Contributed photography / Randy DeCookRandy DeCook joins Peak Performance as the new director of business development for the Smart Factory Institute. DeCook engages with existing and prospective technology partners to bridge the gap between future technology and manufacturers by promoting knowledge transfer in the fields of automation, robotics and Industry 4.0. He has more than 25 years of global technical and sales experience in industrial maintenance and production management, technical training, field service engineering and installation, and project management.
Lindsey Clute joins Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. to help support the firm's marketing and business development department as the marketing and communications specialist, according to a news release. Clute assists with creating new opportunities and promoting the firm through content generation, digital and social media campaigns, internal and external events, and media relations. With prior experience working for a local media group and various small business owners, she brings the skills and experience which will help the team serve more than 60 attorneys who provide comprehensive legal services for local, regional, and national clients.
Contributed photography / Lindsey CluteChristopher George joins First Horizon Bank as senior vice president and private client relationship manager. A native of Chattanooga, George comes to First Horizon after serving as a relationship banker before moving into banking leadership at Regions Bank. Most recently, George served as a vice president in wealth management before joining the First Horizon team, according to a news release. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate is licensed in property, casualty and life insurance.
Contributed photography / Christopher GeorgeKatie Wilson joins McLemore as the new event and wedding sales manager. The University of Alabama graduate and Atlanta native brings customer relations and marketing specialties to the position, according to a news release. Wilson formerly served as chief of staff for Cobbler Union, a luxury men's shoe brand based in Atlanta and Spain. In that position, she developed a passion for people and drive for delivery that boosted the brand's largest growth of online presence in the company's history as well as the highest customer satisfaction ratings.
Contributed photography / Katie WilsonSam Turnipseed is promoted to Community Bank president of the bank's Chattanooga locations. Turnipseed started his career in the banking industry in 2002 after moving back to Chattanooga from the Washington, DC area. He held various roles before finding his passion for commercial lending.
Contributed photography / Sam TurnipseedAvery Boggess joins BrightBridge Capital as the fund's new markets tax credit program manager. In his role, Boggess works in all aspects of BrightBridge's new markets tax credit program which provides financing for projects sponsored by non-profit and for-profit businesses that have a funding gap and are located in highly-distressed, low-income census tracts, according to a news release. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he obtained a finance degree from the Haslam College of Business and was a member of the University of Tennessee Investment Group and the Financial Management Association.
Contributed photography / Avery BoggessWendy Winters is the new director of elder and disability services and quality improvement for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Winters holds a master's degree in public administration. Winters spent the last four years as executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, where she spearheaded homeless response efforts in the region on behalf of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition to her extensive experience in housing awareness and advocacy, Winters brings to Partnership a comprehensive knowledge of grants, program development and strategic acumen.
Contributed photography / Wendy WintersApril Sawhill joins the Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C. law firm. Sawhill began her practice in commercial litigation and insurance coverage matters in Grand Rapids, Michigan after graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law. She was elected a partner at Varnum LLP, before joining her spouse on international corporate assignments in Singapore and South Korea.
Contributed photography / April SawhillCourtney Johnston is promoted to vice president, mortgage loan originator to the team in Southeastern Tennessee for United Community Mortgage Services. In this expanded role, Johnston guides clients in Bradley County through the homeownership process with the various mortgage products that United offers. Johnston joined United in 2011 as a mortgage loan processor and since has gained extensive experience in processing and originating loans for a variety of customers for the past 11 years.
Contributed photography / Courtney JohnstonJim Thurman joins Pinnacle Chattanooga as treasury management advisor. Thurman had been with Regions Bank for seven years, most recently serving as treasury management sales officer. Prior to his tenure at Regions, he worked for U.S. Xpress Enterprises as senior treasury analyst and cash manager. Thurman is a graduate of Wofford College and earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He holds a Certified Treasury Professional designation from the Association for Financial Professionals.
Contributed photography / Jim Thurman