Bullard named CEO for Siskin Institute
Derek Bullard, formerly chief executive of Access Family Services in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been selected as president and chief executive officer for Siskin Children’s Institute, effective Aug. 13.
Through his efforts, Access Family Services achieved the highest national accreditation with The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities for six years.
He is currently the chief executive officer of Already Homecare, a company that provides non-medical home care services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in seven counties throughout South Carolina.
“Derek Bullard has a passion for serving children and families with mental illness and developmental disabilities,” said Paul Loftin, chairman of the board of directors for the Mose and Garrison Siskin Foundation.
Bullard has over 20 years experience helping children with disabilities in several roles – CEO, therapeutic foster parent, and as a community advocate.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of Siskin Children’s Institute and its legacy of serving children and families with special needs,” Bullard said. “Chattanooga is such a welcoming city, and we are excited to join this thriving community. “
Bullard holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey.
Pinnacle adds advisors in Chattanooga bank
Pinnacle Financial Partners has hired four financial services professionals for its Chattanooga client services team.
Michael Cooper and Robert Emmons have joined the firm as senior vice presidents and financial advisors. Suzanne Dent has joined the Shallowford Road office as a vice president and client services advisor, and Katelyn Ragsdale is a financial specialist at Pinnacle’s Broad Street office.
“Mike, Robert, Suzanne and Katelyn are key to our future growth in the Chattanooga area as we continue to build in-depth relationships with our clients,” said Ryan Murphy, area manager for Pinnacle’s client services group. “Their financial expertise and track record of providing superior client service is a winning combination for clients and the community.”
Cooper brings 28 years of financial services experience and most recently comes from SunTrust Bank, where he spent 12 years as a commercial relationship manager. He is a graduate of Davidson College and serves on the board of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, where he chairs the finance committee and serves on the executive committee. He is a past board member of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and a former member of the Trust for Public Land’s Chattanooga Leadership Council, working with private landowners and public entities to assemble land for the creation of public parks such as the Tennessee Riverwalk. Cooper is based at the Broad Street office.
Emmons has 38 years of experience and comes to the firm from Synovus Bank (Cohutta Banking Company), where he was retail market manager. Previously, he was at Regions Bank (AmSouth Bank), where he was a branch manager. Emmons is a graduate of Georgia Southern College, where he studied criminal justice. He is based at the firm’s Shallowford Road office.
Dent, with 23 years of financial services experience, comes to Pinnacle from Synovus Bank (Cohutta Banking Company), where she was a lead relationship banker. Prior to Synovus, she was an assistant branch manager for AmSouth Bank. Dent attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College.
Ragsdale comes to Pinnacle from SunTrust Bank, where she spent five years as a teller. She attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
First Tennessee names Frost to advisory board
Chattanooga accountant Jonathan D. Frost has joined the local advisory board for First Tennessee Bank.
Frost founded his own certified public accounting firm J.D. Frost & Company, PLLC in 2012. In addition, he is a partner of CORE Fit Pros, LLC, Revive Chattanooga, O’Brien Tax Service, Oasis Residential, Naked River Brewing Company and Chestnut Holdings, LLC.
His professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Association of General Contractors, Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga, Mechanical Contractors Association, Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association and Real Estate and Construction CPAs.
Frost was most recently named to Chatter magazine’s Top 20 Under 40. He also serves on the boards of the Mountain City Club, UTC College of Business, Presbyterian Day School, Mountain Education Fund, the Golf Board of McLemore Resort and Erlanger Children’s Hospital Council. He is a member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga Downtown Rotary Club, Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, The Honors Golf Club and, Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club.
Business News is published each Sunday. Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.