Eric Zeanah

Owner and President, American Accessories International, LLC

Education

• BS 1984 Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Eric Zeanah (ISE, ’84) has been a long-time supporter, advocate for, and member of the Tickle College of Engineering community.

As a testament to the spirit of giving back that he and his wife Elaine (Nursing, ’82) have had across the years, the Zeanah Engineering Complex, the Jessie Rogers Zeanah Faculty Fellow, the Zeanah Student Support Fund, and the Doulet-Zeanah Student Lounge in the John D. Tickle Building all bear their name, in addition to the American Accessories International Endowed Scholarship which was created through his company.

Now, he’s being recognized for that legacy of support by being selected as the 2023 Nathan W. Dougherty Award winner, the highest honor bestowed by the college.

“This is a tremendous honor, one that has been given to some of the most noted luminaries our college has produced over the years, and I am truly humbled to have been selected,” Zeanah said. “I am most proud of the direct interactions I have been afforded with students and so grateful to be a part of this college community, proud of our past successes, pleased with our current trajectory, and excited to see what we will achieve next.”

Additional signs of the Zeanahs’ legacy can be seen in the creation of the Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair and in WomEngineers Day, both of which he helped champion into existence.

Even outside of the college, VOLeaders Academy, which encourages student-athletes to use their roles to change society for the better, and the Beagle Boys Endowment at the UT Veterinary Medical Center, made in honor of their dogs to help pay for costs of those who need the services of the facility but can’t afford to pay, are lasting testaments to their love of UT.

“Eric Zeanah and his wife Elaine have both been ardent supporters of their alma mater, financially, through their actions, and through their voices,” said Dean Matthew Mench, the current Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair. “This is a richly deserved recognition of that and of the success that Eric has had through his company.”

American Accessories International works with Fortune 500 companies, including market and brand analysis, product development, material and cost analysis, and graphic design concepts.

The Dougherty award singles out those who have “brought honor and distinction to the college through their achievements or who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession in Tennessee through their professional activities” and has been given annually since 1957.