Banking veteran Phil Barnes will lead CapitalMark Bank's wealth and trust group, which is approaching $100 million in total assets.
Barnes is a 33-year banker, most recently spending two decades with Regions Bank and its predecessors. Barnes has served in a variety of roles spanning management, administration and sales in both trust and private banking.
"CapitalMark's model is oriented toward clients seeking a private-bank experience, and the trust group is a perfect complement," Barnes said. "In an environment of bank consolidation, there is opportunity for both clients and our bank in the trust arena."
Barnes is a graduate of Covenant College and University of Virginia's International School of Lending, University of Delaware's Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Vanderbilt University's corporate finance course in mergers and acquisitions.
Chambers joins Raymond James
Sandy Chambers has been named financial adviser at Raymond James, according to Barton Close, vice president of investments and founder of Classic Wealth Advisory of Raymond James.
Chambers spent seven years in charge of the trust department for FSGBank after she organized the department in 2004. She spent 12 years in the trust department of Pioneer Bank and its successors, First American Bank, AmSouth Bank and Regions Bank. She once worked in public accounting in the tax department of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young.
Chambers has accounting degrees from the University of Georgia in Athens.
Ringgold winery wins taste awards
The Georgia Winery in Ringgold, Ga., recently won silver and bronze medals in the Indy International Wine Competition in three categories: French-American rosé, grape and fruit blends, and berry wines.
Chattanooga Blush won a silver medal from the French-American blush rosé category. This blend of Cayuga White, Niagara and Concord is the winery's No. 2 seller. A new blend of muscadine, blueberries and blackberries, called Southern Sangria, won a silver medal in the grape and fruit blends category. The blackberry wine took home a bronze medal in the berry category.
Founded in 1983, Georgia Winery is Georgia's first farm winery and has won more than 200 medals in competitions.
Scearce named head of On Point
Lesley Scearce has been named president and chief executive of On Point.
Formerly executive director of the nonprofit group, Scearce's new role is the result of On Point's growing collaborations, both locally and nationally. Scearce will focus on building partnerships that help youth thrive.
Stepping up from her previous role of program director, Amy Pearson has been named executive director of On Point. Pearson brings over 14 years of experience in program planning and implementation. Pearson's main function will be to oversee and execute On Point's program delivery to 52 schools.
On Point works to not only prevent risky teen behaviors, but to help young people succeed.
Riggs new adviser at financial group
Damon R. Riggs has been appointed as a financial adviser at the Chattanooga office of Riggs & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. His office is at 1206 Pointe Centre Drive, suite 140.
After serving the last four years as the managing partner for the business and providing support to other advisers, he will advise clients himself. Prior to joining Riggs & Associates, Riggs was an engineering consultant for 22 years.
Elsea earns NAEA certification
Don P. Elsea of the Financial Management Network has earned the Fellow designation from the National Association of Enrolled Agents for completing all three levels of the National Tax Practice Institute. Enrolled agents are the only taxpayer representatives licensed to practice by the U.S. government.
Elsea is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the Tennessee Society of Enrolled Agents. He is a board member for the Tennessee Society of Enrolled Agents and the Tennessee chapter of the National Association of Tax Professionals.