business briefs
• University of Tennessee student entrepreneurs Jeremy Piper, Dalton Maddox, Christopher Mikulec and Michael Richards are making it their business to help others experience the joy of camping outdoors. They recently formed Coonhound Camping, which provides no-hassle campsite set-ups. The company recently received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Achievement Award in Washington, D.C., as part of the Chamberís annual Dream Big Awards.
• Realtors Mary-Ann Linkowski, Pamela Dunn Shown and Dan Pastor with Weichert, Realtors — Advantage Plus in Knoxville have been named top agents in the Weichert, Realtors office for October. Linkowski was named overall Top Agent of the Month, and Shown and Pastor were named Top Selling and Top Listing agents, respectively.
• Hickory Hardscapes, a Knoxville-based company, recently received a Hardscapes North America Combination Hardscapes Product Award for its work on the Gatlinburg SkiLift. Hardscapes partnered with Belgard to support Boyne Resorts as it repaired and renovated the ski lift upper viewing deck following the November 2016 wildfires.
• A University of Tennessee medical team recently performed the first procedure in Tennessee using a new implant designed to restore bladder and bowel function and control for patients suffering from pelvic floor disorders. The procedure uses an implantable, rechargeable device that regulates function for patients with urinary and bowel incontinence issues.
• University of Tennessee graduate student Dennis Belisle has enrolled in UT’s School of Music to pursue a new dream as a composer in the midst of a successful career as a commercial musician, music director, teacher and performer. He began working on his Master’s degree in composition in spring, and graduates in December.
