Business Digest: Gossett joins Decosimo firm

Gossett joins Decosimo firm

photo Nicole Gossett

Decosimo has added Nicole Gossett as a valuation services manager with the advisory services practice group.

A certified valuation analyst, Ms. Gossett brings more than 10 years of experience to her new position, having performed valuation and litigation support services in the areas of financial reporting, healthcare regulations, family law, commercial litigation, economic damages and forensic accounting.

Gossett has specialized in healthcare and physician practice valuation services, consulting with hospital management and attorney teams in valuation engagements involving the preparation of complex physician compensation fair market value analyses. She also has experience in assisting legal counsel in addressing financial issues throughout the litigation process.

"Nicole is a tremendous addition to our team," said Shannon Farr, director of valuation services. "Nicole has a wide range of experience, and her expertise in the business valuations of hospitals, physician practices, clinics and home health providers will be particularly helpful as the firm continues to grow our healthcare practice."

Gossett earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State University and her certified valuation analyst certificate from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. She is currently pursuing the accredited senior appraisers designation in business valuation from the American Society of Appraisers.


Mike Pigg vice president of Legacy firm

photo Mike Pigg

Mike Pigg has been named vice president of finance and regional vice president of operations at Legacy Senior Services, LLC. Pigg previously served 14 years with another local healthcare network where he received his company's division support award and was promoted to the position of regional vice president.

"Serving seniors has been a driving force in Mike's career as a financial professional. His energetic leadership style and his vision for 21st century senior living communities make him a huge asset to the seven facilities in the Legacy Senior Services network," said Barry Ray, president.

A Cleveland native, Pigg is a graduate of Lee University where he received his bachelor's degree in accounting.


Sakich opens Signature Brokers

photo Gina Sakich

Gina Sakich has opened Signature Brokers located on Little Debbie Parkway in Ooltewah. The firm offers a state of the art experience for home buyers and sellers. Sakich is moving into territory she knows well and is being initially joined by Belinda Winslett and Jelena Butler. A top producing agent for 14 years, Winslett specializes in residential sales throughout Chattanooga. Butler, with over 12 years of experience, specializes in commercial property listings.

The team is also being joined by Kathryn Hill, a new agent focused on assisting buyers, as well as Cassie Bellipanni, who is serving as the firm's office manager.

"We are very excited about this new venture," said Sakich. "We're looking forward to what the future holds and can't wait to introduce the community to the team that will welcome them to Signature Brokers."


UTC business students honored

To be includedSend business digest news of promotions, new hires and honors to Wesley Holloway at wholloway@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6613.

Chambliss law firm recently honored the 2013-2014 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students at its annual Stophel Scholars reception. The reception offered the 10 award recipients the opportunity to meet and engage with members of Chattanooga's business community.

"We are humbled to be able to honor these hard-working, devoted students with recognition and introductions to some of our area's most engaged business leaders," said Tony Young, firm administrator of Chambliss.

The Stophel Scholars program aims to foster local talent and encourage promising students to build long-lasting mentor relationships with Chattanooga professionals. Award recipients are chosen based on strong leadership skills, self-motivating initiative, strong decision-making skills and communication skills.

This year's recipients include: Bradley Bell, Kayla DeLong, Kelsey Giddens, Saasha Jones, Scott Kramer, Sydney Lamb, Kate Linehart, Erin Mercer, Lynna Nguyen, and James Walpert.

"UTC is proud of these young men and women and appreciates the commitment Chambliss has made to recognize some of our outstanding business students," said Dr. Robert Dooley, Dean of UTC's College of Business. "This networking event gave the students a chance to talk with potential mentors and future employers."


Helms CPA adds to team

photo Shannon Whitley
photo Crystal Allen

Helms CPA, PLLC has announced the addition of two members to its team: Shannon Whitley joins the company as the office manager and Crystal Allen as an associate. Whitley and Allen credit Helms CPA's dedication to its clients as what drew them to the company which was voted favorite accountant/CPA in The Daily News Journal's Ruthie Awards.

Allen brings six years of tax-experience to her new role. She has worked with numerous small businesses throughout middle Tennessee since graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with an accounting degree. Allen specializes in bookkeeping and taxes for small businesses and their owners.


Women's seminar set for March 11

Betsy Gibson, a financial advisor for Raymond James, will be the featured speaker at a "Women and Money Seminar" from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 11 at The Mill, 1601 Gulf Street, Suite 100 in Chattanooga.

Gibson will talk about the financial challenges that are unique to women and offer six steps women can take to meet these challenges. More information is available at 510-8889.


Lindley best chef semi-finalist

Chef Daniel Lindley has been named a 2014 James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for Best Chef, Southeast, for his work at St. John's Restaurant. He joins 19 other chefs in the category. This is the third year Lindley has been named a semi-finalist.

The final chef award nominations will be announced on March 19. The 2014 James Beard Awards will be announced in May.


Bobbitt promoted at BancorpSouth

photo Charles L Bobbitt, Jr.

Charles L. Bobbitt Jr. has been promoted to assistant vice president in the credit department of BancorpSouth. He has been with BancorpSouth three years and is responsible for financial analysis and research of existing and prospective clients. He previously served as commercial underwriting officer.

A native of Chattanooga, Bobbitt graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. He also has completed many professional courses including Tennessee School of Banking at Vanderbilt, Moody's Financial Analysis and American Banker Association's Commercial Banking workshop.


TWH promotes Wayne Williams

photo Wayne Williams

TWH Architects has named Wayne Williams as partner. He joins partners Vance Travis, Phil Whitfield, and Trey Wheeler. Williams started at TWH in June 2007, and since then has served as project architect on Hixson and Red Bank Middle Schools.

He is currently completing the LEED certification documents on the Chattanooga WellAdvantage Center designed by TWH. Vance Travis, president of TWH said, "Wayne has demonstrated the design and managerial skills to bolster the firm's commitment to provide sustainable and quality design solutions while successfully controlling project cost."


Rittenberry named marketing VP

photo Jeanie Rittenberry

Jeanie Rittenberry has been named senior vice president and director of marketing at FirstBank. She will be responsible for marketing, training and communications.

Rittenberry will head up FirstBank's advertising, public relations, branding and social media campaigns, events and sponsorships, and internal communications. She will also lead FirstBank's training, professional growth and leadership development programs.

"Jeanie Rittenberry is a consummate professional who has the background and experience to help FirstBank grow across the state, both in our more established community markets as well as in our metro markets," FirstBank president and CEO Chris Holmes said.

She is a graduate of the University of Memphis and the Barret Graduate School of Banking.


Dumsday named firm partner

photo Justin Dumsday

River Street Architecture LLC is adding Justin Dumsday as a partner. He joins partners Terry Barker, Rob Fowler and Michael McGowan. Justin joined RSA in January 2013.


Shelton joins Claris Networks

photo Neal Shelton

Neal Shelton has been hired as a system administrator technician at Claris Networks. Neal will be serving at Claris's Chattanooga location.


Tennessee American hires 3 managers

photo Rosemary Carswell
photo Nicole Osborne
photo Daphne Kirksey

Tennessee American Water has added three new managers to its management team.

Rosemary Carswell is the new manager of engineering. She is a native of Chattanooga and a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, but she has worked most of her career in Florida and Georgia including for the city of Atlanta. She has been back in Chattanooga for nearly eight years and has worked mainly in the consulting field.

Carswell graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in civil engineering.

Nicole Osborne has been hired government and regulatory affairs manager. She came to Tennessee American Water from Washington, D.C., where she was an attorney at Meyers and Alterman Law and director of government affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

Daphne Kirksey is the new external affairs manager for the water utility. In this role, she will serve as the media relations contact and point person for community relations.

Kirksey previously served as district director for Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. She has over 12 years of experience working for publicly elected officials, having also served in the administration of former Governor Don Sundquist. Kirksey also worked with IOR Global Services as a consultant, assisting Volkswagen families settle in the Chattanooga community. She is a graduate of the University of Memphis.

Company president Deron Allen said said the new management hires "will help our team as Tennessee American Water continues to invest in infrastructure improvements which ensure the reliability and quality of water our customers expect."

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