Partner Spotlight
AOW Tax & Accounting
Adrienne Webster, founder and owner of AOW Tax & Accounting, is a longtime Knox Heritage member who currently serves on our board (including as board president from 2022-2024).
Below, Adrienne shares how she became involved with Knox Heritage, what she loves most about the organization, and a bit about her business.
How did you first hear about Knox Heritage?
A friend asked me to volunteer at the very first Summer Supper in 2004 at the historic home of Randall DeFord and Wes Goddard in Fort Sanders. I was so impressed by the unique story and beauty of the house and how much everyone was invested in preserving the historic neighborhood.
What made you decide to get involved?
The passion for preservation was contagious! Once you know even one tiny fact about the place you live, you want to know more and share it with everyone. I was already obsessed with Knoxville history—particularly anything written about it by Jack Neely. Getting involved in preservation firsthand was the obvious next step!
Why do you enjoy supporting this organization?
I feel a great sense of belonging in the local community by helping to maintain our history. It’s important to make sure our children also learn to cherish their heritage and have the privilege of preserving it.
Knox Heritage is also great at making education and advocacy fun through various events and conferences! They’re super informative and you get to connect with a lot of like-minded people.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that Knox Heritage does?
In my opinion, the most important work lies in advocacy for the neighborhoods we live in and work in every day. Preservation isn’t just for big mansions and famous landmarks—it’s for the structures our grandparents grew up in that we still enjoy and utilize today.
Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement or providing inspiration?
This is easy—the Knox Heritage staff continually amazes me with their focus and dedication. I also often think back to my first impressions of the organization and the passion that those folks had that inspired me. Many of them are still involved today, such as Randall DeFord, Wes Goddard, Jack Neely, Dorothy Stair, Ellen Bebb and Finbarr Saunders.
Is there a program or initiative that you’re particularly passionate about?
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION GRANTS! What better way is there to forward the Knox Heritage mission? We’ve had families, business owners, and nonprofits from 22 local neighborhoods apply, highlighting the urgent need for this kind of support. So far, we’ve awarded $75,000, helping folks all over Knoxville maintain their historic buildings!
What would you like the Knox Heritage audience to know about your business?
With over 20 years of experience in tax and accounting, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting small businesses. My journey began in 2008 when I opened AOW shortly after becoming involved with Knox Heritage.
Having a deep appreciation for Knoxville’s history and charm, I’ve worked in buildings that are over 80 years old. In fact, my first office was in a 100-year-old building on Gay Street. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with both Knox Heritage and Knoxville History Project, sharing an office with the KHP team for nearly a decade.
I have a strong love for Knoxville and the history and community that make it such a vibrant town. Therefore, what I love most about my work is the opportunity to lend my expertise in tax and accounting to help small and local businesses thrive.