Ian Prunty to Receive Service Award

At the 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, Sewanee Civic Association meeting, Ian Prunty will receive the Summa Cum Laude for Community Service Award for his service and work on the Mountain Goat Trail. While in high school, Prunty worked on the first section of the trail.
Prunty and others started the trail through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The funding was found through state transportation funds that were “iced,” meaning the funds had to be spent on alternative transportation projects or if left unused, the money went back to Washington.
“The idea to start came from discussions with a number of locals about the state of the Mountain Goat and the opportunity to improve its condition,” said Prunty.
“This project was in no way tied to my Eagle Scout work. Someone actually suggested the idea to me during Earth Day at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School.
“The critical driver in the whole process was then county mayor Monty Adams, who took time out of his busy schedule to answer the request of someone who was too young to even vote for him. Louise Irwin was also a constant advocate for the project through her position as a county commissioner. Once funding was secured, we raised matching funds locally, as this was a condition for the grant being awarded.”
Prunty said he is glad to hear efforts to expand the trail are moving forward. “When working on the trail, one person encouraged me through a Margaret Mead quote: ‘Never doubt the ability of a small group of people to change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.’ The great work of the current Mountain Goat Trail Alliance continues to prove that statement true.”
Ian currently serves as an account executive for Arlington-based software provider Opower, which partners with utilities around the world with the aim of reducing residential energy consumption.
 Prior to joining Opower, Ian served in the administration of former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, where he worked on rural development initiatives and assisted in the state’s recruitment of international investment.
 Ian holds a BA in Political Science and Asian Studies from DePauw University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He is a member of St. Ann’s parish in East Nashville, where he serves on the church’s finance committee.
Ian is the son of Wyatt and Barbara Prunty of Sewanee.