Bavarian Auto owner Jonathan Vickery has been honored by the U.S. Department of Defense for his “exceptional support of employees who serve in the Tennessee National Guard.”

He was saluted by the Tennessee Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve during recent ceremonies in Chattanooga.

His company received the Above and Beyond plaque from the committee and Mr. Vickery was given a personalized Patriot Award for “contributing to our national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force,” a news release stated.

Sgt. Mike Headrick, a soldier in the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, is an employee with Bavarian Auto.

New salon opens on Gunbarrel

Sunny Cox, of New York City, recently opened a foil salon in Suite A-13 at 2115 Gunbarrel Road.

Liliya Sokil is the esthetician at the new business, which officials said is seeking hairstylists, nail technicians and massage therapists.

Shelton earns Green designation

Phyllis Shelton of Best Realty GMAC Real Estate has earned the Green designation from the National Association of Realtors.

The core course leading to the designation provides real estate professionals with knowledge of green building principles applied in homes, commercial properties, developments and communities. It encourages the designee to be an advocate for green principles in the design and use of homes and commercial buildings, a news release stated.

She completed the green residential real estate elective course.

Teresa Boyer-Young is the owner-broker of Best Realty GMAC Real Estate, which has an office in Suite 539 at 5959 Shallowford Road and at 167 Third Ave. in Dayton, Tenn.

Self-storage opens behind Taco Bell

A new self-storage business, known as South Chattanooga Self Storage Inc., has opened at 1500 E. 41st St., behind the Taco Bell on Rossville Boulevard.

Connie and Dale Smith are the owners of the business that features 120 units.

They said they expect to build a second phase of units once there is full occupancy of the first phase.

Truck drivers Hall, Dorris honored

FirstFleet Inc. has announced that two of its drivers were recently honored for special achievements.

Dave Hall, of Cleveland, Tenn., has been honored by the Tennessee Trucking Association as the Tennessee Truck Driver of the Year, FirstFleet said.

He has been with FirstFleet since 1987 and has driven more than 2 million safe miles. He drives for the Peyton’s account out of Cleveland.

“Dave Hall is the definition of a safe driver,” says Thad Wells, terminal manager with FirstFleet in Cleveland. “Our company, Peyton’s, and the state of Tennessee are extremely proud of him.”

FirstFleet said Tracy Dorris, who is from the terminal in Cleveland, was saluted for 2 million safe miles driven with no preventable accidents. He has been with FirstFleet since 1993 and also drives for the Peyton’s account.

FirstFleet provides dedicated contract carriage service and state-of-the-art equipment nationwide. It has operations based in 29 states, with service to all 48 contiguous states, Canada and Mexico.

Katie Welch named to health care post

Katie Welch has become community development coordinator with BrightStar Healthcare of Greater Chattanooga.

She previously served as marketing liaison with Hospice of Chattanooga. She has degrees in human resources and business and organization management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

BrightStar Healthcare is an in-home care company.

Workshop Tuesday for veterans

A financial workshop for veterans will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the American Legion No. 95, 3329 Ringgold Road.

People can learn about the different veterans’ benefits, disability income, how to buy a home with no money down and the $8,000 tax credit. Call 899-9600 for information and to reserve a seat. Refreshments sponsored by American Home Mortgage and Assist-2-sell.

Bovine named clinical director

Rhonda Bovine has become clinical director of ClinSearch LLC, a multiple-specialty center that provides medical treatment options for patients in the region. She joined ClinSearch in August 2008 as an ANCC-certified advanced practice nurse.

She received her nursing degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed her MSN degree with a concentration in the family nurse practitioner program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Woodcraft opening Thursday

Woodcraft, a retail woodworking business offering more than 7,000 woodworking products, will celebrate its opening on Thursday at 1414 Jenkins Road.

Rodney and Tara Milen own the new business that stocks a wide range of goods, including power tools, lumber and carving implements.

“We heard an interest from builders and furniture makers, weekend hobbyists and others for a store where they could find ‘All things wood,’” the Milens said. “This kind of business is available in most other cities of Chattanooga’s size, and we wanted to bring one here.”

ARG Financial Staffing opens here

ARG Financial Staffing recently announced its opening of an office in the Republic Centre in downtown Chattanooga.

Carol Fox is Chattanooga division manager for an operation that is a specialized services firm for accounting and administrative professionals.

While budgets are tight, “resourceful leaders know that they now have access to project professionals on a contract basis offering expertise they can use to clean up or upgrade certain aspects of their company,” said John Sharpe, founder and president of ARG. He said the current economic downturn “is our time to grow and capture market share.”

He also noted that the response “to our presence in Chattanooga has been outstanding, with an influx of talented candidates and a welcome reception from the business community.”

Carter Fuller named to board

Carter Fuller, president of Fuller Rehabilitation Independent Living Aids, has been named to the board of directors of the American Association for Homecare.

Fuller Rehabilitation, based in Northwest Georgia, is a power mobility provider with branch locations in seven states and more than 200 employees. Mr. Fuller is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He is married and has four children.

AAHomecare works to strengthen access to care for the millions of Americans who require medical care in their homes, a news release said.

Lookout Mountain Gallery opens

The Lookout Mountain Gallery recently celebrated its relocation to 3535-A Broad St.

The fine art gallery moved into a 2,400-square-foot building adjacent to the Mount Vernon Restaurant.

Susan S. Kendrick, principal and gallery director, and Jeannette G. Turcotte, director of business management, are partners in the business.

The gallery features works in glass and pottery, as well as prints, oil on canvas, acrylics, photography, jewelry and sculptures by emerging, mid-career and master artists, a news release said. The gallery is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Morgan Keegan promotes Gouge

Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. has announced the promotion of its Chattanooga office operations manager, Donna S. Gouge, to the post of vice president.

Morgan Keegan & Co. is a regional, full-service brokerage and investment banking firm based in Memphis.

Staff Reports