Aslinger receives Service Medal
Jerry Aslinger, a 1973 graduate of Soddy-Daisy High School, was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, the highest civilian award given by the Secretary of Defense. Aslinger developed a system that allows senior leaders to accurately assess the state of safety and occupational health in the Department of Defense.
He is the son of Dorthy and Wayne Aslinger of Soddy-Daisy and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1977. He retired as an Army lieutenant in 1997 and has worked in the Pentagon since.
Tennessee Wesleyan University Board of Trustees Chairman Allen Carter, left, with Distinguished Entrepreneur Award winner John “Thunder” Thornton.Thornton named Distinguished Entrepreneur
John “Thunder” Thornton recently received Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, which is presented by the school’s Business Administration Department.
Thornton graduated from TWU in 1975 with a degree in business management and began his career working at Salem Carpets. In 1984, he founded American Rug Craftsmen Inc., which grew to be the country’s largest producer of decorative carpets and floor mats and was twice named Walmart’s Vendor of the Year.
In 1991, Thornton founded Thunder Enterprises LLC, a real estate company. In 1992, he founded Thunder Air Inc. That same year he was named Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Through Thunder Enterprises, the businessman continues to develop high-end real estate in eight states.
Thornton discussed his business successes with guests at the event, including many TWU business students, sharing a story about the beginning of American Rug Craftsmen. He said his first day with the business was the day his oldest son was born. He left the hospital and went to work, then did not take a day off for the next five months.
Thornton also talked about the importance of believing in hard work and in the business project. In addition to sharing several life lessons he learned from the late Pat Summitt, Thornton shared his insights into being an entrepreneur and starting a new business.
Women’s Council hosts On The Move
The Transportation Team of the Mayor’s Council for Women partnered recently with CARTA to host On The Move.
Members of the council were invited to ride the bus from downtown to Hamilton Place or Northgate to learn about public transportation and its safety, reliability and amenities. The goal was to build awareness about public transportation and encourage new riders in order to increase economic opportunities for women in the community.
The Mayor’s Council for Women was formed to support existing city programs that focus on women and to look for ways to improve the quality of life for women in Chattanooga.
Local businesses contributing to On The Move included STIR, Old Chicago Pizza, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Big River Grille, El Meson and Vector Printing.