2024 AWARD WINNERS
Matt Alexander
Distinguished Alumni- Class of 1987
Matt Alexander has worked with Blackberry Farm’s various operations for 25 years, serving as General Manager of Blackberry Farm, Managing Partner of Dancing Bear Lodge, Executive Vice President, and is currently President and a Board Member of Blackberry Farm, LLC and the Blackberry Farm Foundation.
​
Prior to joining the Beall family and Blackberry, he was General Manager of St. James Place, a Vail-Beaver Creek Resort property in Beaver Creek, Colorado, after starting his hospitality career at the Hyatt in Beaver Creek following his graduation from Appalachian State University with a business degree in Hospitality Management.
​
Matt lives in Maryville with his wife, Christy, and have two children, Emma and Matthew.
Charles West
Distinguished Service
President of West Chevrolet
Maryville High School Class of 1992
​
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Class of 1996
​
Director of Student Ministries, First United Methodist Church of Maryville
​
Board of Directors, Maryville College
​
Commissioner, State of Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission
​
Former Elected Board Member, Maryville City Schools Board of Education
​
The entire West Family received the Foundation Partnership Award at the 2013 Starlight Awards.
​
Married to Mary Beth West, Father to Elizabeth (MHS Class of 2021), Maggie (MHS Class of 2023), and Rachel (MJHS 9th Grade)
​
On being awarded a Starlight Award: “The foundation has selected some great individuals in the past. While I’m not sure I’m in that league, I’m honored to be recognized. We have a great community, and it tends to produce great kids. I consider myself very lucky because I get to hang out with a lot of our students. Being around them makes me feel optimistic about our future as a town and as a country.
Chief Tony Crisp
Maryville Police Department
FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP AWARD
Chief of Police & Fire
Maryville Police & Fire Department
Chief Tony Jay Crisp is a 50-plus-year veteran Law Enforcement Officer. He is married to Phyllis (Babb) Crisp, Register of Deeds for Blount County. They recently celebrated 41 years of marriage. Together, they have two daughters, Mrs. Amy (Eddie) Davis and Mrs. Joni (Mike) Seratt. He also has 5 grandchildren Daniel, McKenzie, Annalee, Andrew, and Caroline.
Chief Crisp started his career in 1973 with the Friendsville Police Department as a Patrol Officer. In 1977, he was promoted to Friendsville Chief of Police. In 1977, he resigned from Friendsville to join the Maryville Police Department. He began working for Maryville Police as a Patrol Officer, and over the years, he was promoted to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Administrative Captain. In 1999, Chief Crisp resigned from Maryville Police. At this time, he joined the Blount County Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy. He served as Chief Deputy until September 2002, when he again joined the Maryville Police Department. Upon returning to Maryville Police, he was appointed Chief of Police. In September 2008,he was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Maryville Fire Department, where he now serves as Chief of Police & Fire.
