Examiners come from all industry sectors across the state of Tennessee and the Southeast. They will tell you they applied for the board because they were looking for an unparalleled professional challenge that would expand their knowledge base, enhance their personal effectiveness, connect them with like-minded professionals, and sharpen their competitive edge. In addition, they like the idea that they play a key role in making Tennessee and the Southeast a better place to live and work.
Members of the TNCPE Board of Examiners serve for a one year period in a variety of roles: examiners, ambassadors, editors, leaders, coaches, and other volunteer activities. While there are opportunities for examiners to serve year round, the majority of an examiner’s work occurs between June – October.
Submit your application to the Board of Examiners.
A half-day online orientation is required for 1st year examiners and recommended for 2nd year examiners.
Examiners attend either an online or in-person training series with training locations at different dates across Tennessee and North Carolina.
Examiners are placed on teams and conduct their independent award application reviews.
Most examiners participate in a team consensus meeting, conduct a site visit, complete the scoring process, and write the final report.
The Panel of Judges meets to finalize award recommendations and final reports are distributed to applicants.
Examiners attend the Annual Excellence Celebration as a guest of TNCPE to celebrate award recipients and a job well done!
Katie Anders Erwin, Tenn.
Bruce Applegate Alcoa, Tenn.
Stephanie Austin Knoxville, Tenn.
Michele Baker Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Marcie Ballard Pinehurst. N.C.
Kameron Baggett Winston Salem, N.C.
Ryan Bass Nashville, Tenn.
George Beasley Ashland City, Tenn.
Connor Best Powell, Tenn.
Leslie Blevins Bristol, Tenn.
Stephanie Brooks Powell, Tenn.
Brooke Brown Asheville, N.C.
Joseph Bullen Powell, Tenn.
Paul Chandler Germantown, Tenn.
Whitney Chaney Tuscumbia, Ala.
Roger Clark Harriman, Tenn.
Catherine Craver Roanoke, Va.
Wanda Crider Knoxville, Tenn.
William Dahl Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
David Dearmon Lebanon, Tenn.
Rebecka Devlin Memphis, Tenn.
Yolanda Dillard Memphis, Tenn.
Rebecca Dodson Knoxville, Tenn.
Cyndi David East Lansing, Mich.
Logan Erwin Killen, Ala.
Jennifer Fielder Davidson, N.C.
Anthony Fischer Germantown, Tenn.
Robert Fisher Germantown, Tenn.
Michael Fitts Cane Ridge, Tenn.
Ashley Floyd Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
Suzanne Ford Hendersonville, Tenn.
Olivia Fox McWhite Greensboro, N.C.
Laura Franklin Powell, Tenn.
Alyssa Friese Hixson, Tenn.
Cody Granger Bristol, Tenn.
Craig Green Knoxville, Tenn.
Mike Gregory Stearns, Ky.
Jeff Hatley Ooltewah, Tenn.
Patrick Johnson Cary, N.C.
Erica Jordan Antioch, Tenn.
Rachel Kemp Arlington, Tenn.
Krystal Kimble Southhaven, Miss.
Amber Lanham Franklin, Ky.
Cortina Lockhart Antioch, Tenn.
Toni Lowe Blountville, Tenn.
Kayla Luck Maynardville, Tenn.
Brittney Masters Nolensville, Tenn.
Anthony Matthews Cookeville, Tenn.
Jeff McDonald Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Brook Mitchell Columbia, Tenn.
Jenny Morefield Erwin, Tenn.
Donald Morley Erwin, Tenn.
Matt Nobles Nashville, Tenn.
James Oakley Lorton, Va.
Sherrie Olivarez Nashville, Tenn.
Eric Shaye Olmstead Nashville, Tenn.
Jason Pattee Nashville, Tenn.
Sheila Pounder Germantown, Tenn.
Rebecca Purkey Knoxville, Tenn.
Tina Reisedge Memphis, Tenn.
Sean Reynolds Chattanooga, Tenn.
McKenzie Ridner Leoma, Tenn.
Robert Rouzer Gallatin, Tenn.
Andrew Sanders Germantown, Tenn.
Melinda Sanderson Moultrie, Ga.
Sharon Sheets Lakeland, Tenn.
Amy Shreve Memphis, Tenn.
Ocpivia Stafford Collierville, Tenn.
Lisa Stanek Cudahy, Wis.
Rebecca Stapleton Titusville, Fla.
Elizabeth Steigerwald Knoxville, Tenn.
LaQuesta Summeour Madison, Tenn.
Hannah Taylor Blountville, Tenn.
Valerie Taylor Unicoi, Tenn.
Melanie Thomas Nashville, Tenn.
Thomas Timmerman Cookeville, Tenn.
David Tuchman Brentwood, Tenn.
Kristen Wayne Elkmont, Ala.
Mel Whaley Omaha, Nebr.
Jason Wilkerson Memphis, Tenn.
Kelly Williams Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Jonathan Wilson Chattanooga, Tenn.
Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. If this describes you, becoming a TNCPE Examiner is a great way to fulfill your personal pursuit of knowledge and equally as important, cultivate a growth mindset..
– Ocpivia Stafford, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare –
Being an examiner with TNCPE is one of the best things I’ve done – for my career, for my personal life. It definitely opens up your mind to continuous improvement. I learned so much. There’s so many resources with TNCPE. It’s not just being an examiner for that one time, it is everything else that is involved..
– Leslie Blevins, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services –
Having been an examiner for the last two years, it’s a journey in itself. I’m still learning. I’m still getting ‘A-ha!’ moments… But I think it’s such a professional growth opportunity that I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to do it.
– Buffy Key, Cookeville Regional Medical Center –
For a deep dive into the examiner experience, please read through the Examiner General Information. This will offer insight for prospective examiners, including details about the examiner timeline, our expectations, our code of ethics, and procedures.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our office.
The 2023 Examiner training fees
After an examiner has completed two full years on the Board of Examiners, they will not be charged for the examiner training course.
Category | Points | Level 4 50 pgs. | Level 3 35 pgs. | Level 2 15 pgs. |
1 | Leadership | 120 | 7 | 4.2 | |
2 | Strategic Planning | 85 | 4 | 2.9 | 1.3 |
3 | Customer Focus | 85 | 5 | 2.9 | 1.3 |
4 | Measurement, Analysis, Knowledge Management | 90 | 4 | 3.2 | 1.3 |
5 | Workforce Focus | 85 | 4 | 2.9 | 1.3 |
6 | Operations Focus | 85 | 6 | 2.9 | 1.3 |
7 | Results | 450 | 20 | 16 | 6.7 |
Totals | 1,000 | 50 | 35 | 15 |
The Criteria response must be submitted with the Organizational Profile, Application Form, and Application Fee.
Glossaries, title pages, organizational charts, and tables of contents are not counted in the page limit. All remaining pages should be consecutively numbered from start to finish. Electronic materials must be saved in one PDF file and emailed to contact@tncpe.org by the deadline on the Application Form. Please do not send a PDF of a scanned document.
Assessment Level | Number of Employees | Site Visit/Workshop Fee* - Member | Site Visit/Workshop Fee* - Non-Member |
Excellence Award (Level 4) | Less than 100 | $2,160 | $2,700 |
100-500 | $3,120 | $3,900 | |
501-1,500 | $5,040 | $6,300 | |
More Than 1,500 | $6,000 | $7,500 | |
Achievement Award (Level 3) | Less than 100 | $1,920 | $2,400 |
100-500 | $2,640 | $3,300 | |
501-1,500 | $4,080 | $5,100 | |
More Than 1,500 | $5,280 | $6,600 | |
Commitment Award (Level 2) | Less than 100 | $1,680 | $2,100 |
100-500 | $2,400 | $3,000 | |
501-1,500 | $3,840 | $4,800 | |
More Than 1,500 | $5,040 | $6,300 | |
Interest Award (Level 1) | Less than 100 | $680 | $850 |
100-500 | $920 | $1,150 | |
501-1,500 | $1,400 | $1,750 | |
More Than 1,500 | $1,880 | $2,350 |
*Applicants outside of Tennessee must pay an additional $1,000 travel fee. Applicants will be invoiced for the Site Visit Fee following completion of the site visit.
Number of Employees (Full-Time Equivalent) | Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Member | Workshop Fee (L1) / Application Fee (L2,3,4) Non-Member |
Less than 100 | $920/$1,600 | $1,150/$2,000 |
100-500 | $1,640/$3,040 | $2,050/$3,800 |
501-1,500 | $2,600/$4,960 | $3,250/$6,200 |
More Than 1,500 | $3,800/$7,360 | $4,750/$9,200 |
*This application fee table applies to Levels 2, 3, & 4.
Assessment Level | Number of Employees | Intent to Apply / Administration Fee | Application/Workshop Fee - Member / Non-Member | Site Visit/Workshop Fee* - Member / Non-Member | Total with 20% Member Discount | Total at Regular Rate |
Excellence Award (Level 4) | Less than 100 | $250 | $1,600/ $2,000 | $2,160/ $2,700 | $3,610 | $4,450 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $3,800 | $3,120/ $3,900 | $6,010 | $7,450 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $5,040/ $6,300 | $9,850 | $12,250 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $6,000/ $7,500 | $13,210 | $16,450 | |
Achievement Award (Level 3) | Less than 100 | $250 | $1,600/ $2,000 | $1,920 / $2,400 | $3,320 | $4,150 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $2,000 | $2,640/ $3,300 | $5,480 | $6,850 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $4,080/ $5,100 | $8,840 | $11,050 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $5,280/ $6,600 | $12,440 | $15,550 | |
Commitment Award (Level 2) | Less than 100 | $250 | $1,600/ $2,000 | $1,680/ $2,100 | $3,130 | $3,850 |
100-500 | $250 | $3,040/ $3,800 | $2,400/ $3,000 | $5,290 | $6,550 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $4,960/ $6,200 | $3,840/ $4,800 | $8,650 | $10,750 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $7,360/ $9,200 | $5,040/ $6,300 | $12,250 | $15,250 | |
Interest Award (Level 1) | Less than 100 | $250 | $920/ $1,150 | $680/ $850 | $1,850 | $2,250 |
100-500 | $250 | $1,640/ $2,050 | $920/ $1,150 | $2,810 | $3,450 | |
501-1,500 | $250 | $2,600/ $3,250 | $1,400/ $1,750 | $4,250 | $5,250 | |
More Than 1,500 | $250 | $3,800/ $4,750 | $1,880/ $2,350 | $5,930 | $7,350 |
Workforce size is based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees working for the applicant. FTEs are defined as those who regularly work 37.5 or more hours a week and are entitled to benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and insurance coverage. Each instance of job sharing, where multiple individuals fulfill the responsibilities of a single position that require 37.5 or more hours per week, is counted as one FTE.
Requirement | Commitment Award (Level 2) | Achievement Award (Level 3) | Excellence Award (Level 4) |
Intent to Apply/Eligibility Form | REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by May 31 Intent to Apply due with $250 non-refundable fee | ||
Organization Profile | REQUIRED FOR ALL 5-page maximum The Organizational Profile is submitted along with the Application Form, Application Fee, and Criteria Response. (see below) | ||
Application Form & Fee | REQUIRED FOR ALL Submit by July 15 Applicants must use the Application Form via tncpe.org. | ||
CEO Signature | REQUIRED FOR ALL | ||
Criteria Response | 1. Organizational Profile 2. Basic Item Questions 15-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format | 1. Organizational Profile 2. Overall Item Questions 35-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format | 1. Organizational Profile 2. Multiple Item Requirements 50-page maximum One electronic copy saved in PDF format |
Site Visit* | One day, plus half-day workshop** | Two days | Three days |
Recognition Eligibility | Commitment or Interest | Achievement, Commitment, or Interest | Excellence, Achievement, Commitment, or Interest |
Applicant Responsibilities | Provide at least one TNCPE examiner***
| Provide 2 or more TNCPE examiners† (a balanced combination of new and experienced)
Participation in annual Conference |
* Applicants must pay a site visit fee to cover site visit costs. See table below for details.
** After receiving their Feedback Report, Level 2 applicants host a half-day workshop that will help them understand and prioritize the examiners’ feedback.
*** Examiners are provided for the next application cycle.