Business Digest: Protege program announces class

Protege program announces class

Protege Chattanooga, a team-based mentor program for emerging leaders, recently announced its first class of proteges and mentors.

The program is a collaboration between the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mentors include Ted Alling, co-founder and chief executive officer of Access America Transport; Julie Baumgardner, executive director of First Things First; Rose Decosimo, assurance principal at Decosimo; Harold DePriest, CEO of EPB; Craig Holley, CEO of CapitalMark Bank & Trust; Michael St. Charles, shareholder with Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel; and Michael Walden, president of Walden Security.

Proteges include Lynn Brown, SunTrust Bank; James Chapman, Southeast Tennessee Development District; Katie Ann Downs, TVA; Shannon Edmondson, Public Education Foundation; James Hobbs, Weill & Long, PLLC; Zach Hutcherson, Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough; Emily Job, Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain; and Danielle Rhones, EPB.


Propex picks Hunter Wallace

Propex Operating Co. LLC has promoted Hunter Wallace to the position of inside sales representative for the Fibermesh brand.

In his new position, he will be the dedicated contact for an expansive network of Ready Mix and Precast customers.

"We are focused on expanding our infrastructure solutions, which includes improving our customer support services for our Fibermesh partners," said Ralph Bruno, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Propex.


Kim Lawrence delivers keynote

Tax principal Kim Lawrence of Decosimo, a top 100 accounting and business advisory firm, will make the keynote address at the InfoSystems Technology Convergence Showcase on Aug. 28 at the Sheraton Read House.

Lawrence's presentation will be on "Why 2012 is the Best Year to Invest in Technology." It will educate business leaders and financial decision makers about expense deductions and tax planning options that can create tax savings and cash flow to help fund technology investments this year.


BlueCross names Steve Henderson

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has hired Steve Henderson as procurement director. In this role, Henderson will oversee centralized purchasing functions for the company.

"Steve's extensive background in procurement and supply chain management will be invaluable as we move toward a centralized procurement function," said Danny Timblin, vice president of strategy and execution for BlueCross.

Henderson has more than 25 years of experience in corporate services for a variety of industries, including health care, retail, banking and insurance. His background includes procurement and real estate, as well as facilities and contract management for Kmart Corp., California Federal Bank and Cushman & Wakefield.


Video Ideas Productions is 25

Video Ideas Productions Inc. has marked its 25th year. The doors to the company opened in July 1987 in a small retail space on Highway 58. It was equipped with a production truck that featured broadcast video cameras and a full edit suite for onsite editing.

Jerry Waddell and Martha Maples Knight met five years earlier at Olan Mills Portrait Studios. As the company and client list grew, Video Ideas moved to Riverfront Parkway.

"Anyone can make a video nowadays, but it takes a talented staff to make an award winning production," Waddell said.

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