Family Promise names Lakais Delaine as new executive director and more Chattanooga-area career moves

Family Promise names Delaine as new executive director

Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga has selected Lakais Delaine as the organization’s executive director.

Over the past 13 years, Delaine worked in various management roles, most recently as associate director of housing ministries at St. Vincent de Paul in Dayton, Ohio, according to a news release. In this role, she ensured the program was operating efficiently by managing housing-related case management, prevention, diversion and rapid rehousing programs and services.

“After an extensive search brought us applicants from all across the country and as far away as Guam, we feel very fortunate to have Lakais leading this organization through its next season,” said Demarland Dean, Family Promise’s board president. “She will be an exceptional addition to our organization because she is dedicated and passionate about building a better future for those experiencing homelessness, and she has excelled in her operations and leadership positions.”

Delaine also previously worked as shelter operations manager at Gateway Shelter for Men, case manager for transitional housing at St. Vincent de Paul and shelter operations manager at YWCA Dayton.

Delaine graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Ashford University. She later went on to receive a Master of Science in human services from Capella University. Additionally, she is a certified domestic violence advocate and served on the Homeless Solution’s front door committee.

Morning Pointe promotes Pollard, Medley to key roles

Morning Pointe Senior Living announced in a news release the dual promotion of Rob Pollard and Abby Medley to expanded operational roles within the company.

Pollard will become senior vice president of operations, responsible for management of standard operational processes, growth and development of leadership teams, expanding cultural reach, and strategic census planning across the entire footprint of Morning Pointe Senior Living communities.

Medley will become regional vice president of operations for the Appalachian region, which includes the Tennessee Valley and East Tennessee areas. She will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations management of 14 Morning Pointe communities, working closely with Executive Directors, Pollard, and other Morning Pointe leadership to ensure each exceeds expectations for residents, associates, and families.

“During Rob’s seven years with Morning Pointe, he has proven not only his dedication to the organization, but also his commitment to Morning Pointe residents and associates within his region and beyond,” said Heather Tussing, chief operating officer of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “He has shown strength in leadership, a willingness to repeatedly go above and beyond what is expected, and a sincere desire to help others excel, learn, and grow – all while focusing on keeping the communities in his region operationally strong and thriving.”

Pollard previously served in the regional vice president of operations, Appalachian region role for Morning Pointe. He is a licensed facility administrator in Tennessee and has successfully led several major improvement projects during his career, including a crucial role in helping with the rebuilding and reopening of Morning Pointe of Chattanooga and The Lantern following the devastating 2020 tornado. He began his career in senior living in 1999 as an executive director and has held various management roles in the industry ever since.

Medley previously served for five years as regional director of sales and marketing for Morning Pointe, having spent over a decade in various sales and operational roles within senior living-including as an executive director. She holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“Abby’s multi-faceted experience in sales and operations has prepared her very well for the role of regional vice president of operations,” said Tussing. “She has consistently raised the bar for her communities in the areas of census growth, business development, and associate management while adding new communities into the fold.”

Weaver, Walker join local Pinnacle Bank

Trust and wealth adviser Rhea Ann Weaver and financial adviser Caroline Walker have joined Pinnacle Financial Partners’ Chattanooga team, according to a news release. Both joined the firm from Truist and are based in Pinnacle’s office at 801 Broad St.

“We’re so lucky that Rhea Ann chose Pinnacle,” said Trust portfolio adviser Danny Gork. “Her reputation in the market after 20 years in the business is outstanding, with an impressive track record, and her approach to client service is so compatible with Pinnacle’s culture.”

Weaver joined Pinnacle from Truist in Chattanooga, where she worked for 20 years, most recently as a regional trust adviser. She earned a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M) and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She serves on the board of directors of Chattanooga Boys’ Choir and is a member of the Tennessee, Texas and Chattanooga Bar Associations.

Walker joined Pinnacle from Truist in Chattanooga, where she served as a commercial banking officer. She brings eight years of financial services experience to her role as financial adviser for Pinnacle’s client advisory group, which serves commercial and industrial clients. Walker has also worked for Atlantic Capital Bank and BB&T. She earned bachelor’s degrees from The New School in New York and Florida State University in Tallahassee. Walker is the recipient of the Women of Distinction Award and a graduate of both Leadership Tennessee and Leadership Chattanooga. She is involved in multiple community organizations including Junior League of Chattanooga, Rotary of Chattanooga, Tivoli Foundation, Chambliss Center for Children, Bright School, AVA and the American Cancer Society.

“Caroline is an excellent addition to our client advisory team to serve our commercial clients,” said Kenny Dyer, Pinnacle’s regional president in Chattanooga. “At Pinnacle, she’ll have the autonomy to give clients the kind of sound advice and stellar service they just can’t experience anywhere else.”

Erlanger adds Drs. Brittsan and Threlkeld

Erlanger Health System has added Drs. Caylie Brittsan and Amanda Threlkeld to its growing list of providers, according to a news release.

Brittsan is a board-certified family medicine physician with Erlanger Primary Care’s Ringgold office. A native of Ringgold, she graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Brittsan then moved to Savannah, Georgia, where she received her medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. There, she also completed a family medicine residency at Memorial Health, where she served as chief resident.

Brittsan is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians and the American Board of Family Physicians.

Threlkeld is a general urologist who treats a variety of issues including, but not limited to, kidney stones, benign prostate disease, urinary problems and various urologic malignancies. Born and raised in Memphis, Threlkeld attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for her undergraduate education, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology. Following her medical education at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, Threlkeld completed urology residency training at Erlanger Health System, affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga.

Culkeen chosen for diversity fellowship

Bob Culkeen, president and CEO of WTCI-TV, will join other public media leaders from across the country to participate in the Public Media Diversity Leaders Initiative, a program of the Riley Institute at Furman University offered in partnership with South Carolina ETV and modeled after the institute’s award-winning South Carolina Diversity Leaders Initiative, according to a news release.

Culkeen is one of 33 individuals to be a part of the initiative’s third cohort. Participants will take part in a highly interactive curriculum comprising scenario analyses and other experiential learning tools that support public media leaders in their efforts to apply diversity, equity and inclusion principles to behaviors, systems and cultures within their organizations.

“Today’s heightened awareness of racial and other inequities in American institutions has magnified and accelerated organizational and stakeholder expectations that public media leaders establish diversity, equity and inclusion as core values within their organizations,” said Anthony Padgett, president and CEO of South Carolina ETV. “Recognizing that, we are proud to partner with the Riley Institute to offer this unique virtual program to our peers from across the country.”

Gowin, Lyle promoted at franklin|architects

Sara N. Gowin has been promoted to Principal at franklin|architects, according to a news release.

Over the past eight years as head of the interior design group, Gowin has served her clientele with professionalism, spirit and excellent design, the release said. When not managing a dozen projects, buried in material samples, or problem-solving on a job site, she serves on the boards of the JA Henry YMCA and the East Ridge High School Future Ready Institute of Engineering and Design.

Matthew G. Lyle has been promoted to associate at franklin|architects.

Lyle is a newly licensed architect, has managed multiple, complex, award-winning projects, served on the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise Board and the AIA State Advocacy Committee, as well served as the chair of the Tennessee Architect’s PAC.

Nichols, Gaffney promoted at Coke bottler

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. has promoted Tanya Nichols to director of supply chain optimization and analytics and promoted Robert Gaffney to director of supply chain strategy and planning in Chattanooga, according to a news release.

Nichols will lead supply chain optimization initiatives to support Coca-Cola United’s sourcing and strategies. She will also build the supply chain analytics teams as they develop critical and actionable reporting and metrics. Nichols has been in the Coca-Cola System for more than 24 years, the last six at Coca-Cola United working in source optimization and raw materials.

Gaffney will lead demand planning, lifecycle and innovation and production and raw material planning, as well as oversee supply chain operational excellence teams. Gaffney has been with Coca-Cola United for nearly a decade.

– Compiled by Brandi Dixon

Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.