Operating Principles
Who We Are:
Darrell Akins - Chairman/Partner
A native East Tennessean, Darrell Akins began his professional career following graduation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1972, working on the staff of former Knoxville Mayor Kyle Testerman and then as Vice President at the Bank of Maryville.
With the election of fellow Blount Countian Lamar Alexander as Tennessee's Governor in 1978, Akins served him Deputy Commissioner in two departments, Human Services and Transportation, and then at the age of thirty-one became the youngest member of the Alexander cabinet with his appointment as Commissioner of Personnel. Following his state service, Akins became Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce in 1984.
In 1989, in partnership with noted Knoxville advertising executive Charles Tombras Jr., he founded a company now known as AkinsCrisp Public Strategies and co-owned with his partner John Crisp, AkinsCrisp's President & CEO.
AkinsCrisp has offices in Oak Ridge, Nashville, Huntsville, Alabama and Washington DC.
Akins serves as AkinsCrisp's chief client strategist, new business development officer and leads the company numerous community and political activities.
Among many community honors, Akins is a life member of the Florence Crittenton Agency of Knoxville, Southeast U.S. Volunteer of Year of the Child Welfare League of America, and was awarded the Maryville College Distinguished Service Award for his many contributions as a MC Board member.
Akins is former Vice President of the Tennessee Business Roundtable and past Vice Chairman of the Tennessee Independent College and Universities Association. He is also Past Chairman of the United Way of Greater Knoxville and the United Way of Roane County.
He serves on the boards of Tech 2020, the East Tennessee Economic Council, the UT College of Business Administration's Economics Department and the Anderson/Roane County Advisory Board of SunTrust Bank.
