Brockhoff to head TVA IT group

BUSINESS DIGEST

Friday, January 1, 1904

Brockhoff to head TVA IT group

The Tennessee Valley Authority has named Paula Sharpe Brockhoff as the vice president for enterprise support and customer operations in TVA's information technology organization.

Brockhoff will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of TVA's information technology infrastructure and will work in Chattanooga.

Brockhoff comes to TVA from Atlanta-based Southern Co., where she was director of information technology at the Southern subsidiary Southern Power.

"The enterprise support and customer operations function ensures the performance and availability of the systems critical to the daily operation of TVA," said Dan Traynor, TVA's chief information officer. "Paula's more than 30 years' experience in information technology and the electric utility industry will be valuable assets to TVA and the IT business unit."

Brockhoff holds a bachelor of science degree in management from Shorter College and certification in the general management program at Harvard Business School.

BlueCross names Maki regional VP

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named John Maki vice president of regional sales and account management.

In his new position, Maki is responsible for new account sales and existing account retention for all regional accounts.

"Since joining BlueCross in 2005, John has demonstrated leadership and excellence at every opportunity," said Henry Smith, senior vice president of operations for BlueCross. "His experience and knowledge of our customers and the Tennessee marketplace will be a great asset for both our sales team and the clients we serve."

Before he joined BlueCross, Maki was the marketing executive for Humana with responsibilities for developing the intermediate, large and major markets in Tennessee and Mississippi. Prior to Humana, he was the director of key accounts for United HealthCare with responsibilities for sales and account management for Tennessee and Arkansas.

Maki holds a bachelor of science in business management.

Smith, Elliott join Hutton Co.

Geoff Smith and Bob Elliott have joined the Hutton Co., a development, construction, brokerage and property management business in Chattanooga.

Karen J. Hutton, owner of the Hutton Co., will retain her title as chief executive. Smith will fill the role of president while Elliott will be vice president of Hutton Construction Inc.

Smith was a vice president of development at CBL & Associates & Properties Inc. and has worked in the business for more than 23 years.

Elliott is formerly of CBL and EMJ Corp.

Hildebrand, Trimiew join firm

Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC, has added two new attorneys to its Chattanooga office to work on general civil litigation.

James "Jay" S. Hildebrand Jr. graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. and received his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, magna cum laude. He is a Chattanooga native and previously worked as an assistant director of boarding admissions and coached junior varsity baseball at McCallie School. He also previously worked as the superintendent for Collier Construction Co. At law school, Hildebrand served on the honor council and was the chairman of the student faculty relations committee. He was also a member of the moot court board and the national trial team.

Martin D. Trimiew graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A., University of Notre Dame with an M.Ed. and received his law degree from the Washington University School of Law. Prior to law school, Mr. Trimiew participated in the A.C.E. program at the University of Notre Dame, serving as a fifth grade teacher and basketball coach in Jacksonville, Fla.

Brandenburg receives award

Anita Brandenburg, director of human resources at The Chattanoogan conference center downtown, has been honored with the prestigious James House Williamson Award for her significant contributions to the industry and the Society for Human Resource Management. Brandenburg is the first recipient of the award from Chattanooga since 1998.

The honor is in tribute to James House Williamson, who is best known for establishing University of Tennessee's extension centers.

Brandenburg joined The Chattanoogan before the upscale hotel opened in 2001. She has more than 22 years of human resources experience. Brandenburg has held numerous offices with SHRM Chattanoogan, including serving twice as president.

Miller & Martin wins equity honor

The Women's Economic Council Foundation has awarded Miller & Martin PLLC its 2011 Excellence and Equity Award (E-Awards) in the corporate division. The Chattanooga-based law firm was recognized for serving as a role model and helping to improve the quality of life for girls and women in Tennessee. Each year, the WECF selection committee accepts nominations from its members and selects six winners -- one for each grand division of Tennessee in both the corporate and individual categories.

"This year's E-Award recipients show how the principles of 'excellence, equity and equality' proudly can be upheld across sectors and among organizations of all types and sizes," said Yvonne Wood, director of the Economic Summit for Women. "Each honoree is an exemplar for young women aspiring to ever-greater heights and also sets new precedents for each company headquartered in our state and every individual who does business here."

The Business Digest is published every Sunday to highlight career moves and promotions of managers of Chattanooga area companies and agencies. Announcements should be send to Business Editor Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or by calling 757-6340.