LBMC promotes five to senior managers
LBMC, one of the Southeast's largest accounting and business consulting firms, has promoted five staff members to senior management positions at its Chattanooga office.
These appointments reinforce LBMC's strategic initiatives centered on client service and company growth.
- Christina Edwards has been named senior manager in the audit department. She joined LBMC in 2005 and has more than 12 years of experience providing assurance and advisory services to closely held businesses.
- Joyce Ann Williams has been named manager in the tax department. Williams first joined LBMC as a tax intern in 2012 before going full time in tax services. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
- Kori Botting has been named senior in the audit department. She joined LBMC in 2016 after completing an audit internship with TVA in the financial operations and performance department. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
- Kim Pace has been named senior in the audit department. Pace joined LBMC in 2016 after completing an internship with Rock Creek Consulting.
- Lauren Hawk has been named senior in the tax department. Hawk joined LBMC in 2015 after working as a tax staff accountant at Henderson and Gouger PLLC. A native to Nashville, she is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
"We are experiencing vibrant growth in the Chattanooga market, and we're fortunate to have this group of emerging leaders as part of our growing team of experts," said Dennis Blanton, Chattanooga market leader for LBMC. LBMC is a Solutions Leader in accounting, tax, audit, consulting and advisory services, human resources, staffing, investing and technology.
Downs to head local sales for Sinclair TV stations
Sinclair Broadcast Group of Chattanooga has hired Bill Downs as director of sales.
Downs, who previously worked for 10 years with WDEF as general sales manager, is leading a team of integrated marketing consultants for the local ABC, FOX, The CW, MyNetwork TV and Me TV affiliations, as well as digital growth in the market for the group.
"Bill is well respected in the market," said Mike Costa, general manager for SBG Chattanooga. "He knows the business and the evolutionary changes happening as digital grows."
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country with 173 television stations in 81 markets.
BlueCross names Wicks to lead shared services
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Dave Wicks to director of shared services for commercial operations.
Wicks will have oversight for business solutions and document management teams. He will also direct departments responsible for claims system testing, developing online help services, automation initiatives and vendor contract management.
"Dave's progressive experience in BlueCross operations and business engineering gives him the background to lead the shared services teams which are tasked with ensuring our customer service employees can quickly and accurately serve our members," said Maria Darras, vice president of BlueCross commercial operations.
Wicks joined BlueCross in 1994. He was most recently manager of business solutions for BlueCard services, a national program that enables members of one Blue Plan to obtain health care services while traveling or living in another Blue Plan's service area.
He earned an industrial engineering degree from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Zebrowski to manage CPR LifeWrap LLC
Lauren Zebrowski has joined CPR LifeWrap, LLC as operations manager.
Zebrowski is a recent graduate from Southern Adventist University School of Business where she was the top senor in Entrepreneurship and was also involved in the Enactus Program.
Hixon named head at Garden Plaza
Brenda Hixon has been named executive director for the Garden Plaza at Cleveland, an independent living, assisted living and retirement villa community.
Hixon most recently served as executive director for The Terrace at Mountain Creek in Chattanooga for six years. Prior to that appointment, she was a regional administrator with Morning Pointe. She also has experience in home health care and is a registered nurse.
"Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Cleveland community," said Rebecca Sturtz, regional director of operations for Garden Plaza's parent company, Century Park Associates.
Hixon earned a nursing degree from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, and a degree in health care administration from Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, Tennessee.
With headquarters in Cleveland, Century Park Associates manages more than 40 senior living communities in 20 states.
Brandt heads development for Habitat in Chattanooga
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area has promoted Dominique Brandt to development director.
Brandt joined Habitat for Humanity in Chattanooga four years ago as the director of volunteers and special events. Prior to relocating to Chattanooga, she worked for more than five years at Habitat for Humanity in Miami, Florida.
In her new role, Brandt will be responsible for cultivating corporate partnerships, developing and executing fund development programs, and collaborating with the board of directors on developing relationships with new supporters.
"Dominique's aptitude, expertise, and contributions have been invaluable to our organization over the past four years," said David Butler, president \of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area.
BlueCross names Sims to lead audit role
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has appointed Robbie Sims to the role of vice president and chief audit executive.
Sims will lead the corporate audit services division, which develops and administers internal audit and claims payment integrity to ensure operational effectiveness and efficiency, financial reporting reliability, and legal and regulatory compliance.
Part of the BlueCross finance team for more than 10 years, Sims has held several management positions within the audit division, most recently serving as director of internal audit.
During his time with the company, Sims has been instrumental in implementing a high-performance risk-based internal audit function which has been recognized by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association for exemplary strategies, techniques and practices.
"Under Robbie's management, the internal audit team has established strong partnerships and effective processes throughout the company," said John Giblin, chief financial officer for BlueCross.
Sims earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Jacksonville State University. He is a certified public accountant, a chartered global management accountant and a certified internal auditor. He's a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Rethorn earns PT certification
Chattanooga physical therapist Zachary Rethorn has been certified as a clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Dr. Rethorn specializes in the identification and treatment of orthopaedic conditions across the lifespan from children to older adults.
"Becoming a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy demonstrates my commitment to pursuing the highest level of skill with which to best serve my patients," Dr. Rethorn said.
Dr. Rethorn graduated in 2015 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a doctor of physical therapy degree. He is a physical therapist at BenchMark Physical Therapy in Chattanooga, an outpatient physical therapy provider. He is also a doctor of science student in health promotion at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah.
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