Mandel overseees BlueCross unit

Dr. Robert Mandel has been named by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to serve as senior vice president of health care services. His responsibilities include overall clinical strategy, transformative medical management delivery and clinical network operations for the company's commercially insured members, a news release said.

Dr. Mandel has more than 11 years of senior leadership experience in health systems and health plan management to the Tennessee Blues Plan. He most recently served as vice president of health care services for BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts.

He is a graduate of Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Krebs wins top performer award

Bruce Krebs of the Chattanooga office of The Entrepreneur's Source has been honored by the company as its top performer for the fifth consecutive year. He was also was presented the Coach of the Year recognition and honored for his leadership. These awards were given out at the annual meeting in Florida in September.

The Entrepreneur's Source is an international consulting and coaching organization that aims to help people explore self-employment options. It has been in business for 24 years.

Gentle will lead Smart Furniture

T.J. Gentle has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Smart Furniture Inc., according to Stephen Culp, founder and chairman of the firm.

"As Smart Furniture looks forward to our second decade, our team is strong, our growth is solid, and our customers are well-served -- as is our focus on constant innovation, internally and externally," Mr. Culp said. "With T.J.'s leadership, talent, and understanding of our culture and mission, he is the right man to lead our company through our next phase of strategic innovation, world-class service to our customers, and strong growth for our shareholders."

Mr. Gentle said the company is "poised to become a leader in an emerging market which combines technology and innovative products to provide consumers with custom furniture and fixture solutions."

Galvanizing firm wins award

Tennessee Galvanizing Inc. in Jasper, Tenn., has received the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry award for outstanding environmental accomplishments.

"Tennessee Galvanzing has demostrated by this project their environmental awareness and stewardship and was presented an Environmental Excellence award and a Hazardous Waste Management 'Achievement Certificate,' " said Wayne Scharber, vice president of environmental affairs for the Tennessee Chamber.

Seal of Satisfaction honorees saluted

Services Select recently hosted its third annual Business Excellence Day luncheon for company owners and executves of companies receiving the 2008 Seal of Satisfaction award. The Seal of Satisfaction certification mark and award are presented annually by Services Select.

Honored companies included ADS Security, Bath Fitter, Champion Window & Door, Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Chattanooga Garage Door, The Children's Doctors, DeMoss Accounting, Economy Honda, Gordons Cleaners, Hair Benders International, The Honors Learning Center, Jody Millard Pest Control, Landscape Arts, Malone Heat & Air, Marshal Mize Ford, Molly Maid, Rone Regency Jewelers, The Rug Rack, Scenic City Plumbing, Spacemakers of Chattanooga, Sports Barn, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and University Women's Services.

Pinner promoted to executive chef

The Chattanoogan hotel on the Southside has announced its promotion of Matthew Pinner to the position of executive chef. He has served as the hotel's executive sous chef for the past three years.

Mr. Pinner is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel's three dining establishments, a news release said.

He is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C.

TechCFO enters city market

TechCFO, a provider of outsourced CFO-level financial and management services for technology companies, has entered the Chattanooga market with Frank J. Pazera becoming a partner in the firm.

Mr. Pazera has public and private financial management experience, primarily in the technology, media, telecommunications and service sectors. He previously served as CEO and director for Chattanooga-based Covista Communications, a provider of telecommunication services.

He is a certified public accountant who began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and holds an MBA in finance from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University.

He lives in Hixson with his wife Laura and two children, Tyler and Samantha.

CPA firm adds four to audit staff

Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter PLLC has announced that Lindsey Blazek, Tatyana Watson, Quintin Haskins and Chris Hubbard have been added to its audit staff.

Ms. Blazek is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She lives in East Brainerd with her husband, Jonathan.

Ms. Watson is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University and lives in East Brainerd with her husband, Travis, and son, Mark.

Mr. Haskins is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and lives in Red Bank.

Mr. Hubbard is an East Tennessee State University graduate and lives in Chattanooga.

Hazlett is a Chattanooga-based regional certified public accounting firm.

Farr earns pro credential

Shannon Farr, a certified public accountant with accounting and business advisory firm Joseph Decosimo and Co., has recently been awarded the Accredited in Business Valuation credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The credential recognizes certified public accountants with extensive professional experience in business valuation, a news release said.

Ms. Farr serves as a business valuation manager with Decosimo Advisory Services and is one of seven Decosimo professionals who have earned the ABV credential.

She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. She and her husband and their children live on Signal Mountain.

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