Bucher, Austin join Metal Systems

Keith Bucher has joined Metal Systems as vice president of finance and information systems.

Mr. Bucher has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University and a master’s in business administration from Bradley University.

He most recently served as controller for U.S. operations with Union Pump Co. in Battle Creek, Mich., and has 20 years experience in the accounting and finance area. He and wife, Malia, are relocating to the Chattanooga area.

Also, Deron Austin has joined Metal Systems in a new role as marketing director. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and is a professional engineer in Tennessee. In addition to his extensive engineering background and experience, he has spent nearly 15 years in sales and marketing with Propex in Chattanooga. Deron, his wife, Lesley, and three boys reside in Ooltewah.

Thrasher named heating-air director

Kay Thrasher, vice president with Townsend Engineering, Chattanooga, has become director-at-large of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

The graduate of Chattanooga State Technical Community College will serve a three-year term.

The group is an international organization with about 50,000 members.

1st Volunteer taps Miller, Richards

First Volunteer Bank has announced that Craig Miller and Alinda Richards have joined the retail banking team as market leaders at its Shallowford Road and South Pittsburg offices, respectively.

Mr. Miller has 11 years of banking and management experience while Mrs. Richards has more than 12 years of banking experience.

Mr. Miller is a graduate of the University of Michigan and previously was associated wth Wal-Mart. He, his wife, Michele, and daughter reside in Chattanooga.

Mrs. Richards is a graduate of the Florida Career Institute. She lives with her husband, Larry, and a daughter in Jasper, Tenn.

First Volunteer Bank is a $647 million financial institution with 25 branch offices throughout East and Middle Tennessee.

Cornerstone Bank names 5 people

Cornerstone Community Bank has announced five appointments.

Barry Watson, a 30-year banking industry veteran, has been promoted executive vice president of the bank founded 13 years ago. He joined Cornerstone in 2002 after serving with other banks locally.

He is a native of Chattanooga and graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He and his wife and their two daughters live in East Brainerd.

Sam Moody recently joined Cornerstone as senior vice president commercial and consumer loan officer at the Gunbarrel branch. He previously served as executive vice president of a regional bank.

He majored in industrial management at Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Mich., and completed the Tennessee Young Bankers program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He is married with two daughters and three grandchildren.

Jim McKenzie recently joined the bank as vice president and relationship manager at the Miller Plaza branch. He most recently served as vice president of operations with Kenco Logistic Services. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and he and his wife, Katie, and their two children live in the city.

Pam Sprouse has joined Cornerstone as relationship manager and bank officer in the Gunbarrel branch. She has 12 years in banking and is married with three sons. She lives in the Harrison area.

Brett Johnson recently joined Eagle Financial Inc., a commercial finance company and subsidiary of Cornerstone, as vice president and chief administrative officer in the Lee Highway office. He has 16 years of banking experience and six years as an entrepreneur.

Mr. Johnson is a 1985 graduate of the UT and received the certified cash manager designation in 2000. He lives in Ooltewah with his wife and three children.

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