(Re)Building Community
Isaac Pannell and his team are building up not only
new and old structures, but also their neighbors
What does global economic development have to do with restoring old buildings? Quite a lot, according to Isaac Pannell, owner of Pannell Construction. “That’s what my degree is in, Global Economic Development,”says Isaac. “What does that have to do with what I do? What I hope to do with my business is help reduce generational poverty.”
For Isaac, it means not only making a client’s vision for their project a reality, but also doing what his business can to give people in the community—and local businesses—a chance to succeed.
“A core value of ours—and by that I mean not just my values, but those of my entire team—is to focus on projects that can have a positive impact. For us, and I’m fortunate to be able to say this, it’s not always about making money.”
For Isaac, that sums up who he is and the kind of work that he hopes to do as one of Knoxville’s premier licensed general contractors. Building up his neighbors is the name of the game.
Telling Their Story
A core element of the work Pannell Construction embarks on ensures that the story of a project or a community remains intact. If it’s a new project, it fits within the community in which its being built. If it’s historic renovation, he and his team provide an updated vision without jeopardizing its history, keeping intact elements of its past.
“Take the Old Fort Sanders project, for instance,” recounts Isaac. “This is the type of project we strive to take on, projects that benefit the community. It’s also important to maintain as much history as possible as. I believe that is just as important to people as a building’s functionality, its ‘intent,’ as it were. That’s why we’re keeping the original layout of the building, along with many of the original materials and features. We’re utilizing all the original cinderblock, for instance, as well as the old steel I-beams that are running through the middle of it. We’re keeping them because they really tell the story of this building.”
There’s More to Giving Back
For Isaac, giving back is more than just a popular phrase to be thrown about. He is fully committed to the people and businesses in the region.
“I believe it’s kind of our social responsibility to continue to invest our skills, our talents and our expertise to take on projects that impact the areas that are underdeveloped or are underserved,” he says. Take, for example, his search for a building that would house is offices. What did he do? He found a building in an underserved community and “revitalized it from nothing in order to kind of give a lift to that community.”
Lately, Isaac says, the company has been fortunate to partner with the Tennessee Board of Regents on projects that fall right into Isaac’s proverbial “wheelhouse.” These projects are very much in line with his philosophy of impacting lives in a positive way. They range from a building renovation at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology to a building expansion at Pellissippi State Community College.
“Whether we’re bringing something current or creating something new,” says Isaac, “we’re doing something important. Not just for the individuals who will benefit immediately, but also for those who’ll benefit in the future. A kind of legacy of improving lives for decades to come. I think that’s pretty awesome.”
Gold Winner :
Commercial – Remodeling
Bronze Winner :
Custom Home Builder –
$1 Million +
865- 333-9266
900 E. Hill Avenue, #140
Knoxville, TN 37915
pannellconstruction.com