BlueCross promotes Ball to head information security
Diane Ball has been promoted to vice president of information security for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. She will be responsible for leading the Information Security program across the health insurer.
Ball joined BlueCross last year after serving as chief information security officer and vice president of enterprise risk and security for Fujitsu America, Inc., in Durham, N.C.She has more than 20 years of security and privacy leadership experience at companies including BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Wachovia Bank, where she served as vice president and senior information security manager. Ball is a graduate of Pellissippi State Community College and Tusculum College.
“Information security continues to be a priority to businesses in an age where cyber-attacks are becoming ever more common,” said Nick Coussoule, senior vice president and chief information officer for BlueCross. “Diane’s strong background in security and privacy, experience across diverse global businesses with significant security challenges and excellent leadership skills make her a tremendous asset.”
PEF names Stone director of innovative learning
Public Education Foundation has selected Michael Stone as the organization’s director of innovative learning. Stone will lead PEF’s efforts to support teachers as they develop innovative strategies that inspire students and lead the regional STEM Hub at PEF. In addition to leading existing programs (including Teacherpreneur Incubator, Fund for Teachers, and STEM Teaching Fellows), Stone will develop new initiatives to capitalize on the interest in STEM, entrepreneurship, and innovation in area schools.
Stone earned a computer science degree from Bryan College and an master’s degree in instructional leadership from Tennessee Technological University. He recently served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation, where he worked to support NSF efforts to broaden the scope of rigorous computer science education in the nation. He is the author of Oh, That’s Education?, a book of observations from a decade in the classroom. He is currently chair of the American Society for Engineering Education K-12 division, and is a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association, National Science Teachers Association, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He was named a Walmart Regional Teacher of the Year in 2010.
Artwork Group adds franchise office in Cleveland
AtWork Group, a national staffing franchise, has expanded with a franchise location in Cleveland, Tenn.
“The Cleveland area shows signs of tremendous growth in light manufacturing, industrial, healthcare and construction. Our new franchise is primed to help accommodate area businesses meet these staffing demands,” said Jason Leverant, president and COO of AtWork Group.
AtWork Cleveland opened its doors in January and is overseen by Denise Clark, business development manager, and Tishauna Hoffman, recruitment coordinator.
Within the next two years, the business also plans to grow with Southeast Tennessee satellite locations in Loudon, Athens, Sweetwater and Chattanooga.
Barker earns Golden Zipper Award
Joanne Barker was presented with the Golden Zipper Award for her 50 years of service to Dunlap Industries. Barker was one of four original employees and original stockholder when Dunlap Industries Inc. was founded in 1966.
Throughout her years at Dunlap Industries, Barker performed multiple functions including office administrator, purchasing agent and corporate secretary to name a few. Her role in the company played a major role in the early success of Dunlap Industries.
“JoAnne’s career is one we can all admire and even more so as a woman starting off in a small town in the 1960s,” Robert Kwasnik, president of Dunlap Industries. “Regardless of the challenges, she soon became a vital member of the management team.”
Dunlap Industries is a leading American owned manufacturer and distributor of zippers, thread, hook and loop and related textile trim items.
Sanford joins board for First Tennessee
A familiar face is joining First Tennessee’s Chattanooga Advisory Board. Tennessee Aquarium President and CEO Keith Sanford was recently named to the board.
With more than 35 years of experience at First Tennessee, Sanford began his career as a management trainee and left the bank earlier this year after accepting the position with the Tennessee Aquarium.
Sanford is an active member of the community serving on a dozen different boards including the Chattanooga Rotary Club, the Tivoli Foundation, and the Hunter Museum of American Art.
BlueCross promotes Smith to operations director
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Patricia Smith to director of service operations for provider and inter-plan/BlueCard operations.
She will lead teams responsible for operational support and claims processing 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. Smith will oversee quality improvement and e-business as well as research, medical records and customer service for providers.
“Pat’s experience spans operational roles across several divisions of BlueCross,” said Maria Darras, vice president of BlueCross commercial operations. “Her leadership helps us provide exceptional service to members and providers.”
Smith joined BlueCross in 1993. She was most recently manager of quality assurance, process improvement and customer deliverables for commercial membership. She’s also worked in the BlueCare Tennessee division as manager of government Medicaid operations and supervisor/coordinator of claims quality.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in organizational management from Covenant College.
Tucker Foundation names Moore vice president
Bradley County native Amy Moore has been promoted to vice president of the Tucker Foundation. Moore came to the foundation in early 2013 as the Grants Administrator.
Moore has 25 years of experience in both the non-profit and local government arenas in both Bradley and Hamilton Counties. Moore was integral in developing and administering Bradley County’s Healthy Community Initiative, a grant program funded from the proceeds from the sale of Bradley Memorial Hospital.
Moore has been key in successfully transitioning the foundation from a paper based system to an online grants management system. The foundation recently completed the sixth grant cycle using the new system.
“Amy has been essential to implementing our web based system which receives grant requests, documents their disposition, and measures the impact of approved grants on the lives of people and conserved resources,” Foundation President Andrew Cope said.
The Tucker Foundation supports non-profit organizations that help develop character and skills for young people and organizations committed to conservation of essential elements of our natural environment forever.
BlueCross promotes Harris to vice president
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Ronald Harris to vice president of diversity and inclusion.
In this role, he is responsible for providing strategic leadership and counsel for diversity initiatives that include community outreach, supplier diversity, and creating and maintaining a work environment that reflects the diverse BlueCross workforce.
Throughout his 30 years of service at BlueCross, Harris has served in various management roles, including most recently corporate diversity director. Harris is co-founder of the nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Diversity Alliance.
“Not only have our diversity and inclusion efforts under Ron’s leadership helped us build a culture to attract and retain top talent, but they also are increasingly important as we respond to the needs of the changing demographics of our state,” said J.D. Hickey, president and chief executive officer for BlueCross.
Roberts relocates office to Ooltewah
Dr. Austin Roberts has relocated to 6107 Ooltewah Georgetown Road in Ooltewah where he is practicing family and implant dentistry.
Roberts is a third generation Chattanoogan and a McCallie School graduate. He attended the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.
His team is implementing some of the latest 3D technology.
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