Business Digest: Harrison added to LDA Engineering management

photo Mark Harrison

Harrison added to LDA management

LDA Engineering has announced the hiring of Mark Harrison, P.E., P.G., as client service manager to provide engineering project management and client services to the Chattanooga area.

"Mark is a great addition to the LDA Engineering team in Chattanooga," said Jason Brooks, president and CEO of LDA Engineering. "His experience working in Hamilton County, coupled with his passion and expertise in the industry, will ensure that our clients receive the best solutions and customer service."

Harrison will be involved in research, design, documentation and additional engineering project work for clients in Chattanooga. He has more than 18 years of experience in infrastructure engineering, including his most recent position as the chief engineer for the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority, and he earned a master's degree in environmental engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2001.


photo Richard Johnson

Johnson heads WTCI project

Richard Johnson has been named vice president of development at WTCI. Johnson came to WTCI from Virginia College School of Business and Health where he managed career services and marketing and development.

As vice president of development, he will guide WTCI through a development campaign that will position the PBS station to better serve its 24-county region, using his experience in building business by helping clients identify regional trends and applying them to marketing strategies and promotions.

"As the community's storyteller, WTCI shares the messages of some of the organizations that most powerfully impact the lives of Chattanoogans and we are looking forward to the partnerships and relationships that Richard will develop," said Paul Grove, WTCI's president and CEO.

A Leadership Chattanooga and Holmberg Leadership Institute graduate, Johnson is a current board member of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Chattanooga Rotary Club. He also serves on the Southeast Tennessee Development District's board and is president of the Erlanger Health Systems Pleiades Board. An adjunct faculty member at Virginia College and Chattanooga State Community College, Johnson has an undergraduate degree from UTC in communications and an MBA from Bryan College.


photo Beverlee Bartley

Bartley returns to LBMC

Beverlee Bartley has been named business development manager for Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC).

Bartley was previously with LBMC Employment Partners, LLC where she served as a business developer for five years. Her experience includes operational management, compliance, leadership, human resources and her passion for long term partnership building.

"LBMC has had a tremendous year of growth as we continue to focus on our clients' needs in this ever-changing economy," said Dennis Blanton, LBMC managing partner. "Beverlee has in-depth knowledge of LBMC from her previous time here. Also, as a Chattanooga native, she has a solid understanding of the Tennessee business environment and strong relationships in the community. It's great to welcome her back to LBMC, and I know she will be instrumental in our continued growth in the years to come."

Bartley is involved with several organizations and initiatives including non-profit organizations: American Cancer Society, Komen Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer, Women's Leadership Institute (CWLI) and the CWLI Women Mentoring Women Committee. She also serves on the Star Night Sponsorship Committee supporting Siskin Children's Institute and Dinner of Firsts supporting Chattanooga State Community College. She is a member of the Chattanooga Medical Group Management Association (CMGMA), Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association (CRMA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves as a board member of the Chattanooga Chamber Downtown Council.

Bartley received her bachelor's degree in organizational management from Covenant College and her associate's degree from Cleveland State Community College.


photo Scott Manning

Santander adds industry veterans

photo Sondra Pelham

Santander Bank, N.A. has added industry veteran Charlie Shepherd, formerly of Chattanooga, to its commercial equipment and vehicle finance (CEVF) division.

Prior to joining Santander, Shepherd was a senior manager at AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah and a territory manager for AAA National in Heathrow, Fla. He has more than 25 years of experience in the towing and recovery industry.

With 15 years of related experience, Scott Manning has served in a variety of roles in the retail and dealer ends of the industry, most recently as general manager for Marine Max in Chattanooga.

As a Santander CEVF business development officer, Sondra Pelham will work closely with contractors and distributors in select Southeast markets to provide customized financing solutions designed to expand their fleets and help their businesses grow. Pelham has more than 14 years of experience in the towing and recovery business. She joins Santander from Lee-Smith, Inc., in Chattanooga where she was the fleet sales product manager.


16 clinicians earn BenchMark certificates

Sixteen BenchMark clinicians have received certification for their advanced expertise in orthopedics and hand therapy.

Locally, Leanne Carbone at the Highway 58 clinic and Katie Sohler at the Citico Ave. clinic earned board certification as an Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS). Other top therapists earning their advanced certifications include:

In April 2014, BenchMark's in-house orthopaedic physical therapy residency program received accreditation by the APTA as a post-professional residency program.

"We felt very strongly about creating our own in-house residency program because we believe in developing highly advanced clinicians," said Derek Clewley, director of the BenchMark Rehab Partners Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program.


photo Brandon Davidoff

Davidoff joins Claris Networks

Brandon Davidoff joins Claris Networks as a tier 1 systems administrator.

Davidoff previously worked for EPB and will be based in Chattanooga.


photo Kevin Connolly

Local Allstate agencies receive designation

photo Amie Landrus
photo Ryan Taylor

As business leaders and involved citizens in the Chattanooga area, Allstate exclusive agency owners Kevin Connolly, Amie Landrus and Ryan Taylor have been designated as Allstate Premier Agencies for 2014.

The Allstate Premier Agency designation is bestowed upon fewer than 48 percent of Allstate's nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. This designation is being presented to select Allstate agency owners for their outstanding performance and commitment to putting customers at the center of their agency's work. The Premier Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience and in achieving outstanding business results.


Southern Advertising adds Ortwein and Allen

Butch Ortwein and Bradley Allen have joined Southern Advertising and Sign Service. Ortwein, whose responsibilities include estimating and purchasing, has over 40 years experience in the sign industry as a business owner and brings with him a wealth of knowledge to the sign industry. Bradley Allen joins the firm as a senior account executive in the sales department and has 30 years of business ownership and sales experience.

"These two important positions round out our company with the best talent in the Chattanooga area," said Steve Taylor, general manager of Southern Advertising.

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