Grady Williams says that when he thinks about top Chattanooga CEOs such as Vicky Gregg, Zan Guerry and Tom Edd Wilson, he doesn't see himself in the same league.
"I don't stack up to those people," he said.
But Mr. Williams does indeed find himself linked with the trio and other key execs as he's the 2010 Chattanooga area manager of the year.
"It's a very humbling honor," said the former managing partner of CPA firm Hazlett Lewis & Bieter and a key organizer in the startup of CapitalMark Bank here.
Mr. Williams, now an affiliate with accounting firm Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain in Chattanooga, said the award's selectors told him the recognition is not just for running big companies.
"They said...it's for managing life, managing people, managing events," he said. "So then they made me stop and think a minute. Yes, I've done few things. I've been so blessed in getting to work and do things in the community."
Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey said Mr. Williams is highly deserving, citing his work in business and nonprofits.
"The community is indebted to Grady for his outstanding service," said Mr. Ramsey, who won the award in 2003.
Mr. Wilson, chief executive of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the 2006 winner, said Mr. Williams has brought "a sense of quiet dignity and leadership" to profit and nonprofit groups.
"He is one of those unique individuals who has truly made a difference," Mr. Wilson said.
Mr. Williams will be given the award during a June 2 luncheon at the Convention Center. The selection was made by members of the Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year organization.
Banking
Craig Holley, CEO of CapitalMark Bank, said when he started thinking about opening a Chattanooga bank, Mr. Williams was the first person he approached.
"Had Grady decided not to be involved, I probably wouldn't have organized the bank," Mr. Holley said.
Mr. Williams, who serves as the bank's independent lead director and audit committee chairman, said he learned something about the banking business during his 47 years at Hazlett Lewis & Bieter.
He said he wooed a couple of banking clients for the firm and later recruited some accountants from former "Big Five" accounting business Arthur Andersen with area expertise. Eventually, Mr. Williams said, Hazlett Lewis & Bieter expanded to handle 45 banking clients.
Mr. Williams, who grew up in the Sequatchie Valley, said he joined the accounting firm out of college in 1957, becoming a partner in 1968 and managing partner from 1977 to 1985. During that time the firm grew from about 30 employees to 90. He was named senior partner in 1990 before retiring and later joining Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain.
LBMC Managing Partner Steve Lewis said Mr. Williams is an effective manager.
"I have witnessed firsthand how Grady accepts and progresses with apparent ease through monumental projects, most of which provide him no personal financial gain," he said.
Mr. Williams said the accounting business has become more complicated over the years.
"There have been huge, huge changes in the profession," he said. "A CPA gets involved in so many other things such as business consulting and mergers and acquisitions."