Graves, Nesson join Women’s Fund board
The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga recently appointed Autumn Graves and Cynthia Nesson to its board of directors to support the organization’s ongoing effort of creating greater opportunities in health, education and safety for the women and girls in the Chattanooga community.
Autumn Graves, a leader in the education sector, currently heads Girls Preparatory School. With a rhetoric and history degree from the University of Virginia, a masters degree in private school leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University; and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, Graves has held significant leadership roles at Mercersburg Academy (Pa.), Breck School (Minn.), Sidwell Friends (D.C.), Friends Seminary (N.Y.) and Girard College (Pa.).
Cynthia Nesson has extensive experience in health care administration and finance, working in renowned organizations within the Chattanooga and Atlanta region. She is also a strong advocate for the arts, most recently working with a fiber arts studio. She is passionate about issues that affect women and girls’ health and safety.
In addition to new members, the two long-time advocates and founding board members, Ann Coulter and Lorie Street Runge, have rejoined the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga Board as co-chairwomen.
LeBaron, McGee join Chattanoogan staff
The Chattanoogan hotel has hired Jen LeBaron as its spa manager and Jana McGee as the confidence planning manager.
LeBaron began her career in 2001 at The Spa at The Chattanoogan, where she was the spa coordinator and a massage therapist for eight years. She then worked for several regional and local spas, a nonprofit performing arts center and property management company.
LeBaron is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage and a magna cum laude graduate of Ashford University.
“I am thrilled to be back in Chattanooga, the place I call home, and to work with the talented team here,” she said.
The Spa at The Chattanoogan has four treatment rooms, a nail service room, couple’s suite, a steam room, fitness center and outdoor patio overlooking the hotel’s courtyard.
McGee joins The Chattanoogan after six years at the Sheraton Read House, where she served as assistant general manager, convention services manager and outlet manager. She also spent seven years as the manager of a Salisbury, N.C., restaurant where she managed the daily operations.
McGee attended The Art Institute of Charlotte and is a member of National Association of Professional Women and Lutheran Women’s Mission League.
“We are extremely pleased that Jana has joined the team at The Chattanoogan,” said Tom Cupo, regional managing director. “She knows the Chattanooga market very well and has extensive experience managing all aspects of successful meetings, conferences and events.”
McCormick affiliates with Decosimo
Gerald McCormick, a principal in the commercial real estate firm Stone Fort Properties, is now affiliated with the investment banking firm of Decosimo Corporate Finance, LLC. In addition to McCormick’s leadership with Stone Fort, he will assist Decosimo in sourcing and executing sell-side advisory engagements and debt and equity raises.
McCormick has more than 20 years of professional real estate experience stemming from his time as an industrial property appraiser at the Hamilton County Assessor of Property’s office.
Since 2004, he has served as the District 26 representative in the Tennessee State House and has been the House majority leader for the last six years. McCormick spent 12 years as a commercial real estate broker before forming his own company in 2009 – Stone Fort Properties – where he will continue to serve the needs of his clients.
“The breadth of Mr. McCormick’s experience and knowledge about all facets of the real estate and business markets will be valuable to DCF and its clients as we continue to provide much-needed investment banking services to the middle market,” said Tom Decosimo, managing principal at DCF.
Richmond to head Parkridge marketing
Parkridge Health System has named Agnes Richmond, MHS, system director of marketing.
Richmond, a healthcare marketer with more than 30 years of professional experience, will be developing and implementing the overall Parkridge marketing strategy.
Prior to her new role at Parkridge, Richmond was a health care marketing strategist for True North Custom. During her career, she has served as chief marketing officer for Hutcheson Medical Center, director of marketing for the Tanner Health System in Georgia, director of development for Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga., and director of marketing for Hamilton Health Care System in Dalton, Ga.
Richmond earned a master’s of health sciences degree from Georgia Southern University and her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina.
Bagli named sales vp at McKee Foods
Deris Bagli has been named vice president of sales for McKee Foods Corp.
Bagli has been the director of sales for a little over two years and joined the McKee Foods family more than 13 years ago with a position at Blue Planet Foods. Bagli started in the snack business as an independent distributor for Eagle Snacks in Southern California. Later, he was employed at Turnbull Bakeries and Custom Baking Co.
Bagli is responsible for all sales functions, including field sales, wholesale relations, retail relations, category insights, sales training and sales technology.
McKee Foods, a family bakery with annual sales of about $1.4 billion, is a privately held company based in Collegedale, Tenn.
King opens her own law firm
Katie King, former senior counsel and privacy officer for Electric Power Board of Chattanooga and past president of the Southeast Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women, has opened her own private law practice.
King is a lifelong Chattanoogan who grew up working at the family business – The Swim Center. She graduated from Vanderbilt University and Suffolk University Law School.
At EPB, King served as in-house counsel for over a decade, overseeing all aspects of the company’s legal business, including contract negotiation, litigation, regulatory compliance and managing outside counsel. Through her tenure, she gained unique experience as both a lawyer and a client, which King credits for making her a more client-focused attorney.
“EPB is proud to serve as a launching pad for entrepreneurs like Katie King,” said Greg Eaves, the chief financial officer for EPB.
Reilly named COO for CHI Memorial
CHI Memorial Health Care System has named Janelle G. Reilly as chief operating officer.
Reilly has more than 25 years of health care leadership experience with complex health systems in Michigan, Idaho and Illinois. She has a strong operations background in all aspects of acute care and long-term acute care hospitals, as well as senior leadership experience in strategy, growth, and merger and acquisition activity. She is passionate about transforming health care and committed to creating a sustainable model for future generations. She most recently served as the chief operating officer and chief strategy officer for Presence Health, Chicago.
Reilly earned a master’s degree in health administration at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.
“We are excited to welcome Janelle to our executive leadership team,” said Larry Schumacher, CEO, CHI Memorial Health Care System. “She will serve with us as a partner and advocate in building relationships with government, health care and outside entities to craft innovative strategies to integrate and enhance the care continuum across our health system, strengthening CHI Memorial’s brand as the regional adult acute care provider of choice.”
Legacy names Lockwood as broker
Legacy Real Estate & Development, LLC, has named Becky Lockwood as its residential managing broker. Lockwood will operate out of Legacy’s Cambridge Square office in Ooltewah, which she joined as an agent in the fall of 2015.
Prior to her affiliation with Legacy, Lockwood served five years as a residential affiliate broker with Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty’s Relocation Team, where she quickly established herself as a top-selling agent. Lockwood began her real estate career in 2006 with Re/Max Properties.
In addition to a successful real estate career, Lockwood has served in professional accounting and administration roles for area companies, including contractors and law firms. Her duties in this capacity included accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, billing, due diligence and research, and trial preparation.
Hospital Review recognizes Tabor
J. Britton Tabor, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Erlanger Health System, has been recognized as one of “150 Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review.
A leading health care publication, Becker’s Hospital Review featured financial leaders from the country’s prominent for-profit and nonprofit hospitals and health systems.
Tabor is a certified public accountant and fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He received his MBA from the University of Tennessee. Prior to Erlanger, Tabor was an auditor for Chattanooga-based accounting firm Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter, which has since joined Mauldin & Jenkins in Atlanta.
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