StoneLoads adds Wells as business development executive and more Chattanooga-area career moves

August 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. | Updated August 6, 2022 at 2:09 a.m.

by Staff Report

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photo Contributed Photo by StoneLoads/ Brandon Wells

StoneLoads adds Brandon Wells as business development executive

StoneLoads has welcomed Brandon Wells as business development executive for Texas and Oklahoma. Wells comes to StoneLoads with extensive sales and customer service experience, according to a news release.

"When we launched StoneLoads in May of this year, we quickly became aware that we needed high-performing business development personnel in Texas and Oklahoma to capitalize on interest in those areas," said John Bryant, StoneLoads co-founder and COO in a statement. "Brandon is a perfect fit at StoneLoads. He knows how to cultivate strong relationships, and his coaching spirit will help quarries and fabricators maximize their presence on StoneLoads as well as steering distributors to the loads they're looking to purchase."

Wells attended Baylor University before serving in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Iraq and South Korea. Prior to joining StoneLoads, Wells completed lengthy tenures in manufacturing sales and as a Chick-fil-A executive director.

Southern Adventist University adds senior advisor on diversity, strategic planning

Kathy Goodridge-Purnell has joined Southern Adventist University as the new senior advisor to the president on diversity and strategic planning. Purnell is originally from England with roots in the Caribbean.

photo Contributed Photo by Southern Adventist University/ Kathy Purnell

"I look forward to working closely with our new team member," said President Ken Shaw in a news release. "She brings a strong background in change management strategy and experience from several higher education institutions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Purnell's extensive expertise includes providing strategic leadership in shaping and defining an organization's inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity values by creating initiatives that advance such values for all members of an organization. Most recently she served as chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Pacific Union College in California. No stranger to Southern Adventist University, she has served as an adjunct instructor in the School of Social Work.

With a doctorate in education and professional studies from Capella University, Purnell also holds master's degrees in social work and instructional design/online technology.

Chambliss Law welcomes Nicholas Kujawa

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. announces the addition of Nicholas "Nick" T. Kujawa, who will support the firm as a financial analyst by assisting management with analyzing quantitative information for decision-making and planning purposes.

photo Contributed Photo by Chambliss Law/ Nick Kujawa

"Nick is a great addition to our Chambliss team because of the financial industry experience he brings," said Executive Director Tony Young in a news release. "His attention to detail and overall skills will allow us to better serve our clients now and in the future."

As financial analyst, Kujawa is responsible for providing and evaluating various financial reports, key performance indicators, and reporting packages to the firm's leadership team. He will also review the firm's historical data and industry research to ensure the firm is providing the best overall user experience to clients. Kujawa is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he earned a degree in economics.

Cardiothoracic surgeon John Craig joins Chattanooga Heart Institute

Cardiothoracic surgeon John Craig has joined the Chattanooga Heart Institute. Dr. Craig earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, where he also completed a general surgery residency and a vascular surgery fellowship.

photo Contributed Photo by Chattanooga Heart Institute/ John Craig

He completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass. He specializes in all aspects of cardiac surgery. Dr. Craig has more than a decade of experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon, according to a news release.

At The Chattanooga Heart Institute, Dr. Craig joins cardiothoracic surgeons Matthew Richey, MD, and James Zellner, MD, along with 27 cardiologists and three vascular surgeons.

WTCI PBS appoints Fell as board chair

Daniel Fell was named chair of the governing board of WTCI PBS during the July 2022 meeting of the Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corporation board of directors.

photo Contributed Photo by WTCI/ Daniel Fell

Joining Fell on the 2022-2023 executive committee are Julie Brandao, vice chair; Cole Powell, treasurer; Florence Pipkins, secretary; James Tanner, past chair; Steve Gatlin, Bonnie Hathcock, Kerry Hayes, T.D. Scott, Cindy Todd, and Bob Culkeen, president of WTCI PBS.

Danny Fell is a senior strategist and consultant for UnitedHealth Group's Optum. An early Chattanooga entrepreneur, Fell co-founded the marketing and advertising company Daniel+Douglas+Norcross in 1992 in the Chattanooga Business Development Center on Cherokee Boulevard. In 2006, the firm merged with the Richmond, Va. based Neathawk Dubuque & Packett where Fell served as its president and CEO until 2019.

Fell was appointed to WTCI's board of directors in 2018 and served on the executive committee in 2021-2022.

- Compiled by Brandi Dixon

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