For the next few weeks,  we’ll be bombarded by the “end of the year” stories…what was the hottest news story, funniest video, who died, who went to jail. But here’s a “shout out” to the local Alcoa Inc. employees, who did not have the smoothest of years.

Even in a dark year …(with the smelter gearing down in Blount County, and  the ensuing layoffs)…the employees UPPED their participation in local service projects, benefiting more than a dozen nonprofits. In fact, overall local employee volunteer participation was up 59 percent.

In all…the collective 1,579 hours of local volunteer work they gave to the community is the equivalent of one person working 40 hours weekly for nearly a year. Those are very cool stats, released a few days ago as part of Alcoa’s report on their annual Worldwide Month of Service program.

Someone famous said it’s “hard to keep a good man down.” In Alcoa’s case, it seems they are determined to keep local spirits up…even in down times.

Kudos to them all.

John Joslyn

Gail Crutchfield of The Mountain Press recently wrote a comprehensive story about the new Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.  Although so much is being written and reported about this fascinating new interactive exhibit, there are so many interesting aspects to the Titanic Museum that each story is entirely different from the last.

In the article, Crutchfield writes, “For the couple (Mary Kellogg Joslyn and John Joslyn), especially John Joslyn who helped organize a 1987 expedition and served as executive producer on “Return to the Titanic…LIVE,” documenting the adventure, honoring the memory of those lost in the tragedy is their main goal with the museum.

“The ship is a celebration of her crew and her passengers that were aboard,” Kellogg said, in referring to the museum.

After participating in the $6 million expedition and traveling the more than 2 miles down to the ocean floor to see the doomed ship, Joslyn decided he wanted to do something to pay tribute to the ship, her crew and passengers.”

You can read the entire article in The Mountain Press here.

Those of you who know me well know what a huge fan I am of our National Parks.  Ackermann PR was the first company in our area to formally adopt a trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we remain committed to the vital importance of preserving and protecting these amazing natural resources.

As the 75th Anniversary year of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes to an end, I just want to congratulate all those who were responsible for the heightened awareness and meaningful celebrations that educated us and reminded us of what a treasure we have here in our own backyard.  We live where millions come to visit each year, and it is our responsibility to keep this park pristine and enjoyable for future generations.

Through my involvement as a board member of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, I have come to appreciate the incredible gift that these hard-working and knowledgeable folks give to thousands of school children each year, as they seek to instill in them a permanent love of these beautiful mountains and a lifelong commitment to preserving them.

I used to say that a goal of mine was to hike every single national park in America, and while I don’t think I’ll make that goal, the ones that I have experienced are all breathtaking in their own, very special ways.  I encourage you to get out and see these magnificent places, to share their legacy with your children and friends, and to consider a holiday gift to the park or park project of your choice.  It’s such a great way to invest in our future!

Bob Yarbrough from Knoxville’s WVLT-TV put together an interesting story about the new Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.  The Titanic Museum is scheduled to open in April 2010 and is expecting 750,000 visitors its first year.

Yarbrough reports, “From the ships bridge, guests will see the same starry, moonless night and feel the same chill in the air and water. Not only will actors play the role of crew members, including Captain Edward Smith, but visitors will get involved by seeing the name of an actual passenger on their boarding pass. They will also follow the story of that person, eventually learning their fate.”

Yarbrough says the $25 million Titanic Museum sits near the Wonderworks on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. In early December 2009, it was pretty much just steel, concrete and sheetrock. By spring 2010, it will be a half scale replica of the world’s most famous cruise ship, complete with the bridge and grand stair case.  However, its owner – John Joslyn - says in addition to housing priceless Titanic artifacts, the museum will feature numerous interactive galleries.

Cick the image above to watch Volunteer TV’s complete report.

It’s always exciting to promote talented people at Ackermann PR, but I had the pleasure last week of announcing the promotion of a 28-year employee at our firm to Chief Operating Officer of our company.  Crystal Cardwell has been with us since the founding of our company, and most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Ackermann PR.

What she really is, though, is the heartbeat of our company.  She knows everything (literally!) about our business, about our clients, about what makes us tick.  It is largely because of the daily attention she pays to the details of what make us a very stable business that we have never had an unprofitable year, never had a lay-off, and have experienced fantastic growth during our 28 years.  Crystal is Ms. Internal to my Ms. External, fastidiously looking after every critical detail of how our business operates.

She is also the person to whom all of our employees go when they need a reality check, a word of encouragement, or sometimes a kick in the behind when necessary.   To me, she is the most trusted of confidentes and personal advisors, someone whom I know will always tell me the truth, whether I like the particular message or not. 

So it is with a great deal of pleasure that I announce her promotion as well as a great deal of gratefulness that I recognize her years of valuable service to our firm.