Class of 1994: The Chattanooga Group

Chattanooga Group’s interaction with the athletic training community goes back to its founding in 1947 with local Chattanooga athletic trainer Lee Jensen, who invented the original Hydrocollator Steam Pack.  Mr. Jensen was joined in business by Jack Walker, and in the early 1950’s Mr. Walker acquired Mr. Jensen’s stake in the company and remained as President until 1976 when John Maley bought the company and served as President until his retirement in 1995.  Under Maley’s leadership the company broadened its product line to include electrotherapy, traction, and treatment tables becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of medical equipment for the physical medicine field.  As the company grew, Chattanooga played a leading role in supporting the professional organizations that were so important to its market.  John Maley was a strong supporter of the NATA and the Tennessee Athletic Trainer’s Society and believed that this support was vital for the future of the company and the advancement of the athletic training profession.