Pilot’s innovation technology team hosts hackathon competition to generate ideas, raise funds for nonprofits

WHAT: Pilot Company’s innovation technology (IT) team will host a “hackathon” event to encourage creative, collaborative, and proactive problem-solving – while raising money for local nonprofits.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 3

• Open house for IT job seekers: Tuesday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Media invited to “Shark Tank-style” presentations: Wednesday, August 3 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: University of Tennessee, Pilot Flying J Ballroom inside the Student Union

BACKGROUND: Pilot Company’s hackathon event will be “Chopped” style with cross-departmental IT teams receiving a project challenge and mystery “box” of IT products to then collaborate and create a solution. The challenges are related to business growth and other opportunities for which the company would like to invest as part of the company’s goal to innovate and improve technology for its team members and guests both locally and across the country.

Each team will present their solutions to a “Shark Tank” style panel of judges and the top three winning teams will win a $10,000 donation to the nonprofit of their choice.

The judging panel will include:

• Pilot Company Founder and Chairman Emeritus Jim Haslam
• Pilot Company CEO Shameek Konar
• Pilot Company Chief Experience Officer Whitney Johnson
• Dee Haslam CEO of Haslam Sports
• Pilot Company Chief Information Officer Mike Rodgers

Pilot Company seeks to hire more than 50 IT professionals at its Sales and Support Center offices. Interested candidates are invited to attend, visit the recruiting booth, and learn more about working for Pilot, No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies.

VISUALS: Media is invited to attend the “Shark Tank-style” presentation of team solutions on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. and conduct interviews with team leaders and judging panel afterward. B-roll video and photos from the presentation of challenges and team collaboration throughout the two-day event also will be available.

Interviews will be available with Pilot Company representatives about this unique business event designed to encourage teambuilding, creativity and proactive problem-solving while supporting the community through monetary donations. To set up interviews, please contact Lauren Miller at 865-599-4050.