Three promoted to EMJ managers
EMJ Corp. recently announced three promotions.
– Chas Torrence has been named senior vice president of EMJ subsidiary Accent Construction Services.
In his new role, he will provide day-to-day leadership and management of the Accent team. With 15 years of construction experience in a variety of roles including estimator, project manager and construction manager, he joined Accent in 2013 as a construction manager. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president. Torrence was recently recognized as a member of International Council of Shopping Center’s CenterBuild Conference’s 2016 “20 Under 40.”
– Holly Bischoff has been named vice president of finance and accounting at EMJ.
She will collaborate with executive leadership on key business and operational initiatives while focusing on the corporation’s strategic financial vision. She will drive standardization of financial policies and reporting across the family of companies, assist in exploring new ventures and implement financial models to ensure continued success for the corporation.
She began serving as EMJ’s controller in 2004 and has managed accounting operations for the family of companies for 13 years. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Oregon.
– Jack Bowen has been named senior vice president of EMJ Construction.
He will oversee all construction activities managed by the Chattanooga office and provide leadership to the entire Chattanooga-based construction team.
With more than 21 years of industry experience, Bowen began working at EMJ in 2005 as an assistant superintendent. He later became director of construction. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president of construction. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, his construction experience includes retail developments, industrial facilities, office buildings, hospitality projects, health care and educational facilities – including some of the largest jobs completed by EMJ.
Dowlen, Caldwell join Todd Henon Properties
Realtors Christina Dowlen and Clay Caldwell have joined Todd Henon Properties at Keller Williams Realty as buyer specialists.
– Originally from Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dowlen is a graduate of Tennessee Tech and lives on Signal Mountain. She is active in Northshore Fellowship Church, leads a Young Life group of local college women, and serves on the board for the Chattanooga Girls Cotillion Club.
– Caldwell holds a bachelor’s degree in consumer sciences from the University of Alabama. He returned to Chattanooga after several years of working in Dallas.
Tompkins is account manager at Derryberry
Derryberry Public Relations has added Kelsey Tompkins as an account manager. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in communications and minor in business administration, Tompkins will be on point for the management of client social media platforms, marketing and creative collaterals.
Tompkins comes to Derryberry PR from 3H Group Hotels, where she managed the group’s multiple social media platforms and created advertising and marketing materials. Tompkins is a member of the Red Shoe Society that supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“Her ability to manage multiple social media platforms and multi-task for a number of brands makes her a perfect fit for a team that thrives on a diverse mix of clients,” said Derryberry PR partner Andy Derryberry.
Barry joins law firm of Spicer Rudstrom
Spicer Rudstrom PLLC has added John D. Barry to its Chattanooga office.
Barry has nearly 40 years of legal experience in tort, contracts, products liability, insurance and casualty defense. He will serve in an of counsel role.
“John is an accomplished civil litigator who has been working with nationally known insurance carriers for several decades on cases involving fire and arson issues, bad faith claims, construction disputes, commercial and residential premises liability and uninsured motorist actions, among others,” said Thomas E. LeQuire, managing member of Spicer Rudstrom’s Chattanooga office.
Most recently, Barry was the principal of Milligan-Barry, where he was named partner in 1983. He has also practiced at what was then Milligan, Hooper and Harris. He is a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association Fee Dispute Resolution Committee and the Chattanooga Military Lawyers Association. John has been a frequent lecturer and speaker for organizations like the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, National Business Institute and the Tennessee Court Reporters Association. He also served as an adjunct professor of law at Embry-Riddle University.
He earned his J.D. degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and graduated in the top 10 percent from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Ricks named to head Life Care of Athens
Jeffrey Ricks has been named executive director of the Life Care Center in Athens, Tenn.
Ricks has been serving as administrator in training at the skilled nursing and rehab facility for the past year and succeeds Robert Hubbartt, who is transitioning to lead the new Life Care Center of East Ridge.
Before coming to Life Care Center of Athens, Ricks served as a physical therapist assistant at Life Care Center of Ooltewah.
“With his background in therapy and completing his AIT under Rob, he is going to be a great addition to the incredible team at Athens,” said Renee Tutor, vice president of Life Care Centers of America’s Cumberland Region. “He is energetic and has great ideas to push the facility forward.”
Originally from Collegedale, Ricks earned an associate’s degree in physical therapy from Chattanooga State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.
Dr. Cleinman joins CHI Memorial Group
Alycia Cleinman, M.D., has joined the CHI Memorial Center for Healthy Aging.
Dr. Cleinman earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in the West Indies. She completed an internal medicine internship and residency and geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. She served as an assistant professor in the division of geriatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for four years before moving to Chattanooga to join the CHI Memorial Medical Group.
Dr. Cleinman is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
“It is common for people to face more health issues as they age,” said Glyn Hughes, president, Mountain Management. “Dr. Cleinman’s expertise in treating and managing the health concerns of aging adults will ensure they receive the comprehensive care to manage their health care needs so they can maintain an active, vibrant life.”
Casey joins LEO Events as production manager
Justin Casey has joined LEO Events as a production manager, where he’ll oversee live outdoor events.
Casey, a native of Chattanooga, started out as a local promoter for small club shows and then moved into production as an audio engineer before finding his passion in lighting and production management.
He specializes in corporate and live events. He has additional experience as a touring production designer for events like festivals at sea as well as with the rock band “moe.”
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