EMJ names Williams, welcomes Brewer
EMJ Construction announces the promotion of James Williams to director of construction and welcomes Jeff Brewer as a national account executive.
- Brewer focuses on identifying and pursuing new opportunities to expand EMJ’s portfolios, build new client relationships and spread awareness of EMJ’s C2C, or Concept-to-Completion, approach to construction.
He has nearly 30 years of experience in sales and marketing within the development, real estate and insurance industries. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Appalachian State University and completed Stanford University’s executive program in mergers and acquisitions.
“Jeff is an excellent addition to our business development team,” said Hal Routh, vice president of business development. “He brings a wealth of knowledge from a client’s perspective and has innovative ideas that align with our mission to deliver an exceptional client experience.”
- In his new role, Williams will assist in directing the construction activities of the Chattanooga office and provide leadership, confidence and resources to project teams. He also will assist project managers in decision making that impacts potential issues and outcomes of projects.
“James is a solid leader,” said Jack Bowen, senior vice president of construction. “He has a strong sense of character and work ethic and is respected by the team. We are pleased to see him take on this new role and excited to see his continued growth and leadership in the Chattanooga office.”
Williams joined EMJ in 2007. He has 18 years of construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During his time at EMJ, he has received the EMJ Safety Chain Award and the National Engineering Achievement Award. Two of his projects earned Building Recognition in Chattanooga (BRIC) Awards for Collaborative Building.
Since 1968, EMJ Corp. and its family of companies have delivered more than $12.6 billion in construction volume in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Chattanooga business owner speaking at world conference
Vincent Ivan Phipps, owner of Communication VIP Training and Coaching, has been selected to speak at the world’s largest human resource conference.
SHRM, Society of Human Resource Management, is designed to address corporate and organizational challenges as they relate to: personnel, development, diversity and talent acquisition. This convention is expected to draw about 11,000 attendees from 50 states and 16 foreign countries.
His topic, “How to Teach an Old Pro New Tricks,” addresses how to improve interpersonal communication between today’s three most prominent generations currently in the workforce including: Baby Boomers, Gen-X and Millennials.
Phipps was honored by the National Speaker’s Association with their highest earned distinction in the industry of professional speaking. This award is called the CSP, Certified Speaking Professional. Only 13 percent of the world’s best speakers and trainers have qualified for this level of professional achievement. Phipps is the first person in Chattanooga to ever receive this professional speaking certification.
Parkridge names Morrow as ACNO
Parkridge Medical Center has named Diana Morrow, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, as assistant chief nursing officer (ACNO).
Morrow comes to Parkridge Medical Center from Nashville, where she served as ACNO at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, a 126-bed HCA sister facility. During her more than 20-year career in health care, she has gained extensive administrative and patient care experience, holding leadership roles in medical/surgical services, critical care, emergency/trauma, staff development and nursing administration.
“Diana brings a wealth of best practice, clinical and leadership experience to Parkridge Medical Center,” said Parkridge Health System chief nursing executive Deborah Deal.
Morrow earned her associates degree in nursing from Hinds Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and a Master of Science in nursing from Old Dominion University. She received board certification as a nurse executive advanced and is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives and Sigma Theta Tau International.
Her personal interests include watching football and Nashville Predators hockey, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
“The Parkridge Medical Center staff and physicians provide exceptional care to the Chattanooga community, and I am looking forward to being a part of the team,” Morrow said.
Leadership group establishes Baumgardner Award
The Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association presented the inaugural Julie Baumgardner Leadership Award in conjunction with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.
Julie Baum- gardner, president and CEO of First Things First, is the first recipient of this award named in her honor. Baumgardner has chaired Leadership Chattanooga’s curriculum committee for more than 15 years, impacting more than 500 Leadership Chattanooga participants.
“When I became director of Leadership Chattanooga, I realized the curriculum needed updating,” said Diane Parks, director of leadership and community development.
“When I approached Julie, she enthusiastically accepted the position as head of the curriculum committee. So many graduates have served on the committee over the years, and Julie challenges us to take it to the next level with more leadership skills training and a focus on today’s hot topics.”
The Julie Baumgardner Leadership Award is the highest honor awarded by the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association, presented annually to an individual or organization with a compelling record of leadership and service in the community, who has made specific contributions to Leadership Chattanooga.
In addition to this honor, Baumgardner also is being honored June 7 as the 2017 Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year.
Pinnacle adds two advisers in Cleveland
Brenda Lowe and Mitzi Duggan have joined Pinnacle Financial Partners. They are based at the firm’s Cleveland, Tenn., office located on 10 Church St.
- Lowe brings more than 39 years of mortgage and financial services experience to her role of senior vice president and mortgage advisor. She most recently comes from Athens Federal Community Bank, where she served as a vice president with responsibility for mortgage, consumer and commercial lending. Prior roles include serving in mortgage loan officer positions for Branch Banking and Trust Co., Citizens National Bank and First Citizens Bank.
- Duggan, with 12 years of experience, joins Pinnacle as a client service adviser. She comes from FSG Bank, NA, where she was a lending portfolio specialist. Previously, Duggan was with OneMain Financial (CitiFinancial), where her roles included branch manager and senior branch account executive.
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