The Nashville LGBT Chamber Announces Finalists for the 2018 Excellence in Business Awards Sponsored by Curb Records

For the sixth consecutive year, CURB Records is the presenting sponsor for the Nashville LGBT Chamber 2018 Excellence in Business Awards on Friday, May 4, from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Hilton Nashville Downtown.

Over three hundred business and community leaders are expected to attend this high-profile lunch event to celebrate and recognize the finalists and hear from the winners who were selected for their contributions to Nashville’s inclusive business and nonprofit communities.

Tickets and sponsorships are available at the Excellence in Business Awards webpage on the Nashville LGBT Chamber’s website.

Over 100 people and organizations were nominated across seven categories. Nominees completed questionnaires describing their accomplishments over the last twelve months. Questionnaires were scored by an awards committee made up of a diverse group of LGBT Chamber members and former award winners. The nominees who receive the top three scores are the finalists in that category. All current LGBT Chamber members will be allowed to vote for one deserving winner in each category to add to the judges’ scores of each finalist. Winners will be announced at the event on May 4.

Nashville LGBT Chamber CEO, Lisa Howe, said about the event, “The Excellence in Business Awards is an inspirational day for the LGBT Chamber and our community. This unique and exciting lunch event attracts our largest, most attentive, and most influential audience. It is a great crowd in front of which to share these powerful LGBT-inclusive success stories.”

Finalists were introduced at the LGBT Chamber’s March Brewing up Business which was held on March 22nd at the Aertson Kimpton Hotel.


AWARD CATEGORIES AND FINALISTS

Corporate Diversity

2017 Winner – Waller

Comcast

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Dell

Postmates, Inc.


Small Business Diversity

2017 Winner – The Turnip Truck

Concept Technology, Inc.

MediCopy Services, Inc.

SnapShot Interactive


Entrepreneur of the Year

2017 Winner – John Dyke, The Turnip Truck

Phil Cobucci, BAM! Social Business

Elliott Noble-Holt, MediCopy Services, Inc.

Ron Sanford, Ron Sanford Productions


Business Leader of the Year

2017 Winner – Paul Vasterling, Artistic Director & CEO, Nashville Ballet

Sara McManigal, VP Talent & Organizational Development, Planview, Inc.

David Plazas, Community Engagement Editor, The Tennessean

Kimberly Stephan-Tate, Director of Quality, Asurion


Ally Award

2017 Winner – Sean Henry, CEO & President, Nashville Predators

Lacey Culton, Sr. Visual Merchandise Presentation Specialist, Cracker Barrel

Bethany Mason, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Dollar General

Kim Totzke, COO, The Turnip Truck


Community Service Award

2017 Winner – Nashville Launch Pad

Mac, Pageant Director, Mac Productions

Ron Sanford, Owner, Event Designer, Ron Sanford Productions

Joe Woolley, Owner, Consultant, Get it Done Solutions


Leadership in the Arts Award

2017 Winner – OZ Arts Nashville

T.K. (Thunder Kellie) Hampton, Executive Director, LHiV.org

Don Schlosser, Artistic Director, Nashville in Harmony

Noah Spiegel, Managing Director, Nashville Children’s Theatre


Nominee Bios

Corporate Diversity

Comcast

Comcast brings together the best in media and technology, driving innovation to create the world’s best entertainment and online experiences. Comcast has a 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality Index. They are a member of the Tennessee Thrives business coalition. They are a Gold member of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce and a Gold sponsor of TASTE. Comcast often provides the Chamber and our members space for meetings and workshops. They are active with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Out & Equal, Victory Fund, and many Pride Festivals across the country, including Nashville.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Cracker Barrel signed the Tennessee Thrives pledge. They are a Silver level Nashville LGBT Chamber member and contribute silent auction item donations and event ticket sales. They are a founding member of Pride in Business. Cracker Barrel’s national sponsorship of Out & Equal make them a go-to resource for other companies in Middle Tennessee who are managing, growing, or starting a LGBT Employee Resource Group. You have probably noticed Cracker Barrel’s participation in the Nashville Pride Equality Walk and the long line at their Pride booth with a rainbow of rockers where guests can sit and rest.

Dell

Dell empowers countries, communities, customers, and people everywhere to use technology to realize their dreams. Dell has scored a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index for the 14th year in a row. Dell was one of the first local companies to signthe Tennessee Thrives pledge, a commitment to equal treatment of all Tennesseans and visitors. Dell is a bronze member of the Nashville LGBT Chamber, silent auction sponsor at TASTE, and sponsor of the chamber’s Predators Pride Night. Over the last year, Dell hasdonated numerous hardware assets and accessories to the LGBT Chamber. Nationally, Dell supports HRC and Out & Equal. Locally, Dell is a partner of Nashville CARES, Just Us, Outcentral, and the MTSU LGBTQ+ College Conference. Dell led the LGBT Chamber and Pride in Business’ first attempt to participate in TEP’s Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

Postmates, Inc.

Postmates is transforming the way goods move around cities by enabling anyone to have anything delivered on-demand. Postmates stands for inclusivity, sustainability, and economic mobility. Postmates is a silver level member of the Nashville LGBT Chamber, TASTE award sponsor, and can always be counted on to donate discount codes to members and event guests. Postmates has provided invaluable mentoring and training opportunities for Just Us at Oasis Center. Postmates has partnered with HRC and the ACLU to drive donations to campaigns focused on defending LGBTQ rights. They are also not afraid to speak out against laws that attempt to deny civil liberties and have signed Tennessee Thrives.  

Small Business Diversity

Concept Technology, Inc.

Concept Technology is an award-winning managed IT services provider for small and mid-size businesses in Middle Tennessee. From the moment a new member joins the team at CT, they immediately introduce them to their nondiscrimination policy which forcibly prohibits discrimination based on a number of attributes, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, their policy is extended to their clients, suppliers, and any representatives of Concept Technology. Concept Technology offers domestic partner benefits. CT employees work together to create a safe, LGBT-friendly environment that promotes harmony and inclusion in the workplace for everyone. CT is not shy about sharing their inclusive practices with other small businesses and neighbors. “We believe it is our responsibility to reach everyone we can beginning with our Concept family.”

MediCopy Services, Inc.

MediCopy is a certified LGBT-owned business enterprise. MediCopy manages the exchange of health information. They provide service to both the patient and the HIM. Today, MediCopy provides HIM solutions to 1500 healthcare facilities in 45 states. Their employee data collection forms include not only race, ethnicity, and gender but also includes sexual orientation and gender identity. That is how they are able to accurately measure the demographic make-up of their team. In fact, 50% of the management team is African-American and 65% identifies as LGBTQ. MediCopy intentionally seeks out LGBTBE and other minority-owned suppliers and partners. MediCopy uses the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index guidelines in their policies for hiring and retention, employee benefits, organizational LGBTQ competency, public engagement, and responsible citizenship for both employers and their vendor partners.  

SnapShot Interactive

SnapShot Interactive is a digital agency bridging the gap between high-quality video production, web design and development, and strategic marketing. SnapShot Interactive’s commitment to LGBT-inclusion has been a priority since the company’s conception in 2010. Ongoing, they support the LGBT community and maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment. SnapShot Interactive also engages and supports the LGBT Chamber through memberships, promotion, and production elements for various events. They believe a diverse team inspires passion and creativity, and continue to help raise the bar on the standards of excellence. SnapShot Interactive is a proud event sponsor and partner of the Excellence in Business Awards.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Phil Cobucci, BAM! Social Business

Phil Cobucci founded BAM! Social Business almost 10 years ago with a computer and a desk. BAM!, a certified LGBTBE, has consistently grown from 40-200% each year since 2013. They have 10 employees and 40 clients and are located on Music Row. Over the last 12 months, Phil has been named to the NBJ 40 Under 40 list and the New Leaders Council Nashville Chapter. He is participating in the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Connect program. Cobucci visited Facebook and Instagram headquarters and provides feedback and tools to help them with their platform security programs. Phil was a Board Member with Nashville Pride for the last 5 years and President for three of those.

Elliott Noble-Holt, MediCopy Services, Inc.

Elliott Noble-Holt started MediCopy with $50 and a copy machine. Eighteen years later, MediCopy Services is debt free with no investors.  Today, MediCopy provides HIM solutions to 1500 healthcare facilities in 45 states. Holt and his team have experienced a 25% growth over the last 12 months. Medi-Copy is a certified LGBTBE and on the Inc. 5000 list. Elliott is a recipient of the NBJ 40 Under 40 Award, Healthcare Hero, and a Best in Business Finalist. He also serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board for the Entrepreneur Center. Chamber members got to see his offices in One City when MediCopy hosted the February Brewing up Business.  

Ron Sanford, Ron Sanford Productions

Ron Sanford has 32 years of experience as a wedding and event producer. Founded in 2015, Ron Sanford Productions has grown almost 100% over the last 12 months. Ron hired 4 part-time employees and grew his team from two to six people. New clients in 2017 include Fisk University, Cheekwood, Tennessee Kidney Foundation, and Miss America Kentucky Pageant Scholarship. While managing local, pre-existing clientele such as Vanderbilt University and Montgomery Bell Academy, RSP gained clients in 3 major cities in Kentucky. With the purchase of a condo and office in the Dominican Republic, RSP is now involved in destination weddings and tourism events. RSP is a certified LGBTBE as of 2017.

Business Leader of the Year

Sara McManigal, VP Talent & Organizational Development, Planview, Inc.

Sara’s work in organizational development is focused on creating high-performance work environments by working with leadership to build and develop teams who help the business reach its goals. The success from her efforts over the years have translated to two successful tech company acquisitions in the last 12 months – Emma and LeanKit – where within a short window of time, and through a company wide restructure she spearheaded, she played a key role getting LeanKit in a position to be acquired late last year. She has since been recruited to join LeanKit’s acquiring company, Planview, where she will lead career development and advancement with a focus on the management team and emerging leaders. With her position in organization development, it is her personal mission that each company she works for is an inclusive workplace. She is intentional about her role, position and the impact it can have on recruitment, hiring and advancement when it comes to the LGBT community. Sara is currently helping lead the relaunch of Women@Planview.

David Plazas, Community Engagement Editor, The Tennessean

David’s biggest success of 2017 was writing and completing the yearlong “Costs of Growth and Change in Nashville” series, which tackled affordable housing and quality of life in Nashville to help find solutions and give voice to people who feel voiceless. It was an intense commitment because it was about doing in-depth, original reporting every single month and presenting it in an accessible way. In January 2018, he launched The Tennessean’s “Civility Tennessee ” campaign in order to encourage respectful dialogue on tough issues in the community, from racism to gun violence. Last year he was named opinion and engagement director of the USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee, so he now oversees opinion strategy for publications in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville. Other accomplishments: Being appointed to the board of directors of the American Society of News Editors, getting accepting into the Leadership Nashville Class of 2018 and being named to the leadership team of the new Online News Association Journalism Mentorship Collaborative.

Kimberly Stephan-Tate, Director of Quality, Asurion

2017 was an incredible year for Kimberly as she was able to maintain the day-to-day responsibilities of running Quality assurance for Asurion while also carving out the time to help build out Asurion’s Diversity Inclusion efforts and their employee resource group programs. Asurion is an 18k team member organization with 6 sites in Nashville and a global footprint. As the PRIDE LGBT ERG lead at Asurion, some of the specific projects she helped bring to life include: introducing self opt-in for all LGBT team members to ensure each member is counted, identifying funding for HRC and Nashville LGBT Chamber Sponsorship, partnership with talent acquisition to participate and track results at 5 National Pride events, creation of internal and external marketing material including an external PRIDE career landing page, updated handbook and EEOC policies that include gender, gender expressions and sexual orientation, joining Nashville Thrives, transgender tool kits for leaders and HR to help transitioning employees, driving membership from 64 to over 450 employees, and increasing ally participation.

Ally Award

Lacey Culton, Sr. Visual Merchandise Presentation Specialist, Cracker Barrel

As an active and vital member in Cracker Barrel’s LGBT Alliance, Lacey offers her time and talents to support the ERG both at work and in the community. She consistently attends monthly meetings, participates in awareness campaigns on campus, and volunteers her time heading the Ally, Welcome and Pride committees. She also speaks at Home Office New Hire Orientations about the LGBT Alliance, its importance, and encourages them to join. Lacey heads up the design and set up of each year’s Pride booth, has led the team for the Nashville CARES walk and has attended both the HRC Gala and Taste Nashville events regularly. On a daily basis, she offers her Pride by wearing a badge holder at work with the Ally Flag- and has great visibility in her workspace as well with Ally flags, HRC Equality stickers, etc at her desk. She thinks it’s important to be a fearless, open Ally because she believes the more Allies that come out, the more comfortable her LGBT partners will feel to be their “whole selves” in the workplace.

Bethany Mason, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Dollar General

To Bethany, diversity and inclusion is more than her day job. It’s her opportunity to enhance awareness and support of the LGBTQ community. Her passion and determination has resulted in Dollar General being named a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign after earning a perfect score on their Corporate Equality Index and the Company’s participation in Tennessee Thrives. She also oversees the EQUAL employee resource group to provide insight and influence on how LGBTQ colleagues are best supported.  Bethany feels we all have a role to play in making everyone feel a sense of belonging and equality, and she is excited and honored to help facilitate that. She believes she was nominated because of her work to promote a culture of inclusion and sense of belonging for all employees and equally hopes the nomination is a reflection of her ongoing commitment to serve others and her passion for collaboration.

Kim Totzke, COO, The Turnip Truck

As a straight white woman, Kim believes in a world where everyone is allowed to love and be treated with equal dignity and believes nobody should have to deal with an extra layer of limitations and bias. She helps her LGBT peers in any way possible. To her, it’s more than acceptance – it’s about love.  The devotion she has stems in a part from gratitude for working with people like John Dyke who has inspired Kim in many ways but mostly from being authentic. Being on this wild ride with John and growing the business has been a privilege. Many members of The Turnip Truck team identify as LGBT, and they work together every day to build this business and be their best selves. She hopes she was nominated for this award because someone realizes where her heart is. Being an ally is not a new “initiative” for her, it’s who she is. Ally, friend, champion, advocate – all of those words describe Kim Totzke.

Community Service Award

Mac, Pageant Director, Mac Productions

Mac has participated in the YouTube hit video campaign for MOOZE with Aurora Sexton, Ms. Gay U S of A against the bathroom Bill in Tennessee. Mac Productions participated in the Women in Film & Television Lip Sync Battle Fundraiser and was interviewed by Liz Lohuis of News Channel 4 for standing up against the Bathroom Bill. She has coordinated with TEP & Plugg Nashville to host fundraisers for PULSE, and she is proud to say that she was one of the Entertainers for the Play Dance Bar Fundraiser for PULSE.  Mac is in the National HIV/AIDS Awareness video & documentary entitled You Shall LHIV to Zero by TK Hampton & Vic Sorrell. She is on the Nashville Pride Board where she has served as Coordinator of the Nashville Pride Festival Drag Stage and currently the Coordinator for Nashville Pride Turnabout Fundraiser. Mac is the Original Coordinator for the Nashville Pride Pageant. She is a member of Nashville Black Pride & BASU marking 16 years of Community service with this Organization. Mac Productions continues to host an Annual Toys for Toys Fundraiser.

Ron Sanford, Owner, Event Designer, Ron Sanford Productions

Ron is no stranger to pride, while living in Atlanta Ron received numerous awards for his outstanding community service by foundations like AID Atlanta and the city government. Moving to Nashville, Ron has been able to confidently support the LGBT community. Ron’s business is in its fourth year of working with Nashville Pride as its VIP sponsor and is continuing to work with clients such as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, GLSEN, Nashville CARES, Out Central, the Gay 5k, Bianca Paige Foundation, the Nashville Grizzlies, Church Street Block Party, and the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Coming out in the early 80s, folks were made to feel ashamed for their LGBT status. Ron decided he wasn’t going to allow that to happen to anyone else! Energized, he knew he would always strive to be a champion for equal rights in the gay community no matter where he lives. In 2017, Ron received the Nashville Pride Philanthropic Business Award and the donation of his condo raised over $10k for LGBT charities. Most importantly, however? Whether it’s a party or a protest he always show up with balloons!

Joe Woolley, Owner, Consultant, Get it Done Solutions

Joe has served on the Board and as President of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce. One of his proudest accomplishments while he was President, was the LGBT Health Care Expo stemming from his advocacy around PrEP within the gay community. He also aided in the creation of the PrEP task force where all community organizations that provide sexual healthcare and PrEP access to gay men were convened. He has pushed for diversity of all types within the Chamber and with other organizations within their leadership and general makeup, and speaks on LGBT diversity through the Center for Nonprofit Management and his own consulting company. Joe’s service includes: one of 5 founding members of TEP and served as a TEP board member from 2004-2006, Mayor Megan Barry’s Transit Committee, the Livable Nashville Committee, NECAT board, Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Association and chair of the Transit Committee, and works to get local LGBT and allies elected to office. He is currently working on a project to create a LGBT community center.

Leadership in the Arts Award

T.K. (Thunder Kellie) Hampton, Executive Director, LHiV.org

T.K. Hampton wrote, produced, and directed You Shall LHiV 2:ZERO, a theatrical production that gives voice to the most vulnerable within the LGBTQ community through song, dance, and monologues. ZERO educates and empowers LGBTQ individuals and their allies with the knowledge of biomedical advancements that help stop the spread of HIV regardless of race, sex, or socio-economic status. Zero has been performed in Nashville, Memphis, Rochester, Boston, and Washington, DC. for over 15,000 people. In addition to hearing its message, over 100 people were screened for HIV. Over 100 more inquired about PrEP. Over 50 people received PrEP, and over 50 people committed to supporting those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. ZERO continues to let the WORLD know that by using the tools—PrEP (Truvada), the AMP Study, condoms, HIV treatment as prevention, and psychosocial support—we can get to ZERO HIV transmissions.

Don Schlosser, Artistic Director, Nashville in Harmony

As Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony, Don prepared and conducted the chorus in four major productions in the last 12 months, including the North American premiere of Codebreaker with Intersection Contemporary Ensemble. Don created musical arrangements for NiH and wrote an original work for chorus and spoken word artists called I Am Me All the Time. Within the past year he established The Major Minors, a youth chorus under the umbrella of Nashville in Harmony to extend the mission of the chorus to LGBTQIA and gender-non-conforming teens. Schlosser participated in the inaugural cohort of Racial Equity in Arts Leadership (REAL) a program of Metro Nashville Arts Commission and the Curb Center for the Arts. Don has worked to create artistic partnerships with a broad cross-section of the Nashville community whose missions intersect with NiH. The mission of Nashville in Harmony is to use music to build community and create social change.

Noah Spiegel, Managing Director, Nashville Children’s Theatre

Noah E. Spiegel is the Managing Director at Nashville Children’s Theatre and Principal at Noah E. Spiegel Consulting. At NCT, Noah has helped increase government grant funding by 53% and school field trip bookings by 24%, and membership sales by 25%. He served as Chair of the Nashville Arts Coalition in both 2016 and 2017, and led successful advocacy efforts for two subsequent budget increases for Metro Arts’ grant budget. Spiegel is past-president of Tennesseans for the Arts, where he has led TFTA to increase membership, revenue and attendance at the annual Arts Advocacy Day for the past three years. He is a board member for Tennessee Diversity Consortium, which advocates for best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion in the private sector, and was appointed to Metro Arts’ Antiracism Transformation Team to identify ways the arts commission can serve the entire community with greater equity.


About the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1998, the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce advances common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace for its over 300 LGBT members, businesses, and allies by providing educational, networking, and community building opportunities. The Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation educates, inspires, and empowers LGBT business professionals.
Contact: Lisa Howe, CEO
615-928-1032
lisa@nashvillelgbtchamber.org