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Morristown Utilities General Manager Jody Wigington said many people helped him get where he is today.

Wigington was honored Thursday morning with the Hamblen County “Good Scout” Award at a breakfast held at The Country Club.

“As many people have directed me over life, I think that the Scouts have placed a path for many also,” he said. “You value things like honor, creed, loyalty, character, responsibility, accountability, leadership and mentoring. Those represent a culture to our society that is offered by very few organizations. May the Scouts continue to have that effect along time on developing young people.”

Wigington was obviously humbled receiving the Good Scout Award, highlighted by a painting of an Eagle in flight.

“I was a Cub Scout, but I did grow up on the farm. I spent a lot of days in the mountains, sometimes it was with Boy Scout troops. The impact you (folks) have on these youth is unparalleled.”

Wigington said that the things that are special to him came from those who have helped his trajectory along the way.

“The foundation of everything I have in my life is my faith and belief in Jesus Christ,” he said. “I was fortunate to have a mother and father who raised their only child in the faith. My mother taught me how to pray and how to love. My dad pushed me to work hard, be accountable to do the right thing. I often wonder where I would be if it wasn’t for my parents. I really do miss them.”

Wigington said that to come to this moment in his life required a number of inputs in his life.

“My first cousin, Andy Smith, included me in the ‘big boys’ games,” he said. “He gave me my first airplane flight and other things. He was someone I always looked up to and leaned on.”

Next, Wigington discussed Dr. Bob Self.

“He is a good friend of mine from high school and college, all the way through to today,” Wigington said. “He was trusting, caring, sharing along life. He impacted me and has done the same thing with a lot of youth in the area.”

After Wigington received his engineering degree from the University of Tennessee, he returned home and took his first job with TVA.

“God was extra good to me to lead me to my wife, Renee, the mother of my three children,” Wigington said. “Both sets of our parents wanted us to set a good direction to life, to be accountable, have integrity and helped me stay on path.”

Wigington had several chances to leave the Lakeway Area, but he felt a need to be here due to family obligations. That led him to an opportunity to Lowland and BASF.

“I’m forever indebted to B.B. Bradley who gave a young engineer a chance to stay home,” Wigington said. “I’m very thankful for his Christian influence on me.”

Wigington had another career decision when he talked to Harris Porter.

“He pushed me forward and he saw things in me that I didn’t see,” Wigington said. “He gave me confidence to step out and make a decision. In 1995, I left BASF to join Morristown Utilities. This time, it was Bill Swann who believed enough in me to give me a job there.”

In 2007, the MU board selected Wigington to be General Manager, the position he still holds.

“I treasure my friendship with George McGuffin, he has been very kind to me and has shown me how to love the community. It’s been such a privilege to work with such outstanding individuals on our board. I’ve got a really good staff who makes life easy.

In 2016, Lakeway Publishers Chairman of the Board R. Jack Fishman trusted Wigington to become chairman of the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m thankful for Jack for providing that ‘awesome-shaping’ experience,” he said. “It changed how I looked at the community.”

Wigington enjoys the variety of opportunities to serve and give back to the community.

“There’s a lot of good friends you make at work, a lot of people in the utility industry that are like a brother,” he said. “Career is one thing. I just was never driven by personal gain or recognition. I want to be with family.”

Wigington grew up in the Baptist faith, but joined Trinity United Methodist Church in 1995 to be with his wife’s family. He quickly became involved in the youth ministries and teaching. In 2010, he lost his wife, Renee, to cancer.

“Those were dark days,” he said. “My children hurt, but The Lord stayed with us through that, moving forward while holding on to the past. I’m proud of my children for where they stood in the gap for me. They were always there.”

Wigington married his second wife, Rosemary in 2012.

“She’s been a wonderful blessing that God sent to me,” he said. “She stabilized my life and supports me daily. Between us, I think we have five children and nine grandchildren. Try to keep up with all of those birthdays!”

Wigington closed his remarks by thanking those in attendance for supporting scouting.

“May God be good to you,” he said.