New Clarity and Opportunity Through the Amazon A&E Program

By ICIC | December 16, 2025

ICIC, in partnership with Amazon and Arctaris Impact Investors, recently celebrated the completion of the 2025 Amazon Accelerate and Empower Program (Amazon A&E) with a Capstone event at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama. This year, 44 small businesses from across the Delta Region  – representing 14 industries and five states, with 89 percent located in Alabama and Tennessee –  completed the intensive 10-week program which is based on the core ICCC curriculum. Amazon A&E is designed to strengthen procurement readiness, expand capacity, and open doors to new opportunities for small and diverse owned suppliers and was also supported by Regions Bank, ICIC’s longtime sponsor and a Birmingham based institution.

During the program, entrepreneurs completed executive education, one-on-one coaching, financial modeling through LivePlan, Amazon facility tours, procurement readiness sessions, and pitch development support. At the Capstone, participants delivered four-minute pitches to Amazon, Arctaris Impact Investors, Regions Bank, and community partners, sharing their growth strategy and readiness for larger opportunities. For Tena Everett of Active Energy Services LLC, the program was both timely and transformative.

Active Energy Services, LLC has served Tennessee and Kentucky for more than 20 years with a fully integrated approach to electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and carpentry work. Based in Clarksville, TN, the company delivers turnkey solutions for Federal, institutional, and government clients. Of note, it is 100 percent service-disabled veteran-owned, 51 percent woman-owned, and both SBA and HUBZone certified. For co-owner Tena, the company’s trajectory is shaped by partnership, perseverance, and a commitment to growth.

Veteran-Owned Tennessee Construction Business Founded Through Shared Service Values

Tena and her husband Rich Everett met at an M60 machine gun range while serving in the United States Army. A freezing November range qualification introduced them to each other’s resilience. Tena recalls,

“I was determined to not be considered a sissy, so I stayed outside in the freezing cold alongside the male soldiers.”

Rich was drawn to Tena’s charm and determination, which led to their marriage and starting a family. Despite Rich’s extensive travel for military and private sector roles, and Tena’s corporate leadership advancements, they eventually wanted more time with their daughters’ sports and church activities, which led to the founding of Active Energy Services in Tennessee. Launching their own company not only achieved this balance but also enabled them to make a more significant impact on their local community and church. Tena states:

“Our faith, 40+ years of marriage, life experiences, and military service have allowed us to thrive in challenging environments. We identify possible risks and determine concrete solutions for moving forward.”

A Family-Owned Construction Company Grows from the Amazon A&E Program

When Active Energy Services received an invitation to the Amazon A&E Program, they entered with curiosity and were not quite sure what the Amazon A&E Program would mean for them. Tena recalls,

“It was not until the Opening Seminar that we became fully aware of the opportunities the program would offer. The realization encouraged us to dive in headfirst with excitement and determination.”

For two decades, the business owners had followed established patterns in their processes, marketing strategies, and customer approach. However, their involvement in the Amazon A&E program required them to adapt their practices from a small-window focus to embrace larger business opportunities, including partnering with other participants in the program and engaging with larger businesses like Amazon.

Expert-Led Business Education That Transformed Their Strategy

The depth of expertise from the Amazon A&E program faculty made a strong impression. Tena reflects:

“The fact that these world renowned professionals would invite us to participate in a program dedicated to help us to market and grow our business solely because they wanted us to succeed was mind boggling.”

Through the curriculum, Active Energy Services refined how they communicate with customers, identify opportunities, and evaluate their operations.

How Learning With Other Small Business Owners Strengthened Their Vision

The cohort experience was one of the most meaningful aspects of the program. Tena and Rich remarked on their willingness to share their vulnerabilities and success stories.

“Growing alongside one another and the sharing of ideas throughout the A&E program allowed us to see our peers transform as well as ourselves.”

Observing the cohort work on their pitches highlighted the power of clarity and underscored the necessity of learning from other business owners. Tena gained a profound understanding of entrepreneurial endeavors.

Tena describes the Capstone Event as a mix of nerves, pride, gratitude, and anticipation. She recalls the excitement she felt for every entrepreneur in the room and how they appeared ready for the next stage. By the end of the event, she felt proud of how much progress everyone had made.

Business Tools and Mindsets That Improved Their Operations

Tena acknowledges that the entrepreneurial path can come with uncertainty. Before the program, she and Rich would at times feel deep uncertainty about their path. She says,

“You’ll have moments where you think ‘was this the best decision?’… but that’s quickly overshadowed by the opportunity to work alongside someone you truly respect, trust and admire.”

Rich and Tena gained a renewed appreciation for their complementary strengths, reminding them to leverage what each person does best for the benefit of the company.

This led to the couple making extensive changes to their marketing positioning in order to ensure that outsiders had a unified view of the company. The organization refined its processes and enhanced the customer relationship experience, leading to a greater appreciation for the value of its services. With a clearer offering, employees immediately gained new confidence.

Why the Amazon A&E Program Matters for Small Business Growth in Tennessee

For Tena, the program fills important gaps for business owners seeking structured support and high-level expertise.

“Access to distinguished entrepreneurs and scholars is critical in our region. The tools and insights we received will bring our business to the next level.”

Future Growth for a Veteran-Owned Contractor in Tennessee

Active Energy Services now plans to increase its marketing capacity and explore partnerships both with larger companies and with peers from the A&E cohort.

Legacy remains their focus as they continue to take their business to the next level and build for their children and grandchildren. Tena says,

“Determine a path. Make a plan. Stick to the plan. Strive to continually improve.”

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About the ICCC Program

ICCC is a 40-hour “mini-MBA” designed for established small business owners who want to lead, grow, and innovate in today’s fast-moving world. The ICCC program brings together executive education, networking, one-on-one coaching, and access to capital—empowering small businesses in under-resourced communities to break barriers, build stronger companies, and drive community impact. This expert-designed curriculum is offered at no cost to qualifying businesses, thanks to ICIC’s funding partners.

To learn more and apply, visit icic.org/iccc.

About the Amazon A&E Program

ICIC, through its ICCC program, proudly partnered with Amazon and Arctaris Impact Investors to launch Amazon Accelerate and Empower (Amazon A&E). This innovative program is designed to accelerate the growth and development of disadvantaged-owned and small businesses (DOSBs) in under-resourced communities.

Built on ICCC’s 20-year legacy of impact and a curriculum proven to support small business growth, the program integrates supplier-focused content from Amazon to deliver tailored education, procurement readiness coaching, capital resources, and direct access to Amazon’s Global Procurement team.