “Our state is a hub for energy innovation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure, more efficient will lead to business growth and economic opportunities.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCa_uAfi 🔩 Participants of this week’s METAL for America bootcamp explored the skills needed to pursue careers in metalwork that support the U.S. manufacturing of critical materials. Experts in casting and forging are necessary for the well-being, efficiency, and reliability of the United States Defense. METAL is tackling the problem locally through a bootcamp at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute and supported by the U.S. Defense Department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program. Learn more on teknovation.biz: https://lnkd.in/eJN2AZKx 🎉 Grady Vanderhoofven, Founder and CEO of Three Roots Capital, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary. With more than 25 years of experience in community development venture capital fund management, Grady brings a deep commitment to driving capital into underserved communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eadi_cuw That’s all for this week! Follow Piper Communications for weekly news in the industry updates. 🌟

#PiperComm’s Project Specialist Peyton Mills graduated from the Intro to Knox Program by Leadership Knoxville 👩🎓🔸 Since 1993, Introduction Knoxville has played a key role in connecting leaders in new management positions, newcomers to our community and lifelong residents ready to plug in. Key highlights from the six-week program included: 🤝 Engaging with leaders from Tennessee's key institutions that shape and strengthen Knoxville's communities, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Covenant Health, United Way of Greater Knoxville, Visit Knoxville, Knoxville Utilities Board, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center… and more! 🔎 Exploring significant sites that showcase Knoxville’s rich history and vibrant community 💪 Building meaningful connections with others who share a passion for servant leadership Congratulations, Peyton! 🎉 Learn more about Intro to Knox: https://lnkd.in/eyx26iWP

#PiperComms Elena Hale represented #TAEBC at the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators’ (NCCEI) 2025 Advanced Energy Innovation Advocacy Days in Washington, DC. ⚡️ During this event, the group made the case for continued federal support to accelerate the commercialization of emerging energy technologies. Special thanks to Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, and Rep. Tim Burchett for taking the time to meet with us! 🙌 Learn more about the event on the TAEBC website: https://lnkd.in/eG93asHh

WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP 🗞 Welcome back to your weekly news in the industry from #PiperComm! 🌐 Vanderbilt University is bringing cutting-edge LiDAR sensor technology to Clarksville! This project, backed by TNGO funding, will enhance traffic flow, optimize signal timing and improve roadway safety - making the city's streets smarter and safer. 🔗 Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wRkzh ⚙️ METAL for America is expanding its impact with a new university partnership! The Ohio State University is now part of IACMI – The Composites Institute's METAL hub network, equipping students with essential skills to thrive in the manufacturing industry. This collaboration bridges the gap between education and hands-on experience, shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. 🔗 Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wRkzi 🚀 After studying AI at Stanford, Simba J. returned to Knoxville to launch Laborup, a game-changing platform dubbed the LinkedIn for skilled manufacturers. Using AI to match welders, machinists and other critical workers with top employers, Laborup is transforming the hiring process and empowering the workforce of the future. 🔗 Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wRkzj That's all for this week! Follow Piper Communications for weekly news in the industry updates 🌟

#PiperComm In Action 💥 Last week, Peyton Mills, Project Specialist, visited IACMI – The Composites Institute to support METAL for America's investment casting workshop! 🛠️ The event welcomed local high school students interested in engineering careers. Participants got hands-on experience in manufacturing by creating molds and pouring metal to create their own keychains. Learn more about METAL’s workshop 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wRiPi