PAUL MONTGOMERY IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN VICE PRESIDENT IN EASTMAN'S HISTORY
FROM EASTMAN INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
By: Nonie Bennah
Paul W. Montgomery, vice president, Talent Management has been awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Volunteer Kingsport Leadership Council. This award recognizes men and women who have adopted the heart of community trusteeship. As a 1996 graduate of Leadership Kingsport, he is awarded this recognition for having made significant and notable contributions toward the betterment of his community.
"I congratulate Paul on this important recognition of his personal and Eastman Chemical Company contribution toward community service and trusteeship. I had the pleasure to work directly with Paul helping coach teens through the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department. Paul has outstanding character. He has a genuine concern for young people and encourages teens to excel and to conduct themselves in a respectable and sportsmanlike manner.
"He's an excellent role model," said Gary Tucker of Eastman Credit Union and representative of the Volunteer Kingsport Leadership Council.
Montgomery has served as a member of the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission, President of the Kingsport Board of Education, President of the Kingsport Branch of the NAACP, President of the South Kingsport Optimist Club, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Kingsport Rotary Club, President of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of the Tri-Cities All America
City Partnership.
He currently serves on the boards of the Barter Theatre, Rocky Mount Museum, King College Board of Visitors, East Tennessee State Foundation and Northeast State Community College Foundation.
Montgomery has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential
African Americans in Tennessee. He was awarded the 2003 Baleh-Doak Character Award and the Emory and Henry College Outstanding Community Service Award.
In May, he earned his MBA from King College.
Born in Glade Spring, Virginia, Montgomery joined Eastman in 1991 in the Supply and Distribution Division. He was appointed as community relations representative in 1992. After holding positions of increasing responsibility, he was named director of Corporate Relations and Travel.
In 2006, he was appointed vice president, Communications and Public
Affairs. In May 2007, he became vice president, Talent Management.
