Joe Landsman Recognized as James A. Haslam, II Leadership Award Recipient at Pinnacle Business Awards

The Knoxville Chamber is pleased to announce Joe Landsman as the recipient of the Pinnacle Business Award in the James A. Haslam, II Leadership Award category. Landsman has served as the president and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) for twenty-five years.

The Haslam Leadership Award, sponsored by The Trust Company of Tennessee, is given to a long-standing business leader that exhibits strength in character, resolve, a commitment to the community, and exemplary success in the regional business community. Honorees are selected by the Chairman of the Knoxville Chamber Board.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this acknowledgement,” said Joe Landsman, CEO at The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful group of leaders at the medical center—along with thousands of team members—collectively committed to improving the health of our community. This achievement would not have been possible without their unwavering support and commitment to providing our patients excellent care.” 

Prior to his time at UTMC, Landsman was the Executive Vice President of Zale Lipshy University Hospital in Dallas, Texas, where he also served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1995 to 1997. Joe serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Hospital Association and served as its Chair from 2012 to 2013.

Landsman announced his retirement from UTMC last year, with Dr. Keith Gray named as his successor. His career has far outpaced the standard tenure of a hospital CEO, with most on average leaving after three to five years. While his success within the healthcare industry is evident, when asked, many comment on the positive impacts of Joe’s leadership especially during unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Joe Landsman has made a tremendous impact on both Knoxville and the entire East Tennessee region over the last twenty-five years,” said Dave Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Regional Banking for First Horizon and Knoxville Chamber Board Chair. “His leadership expertise is not only evident in his guidance of UTMC, but also within the countless nonprofits that he has been a part of. The Knoxville community is stronger because of Joe, and we are all better having had the opportunity to know him and call him a friend.”

The annual Pinnacle Business Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, celebrate regional business excellence, honoring outstanding professionals in nine categories for their contributions to the greater Knoxville economy. Winners are selected by the Knoxville Chamber Board of Directors. Nearly 200 companies were nominated for 2024 recognition.

“Congratulations to all Pinnacle Business Award winners. Local businesses are essential to the communities they help grow,” said Mike DiStefano, Pinnacle’s Knoxville president. “Pinnacle Financial Partners is a founder led firm that was built as a small business bank, so we know how difficult it can be to run a successful business. More than two decades of growth have allowed us to serve clients of increasing size, but small businesses remain essential both to Pinnacle and the Knoxville communities they help grow. It’s an honor to be part of this program and help recognize the home-grown players in Knoxville’s economy.”  

For in-depth video interviews and more information on the 2024 Pinnacle Business Award recipients, visit www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle.