Chattanoogan hotel promotes Marina, Dorr
The Chattanoogan hotel, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property, has named Robert Dorr as director of sales and marketing and Tanner Marino as its new executive chef.
– Dorr was most recently director of sales and marketing for The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, a mixed-use hotel and residential property in the tallest building in the state of Virginia. Dorr, who attended Paul Smith’s College in New York, has held sales leadership positions with Westin, Hilton, Sheraton and Dolce properties. Earlier in his career, he served as director of sales for Benchmark while the company restored the historic Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pa.
– Marino is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel’s three dining establishments, the Broad Street Grille, The Foundry and Stroud’s Sidewalk Cafe, as well as catered events and weddings.
Chef Marino developed his love of cooking as a teenager, preparing meals with his mother. For the past 12 years, he has worked as a professional chef, most recently as the banquet chef at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., a five-diamond and five-star property.
Along with The Chattanoogan’s F&B Director Anthony Frank, Marino has introduced new menus at the hotel’s Broad Street Grille and The Foundry that include dishes such as Springer Mountain chicken, Niman Ranch pork chop, Lobster mac and cheese, Faroe Island salmon and ribeye two ways.
Culver is chief risk officer at Blue Cross
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has selected Dennis Culver as vice president, treasurer and chief risk officer.
In this role, he will be responsible for the leadership and direction of corporate treasury activities. This includes cash planning and investments; budgeting and forecasting; strategic planning; risk management; procurement; and optimizing the organization’s capital structure.
Culver has been with BlueCross for more than 12 years. In his most recent role, he served as vice president and chief audit executive. During his tenure, Culver has played an instrumental role in providing assurance that company operations meet regulatory requirements and that BlueCross assets and financial information are protected.
“Dennis understands we can best serve our members when the company is fiscally strong,” said John Giblin, executive vice president and chief financial officer for BlueCross. “His leadership will guide financing and investments that help ensure the company’s success.”
Culver earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 1991. He is also a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor and a chartered global management accountant.
Tire Discounters chain expands to Huntsville
Tire Discounters, the nation’s eighth-largest independent tire retailer, will enter the Huntsville, Ala., market later this year, making Alabama the sixth state in the company’s geographical footprint.
The family-owned chain of more than 100 tire stores entered the Chattanooga market two years ago and is adding another store and remodeling five others this year in Cincinnati.
“We are excited to introduce ourselves to the Huntsville community as we continue our rapid expansion across all markets,” said Jamie Ward, president of Tire Discounters. “Having opened or remodeled 29 locations in the past three years, we’re eager to continue that momentum and bring our high levels of customer service to more and more customers.”
TPA awards Myers as top PT assistant
The Tennessee Physical Therapy Association awarded BenchMark Physical Therapy’s Keith Myers the Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year.
The award is given annually to the physical therapist assistant who has demonstrated commitment to the advancement of the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and the physical therapy profession and been recognized by his peers for extraordinary service to the TPTA.
Myers has worked for BenchMark Physical Therapy since 2001. In 2008, he began serving as a regional director. Today, he manages more than 20 Chattanooga and North Georgia physical therapy clinics.
He received his associate of applied science degree and a physical therapist assistant degree from Chattanooga State Community College in 2004. Later, he attended Bryan College to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 2010 and a master of business administration in 2012.
In 2016, Myers was a keynote speaker at the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability conference in New Orleans, where he presented his comprehensive program on safety, prevention and wellness. In 2013, BenchMark awarded him the Spirit of Service Award for his volunteer work throughout Chattanooga. In 2007, he was awarded Clinic Director of the Year. He served as legislative chair and in SIG chair roles with the TPTA. He has more than six years of industrial rehabilitation and wellness in manufacturing settings.
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