Business Digest: Chattanoga Food Bank names new managers

Chattanoga Food Bank names new managers

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank recently promoted Melanie Hammontree to director of development and hired Chris Payne as director of operations. Hammontree previously served as development officer for Northwest Georgia at the Food Bank, and Payne was plant manager for HP Pelzer in Athens, Tenn.

“We’re fortunate to have access to a deep bench of talent in our own backyard, here at the Food Bank with Melanie and from the manufacturing community with Chris,” said Food Bank President & CEO Gina Crumbliss. “Both bring years of experience from their fields to strengthen further our resources and our ability to serve our 20-county region in southeast Tennessee and northwest Georgia.”

Hammontree has 15 years of fundraising experience, seven of which have been spent in nonprofit organizations. Hammontree originally joined the Food Bank in September 2017 as development officer for northwest Georgia, during which she held responsibility for the nine Georgia counties served by the Food Bank. She was promoted in May 2019 to oversee development efforts for the Food Bank’s entire service area. Prior experience includes the Dalton Arts Project and Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo).

Payne joined the Food Bank in August 2019. His 30 years of materials and operational management expertise support the distribution of more than 15 million pounds of food annually across the Food Bank’s service area. Having previously worked in organizations with complex supply chain operations, Payne’s background offers best practices for even more quickly and efficiently connecting those facing hunger with the resources they need. Before joining the Food Bank, Payne was plant manager for HP Pelzer’s Athens, Tenn., Plant #8. He previously served in several roles at Woodbridge Foam increasing in responsibility over 15 years, including plant manager.

Robert Morris joins board of Cempa Community Care

Robert Morris, director of content and communications operations for TVA, has been appointed to the Cempa Community Care board of directors.

Morris has more than 25 years of experience in supply chain and operations management and previously helped the AIDS Action Coalition of North Alabama, the American Red Cross, and the Human Relations Commission with the city of Huntsville, Ala.

“We are delighted to have someone of Robert’s caliber join our Board of Directors,” said Shannon Stephenson, CEO of Cempa. “The goal of the Board is to support the overall mission of our organization, helping to guide our decisions and lead us to further growth. I have every confidence that Robert will provide valuable insight and play a key role in advancing our mission and moving our organization forward.”

James Gabbard joins Artech Design as designer, project manager

James Gabbard has joined Artech Design Group as a designer and project manager. Gabbard has 11 years of experience in the restaurant, hospitality, office buildings, historic restoration and retail arenas at Zito Russell Architects in Mobile, Ala. Gabbard’s previous notable projects include the White Pillars Restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi and the Ballard Brands corporate office in Covington, Louisiana.

Artech was founded by architect Rick Thompson, who is president of the architectural firm and was recently elected as secretary of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Region 3 Executive Committee. Thompson is also the East Tennessee Architect on the State Board of the Architects and Engineers Board of Examiners.

Compiled by Brandi Dixon, Business News is published each Sunday. Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@times freepress.com.