“From Beans to Apple Fritters and More” presented by William B. Stokely, III, Chairman of The Stokely Company

A legacy of family bonding and commitment to community preserved in a down home family feel for over 115 years

With a fascinating family history that dates back to the nineteenth century with Stokely Brothers & Company and then Stokely-Van Camp – a Fortune 500 Company that was later sold in 1983 – the Stokely name is well known in the East Tennessee area.

The Stokely family tradition of farming and producing quality food began with matriarch Anna Rorex Stokely, a woman of strong character and faith who became a young widow with nine children. Under the direction of Anna and her sons, the Stokely Brothers canning operation grew to become one of America's largest companies with 4,500 full-time employees, 34 factories in 14 states, and almost $600 million in annual sales. Of particular significance, Stokely-Van Camp developed Army “C” rations for the troops fighting WWII and eventually acquired rights to Gatorade and became the first company to market sports drinks in 1967. Surviving five generations of ownership, massive expansion, and nationwide financial panics, this impressive family enterprise continues to own and manage real estate development, an office building, farming, lodging facilities and restaurants, including the beloved Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains.

On November 8, take a step back in time with us. William B. Stokely, III, Chairman of The Stokely Company, will discuss his family’s success, growth, and expansion over the years in addition to the transition from operating a public company to a privately owned business. Mr. Stokely also plans to share his personal goals, habits, faith, and public service.

Certainly, the original Stokely Brothers has evolved throughout its company history. If you listen closely though, its values of family bonding and commitment to community seem to echo from generations past – a beautiful testament to the Stokely legacy.

Note:  TLC will be posting other interesting facts, images, and videos about the Stokely family on our Facebook page...Stay Connected

Meet Our Speaker: William B. Stokely, III

William B. Stokely, III (“Bill”), is Chairman of The Stokely Company and directs the venture capital activities of a wide variety of companies.  From a Fortune 500 Company in Stokely Van-Camp to smaller businesses in East Tennessee such as Stokely Hospitality Enterprises which includes the Applewood Farmhouse and Applewood Grill restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Baskin-Robbins franchises in Sevier County and LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Mr. Stokely recently transitioned the ownership of Stokely Hospitality Enterprises to his son, William B. Stokely, IV.  Another venture, Stokely Hospitality Properties, Inc., owns and operates the Edgewater Hotel in Gatlinburg.  The Stokely Company also operates a working farm in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.  He also serves as President of the William B. Stokely, Jr. Foundation and directs the activities of this non-profit organization.

Mr. Stokely graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1963.  During his undergraduate years, he was a member of the Tennessee Football Team. After graduation, he spent 20 years in several different geographic locations holding a variety of positions from Corporate Vice-President for International Development to President with his family's Indianapolis, Indiana, based food processing company, Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.   At the age of 40, he became Chairman and CEO. Under Mr. Stokely's leadership as Chairman of Stokely-Van Camp, he attempted to take the company private through an internal management led leveraged buy-out ("LBO").  The attempted LBO attracted other investors that ultimately significantly out-bid the internal management team's stock offer.  Upon the conclusion of that sale, Stokely resigned from the company.  In August 1984, he and his wife, Kay Haslett Stokely, two sons and two daughters moved their residence from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Loudon County, Tennessee.  He then founded The Stokely Company.

Since returning to the East Tennessee area, Stokely has been involved in many civic and cultural activities.  The Stokely family has a strong legacy of volunteer service to the University of Tennessee, where Mr. Stokely served as National Chairman of the 21st Century Campaign.  He has served on the UT Board of Trustees and is also a long time member and past Chairman of the Development Council and College of Business Administration Advisory Council to the Dean and a member of the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.  Mr. Stokely’s involvement in athletics while at UT encouraged an interest in sports.  He served on the Indiana Sports Corp. board and was a founding Director and the first and only Chairman of the Knoxville Sports Corp.  He has served as Chairman of Berry College Board of Trustees, Rome, Georgia.  Among other boards he served on the Knoxville Museum of Art, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Webb School Board.  The Stokelys are members of First Baptist Church of Concord. 

Coffee, light breakfast, and TLC served.