The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has presented EPB President David Wade with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and former Chattem CEO Alexander “Zan” Guerry with UTC’s Outstanding Service Award.
The annual honors are the highest commendation presented to a UTC alumnus or alumna and recognize extraordinary service to their alma mater, field and community.
While Wade began his journey at UTC directly out of high school, he initially left the university after one semester and joined the workforce. In 1983, he began working at EPB in an entry-level position assisting linemen. Wade progressed in his career at EPB while returning to take evening courses to earn his degree from UTC in 2004. He was named the president and CEO of EPB in 2016 and has continued to serve UTC as a member of the Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Wade led EPB’s effort to design and build Chattanooga’s communitywide fiber optic network, which also served as the communications backbone for constructing the nation’s most-advanced, automated electric power distribution system. Wade’s focus on fostering innovation has led to the development of groundbreaking projects such as EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk, the first commercially available quantum network in the nation, and EPB Gig25, the first communitywide 25 gig internet in the nation.
Guerry’s connection to UTC is rooted in his family’s longstanding involvement. His grandfather, Alexander Guerry, was president of the University of Chattanooga from 1929 to 1938, which preceded the university’s inclusion in the University of Tennessee System and renaming in 1969.
Currently leading Hamico Inc., the family’s charitable foundation, Guerry was the longtime CEO of Chattanooga-based Chattem Inc., a consumer health care company, until 2014. Guerry has supported a variety of causes and nonprofit organizations throughout the community, and he played a pivotal part in launching the Honors College, serving as a voluntary assistant tennis coach, supporting the Chattem Basketball Practice Facility and contributing to the creation of the Wolford Family Athletics Center.
“Both David and Zan are extraordinary leaders in our community who we are proud to recognize with these distinctive honors,” UTC Chancellor Steve Angle said in an announcement Thursday of the university’s awards.
— Compiled by Dave Flessner
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga / EPB President David Wade is pictured July 5 in EPB’s quantum network laboratory in the EPB building.