MARTIN – Dayron Deaton-Owens, of McMinnville, was presented the Robert M. Smith Outstanding Tennessee Leadership Educator Award from the WestStar Leadership Program during the 2022 Tennessee Association of Community Leadership Conference held in Roane County Oct. 19-21. This award is to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of leadership education either by major achievement within the past year or over several years through his or her dedication and service to leadership development within Tennessee.

Deaton-Owens has dedicated herself to the success of the McMinnville community’s leadership programs. While serving as division chair for Leadership McMinnville, she realized that more funding was needed and started writing grants to fund the programs and coordinating events. As chair for both the adult and youth leadership programs, Owens sets monthly schedules, coordinates visits for program days and recruits sponsors for needed funding.

“Being involved in Leadership McMinnville has been a great honor,” said Deaton-Owens. “I love watching class members grow and develop their skills. I hope members of this program walk out as better workers, more engaged community members and stronger leaders.”

TACL is a non-profit organization created in 1997 to help foster successful leadership-development programs, boards and alumni associations across Tennessee. 

“Leadership-development programs are critical to every community,” said Judy Renshaw, TACL executive director, “TACL is excited to be able to recognize key leaders, volunteers and programs going above and beyond through our annual TACL Awards.”

For more information about TACL, contact Renshaw at judyrenshaw2@gmail.com.