HHM hires senior managers, accountant
HHM CPAs, Chattanooga’s largest locally owned CPA firm, has hired one staff accountant and two senior managers.
Senior managers John Eaves and Britany Foley and staff accountant Amber Mueller will serve on the tax and audit team. These new team members bring more than 25 years of experience to the firm.
“We hire professionals who add quality expertise and unique skills to HHM’s team,” said Donnie Hutcherson, managing partner. “We can confidently say that these new team members strengthen our team and our ability to offer exemplary service to our clients.”
Prior to HHM, Eaves worked for a Fortune 500 company for six years, where he was the director of the international audit department. Foley has more than a decade of experience with Big 4 accounting firm Deloitte Tax where she led the private wealth practice for the Memphis office.
Knauss in Aviation Hall of Fame
The Experimental Aircraft Association has inducted Chattanoogan Tracy Knauss into the EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame.
Knauss is a photographer, hang glider and former publisher of Glider Rider magazine. The EAA Hall of Fame was established to honor the outstanding achievements of men and women in aviation who share the spirit of EAA and its community. Inductees are selected by their peers for contributions made to their respective areas of aviation.
EAA’s 200,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft.
Laurer is manager at Inova Payroll
Inova Payroll has named Lisa Laurer a client services manager to lead a group of specialists focused on customer service and client satisfaction.
She will manage the entire team of client service representatives at the Chattanooga-based office, which is home to 25 employees and a full operations center, including on-site payroll tax experts, implementation specialists, human resource professionals and information technology support.
“We are very pleased to have Lisa on our team,” said Kim Peco, FPC, director of payroll operations. “One of the unique things about our company is that every client has designated support staff who really understand and know their business. Lisa’s past experience and focus on exceeding customers’ expectations makes her a great fit for us and our clients, locally and across the Southeast.”
Laurer worked for seven years as a Canadian payroll analyst at Mars Petcare in Franklin, Tenn. Her career experience also includes management positions at Paysystems and LBMC Employment Partners. Laurer obtained certified payroll professional designation in 2001 from the American Payroll Association and has attended the American Payroll Association Congress multiple years.
Bosshardt heads Bright camp
The Bright School has named Mary Alayne Bosshardt director of its summer camp and Extended Care programs.
Bosshardt, who is currently a kindergarten classroom assistant, joined The Bright School faculty this year. She earned a degree in forestry and natural resources, natural resource recreation and tourism from the University of Georgia, and she has certifications in three programs related to outdoor curriculum, including Project Learning Tree, Project Wet and Project Wild.
The school’s summer program is completely new for 2017 and renamed Bright Days. It’s a summer program for early learners that combines daily enrichment experiences with fun activities, many outside. A typical day will include morning ceremonies, outside nature exploration, a visit to the school library, camp songs, outdoor team games, art projects, bonding with camp counselors and fellow campers, and closing ceremonies with yoga.
Wacker’s Plecas wins PR award
Amanda Plecas, communications and government relations manager for Wacker in Charleston, Tenn., was recognized with an honorable mention for PR News’ “PR Professional of the Year” in the corporate category of this year’s PR People Awards. Each year, the PR People Awards celebrate standout professionals and top influencers making waves in public relations, crisis management, media relations, social media and beyond.
Honored in a Dec. 6 ceremony in Washington D.C., Plecas joined six other industry leaders in the “PR Professional of the Year” category from corporations, including Elizabeth Arden, Bank of America, Aflac, T-Mobile, Carnival Cruise Line and Pepperjam.
Each honoree was recognized for his or her innovation and passion for making a difference in the field of public relations. Plecas was recognized in particular for her professional achievements, leadership qualities, creativity, sound judgment, flexibility, volunteer efforts and expert application of public relations tenants.
Plecas joined the team at Wacker’s Charleston site in 2011 and is active in education and economic development in the Bradley County area, serving on many local boards and as an adjunct communications professor at Lee University.
EMJ VPs in ICSC ’20 Under 40′
During the International Council of Shopping Center’s (ICSC) CenterBuild conference, EMJ Corp. vice presidents Neil Pratt and Chas Torrence were recipients of 2016’s ICSC “20 Under 40” awards.
Each year, ICSC recognizes 20 members of the construction, engineering and architectural industries from across the continent who exhibit strong leadership, community involvement and innovation in their realm.
“We have often said that our greatest resource is our people,” said Burt Odom, president and CEO of EMJ Corp. “We are proud of Neil and Chas, along with every member of their teams, for being recognized as leaders across our industry.”
Pratt, executive vice president of EMJ’s Boston office, has nearly 15 years of construction experience and has been with the corporation since 2003. He helped establish Accent Construction Services, EMJ’s small projects and strategic construction services division, where he served for eight years, before promotion to his current role.
Torrence is vice president of Accent Construction Services. He has nearly 15 years of construction experience in a variety of roles, including estimator, project manager and construction manager.
Winton is BCBS chief officer
Dakasha Winton has been promoted by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to the newly created position of chief government relations officer. Winton will assume responsibilities previously held by Calvin Anderson, who will retire in January.
Winton is responsible for leading all government relations efforts for BlueCross and supervising government relations staff in Nashville and Washington, D.C. The government relations teams supply information to regulators and legislators, monitor legislation that could affect BlueCross members, and advocate for policies that promote access and affordability in health care.
Before joining BlueCross in 2009, she was chief counsel for Insurance, Securities and TennCare oversight divisions of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Winton graduated cum laude from Tennessee State University and earned her law degree from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Associations, the Tennessee Lobbyists Association and the American Health Lawyers Association.
In 2010, she was named a fellow of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), and she actively participates in legislative and regulatory work groups for AHIP and the BlueCross BlueShield Association.
Poore, Aftung join U.S. Xpress
Adam Poore is U.S. Xpress Inc.’s new director of Fleet Operations for its Solo SBU. Poore holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, and a master’s in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.
Prior to his employment at U.S. Xpress, Poore served as a fleet manager and in other management capacities. At U.S. Xpress, he will be responsible for drivers and administrative employees; this includes assets from the company’s solo and regional SBU. In conjunction with this, he will focus efforts on improving driver retention and increasing revenue through improved utility.
U.S. Xpress, also announced that Greg Aftung is the new director of dedicated operations. He has been employed in the transportation industry six years and has worked in operations, specifically driver orientation and driver training.
In his new role, he will ensure the company delivers superior service to customers in his book of business, as well as ensure the profitable operation of teams servicing those customers.
Send business information to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.