Partnership names Hyde as new CEO
Kevin Hyde, who previously served as regional vice president for the USO helping with military support programs around the world, has been named CEO for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults in Chattanooga.
Hyde, who will begin work at the Partnership on June 22, will succeed Pam Ladd, who plans to retire as head of the nonprofit agency on Aug. 24.
"Kevin possesses the qualifications and expertise to grow the Partnership into an even greater, more successful organization to create a lasting impact on our area," Partnership Chair Tyler Forrest said Thursday in an announcement of Hyde's appointment.
In his previous role, Hyde led business units covering a majority of the globe, with 95 employees and 2,500 volunteers. Under his direction the USO provided support to 360,000 military personnel assigned to the region. That support included humanitarian assistance to United States sailors and their families after the collisions of the USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain and the COVID outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Hyde began his career in the United States Air Force. During his almost 29-year tenure, he commanded multiple units around the world and was responsible for community relations in Rheinland-Pfatz, Germany, the largest American military community outside the United States. He participated in humanitarian relief operations in Haiti and Somalia, and led international relief operations in the Philippines, retiring as a Brigadier General.
Hyde holds a B.S. in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy, an M.S. in Organizational and Human Resource Development from Abilene Christian University, an M.A.in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College, an M.A. in Strategic Studies from United States Army War College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Maryland.
Chattanooga seeks to boost local bidders
The city of Chattanooga is launching a new outreach effort to encourage area businesses to bid on city contracts by streaming processes and procedures that some companies have said were overly burdensome.
In a news release, Mayor Tim Kelly said Thursday he has directed city officials to simplify the experience of doing business with the city as part of an effort to attract more local businesses to bid on city contracts and purchases, and bring back those who may have stepped away in previous years.
Kevin Bartenfield, who joined the city in 2021 as the chief procurement officer, said he has been working to reduce the amount of time it takes vendors to get paid, and has also modernized the city's vendor portal as part of the ongoing overhaul.
"The whole team is working hard to make doing business with the city a pleasant experience that also protects the tax dollars with which we've been entrusted," said Bartenfield. "We're excited to re-introduce the city to potential vendors and discuss opportunities."
A city purchasing expo is planned on Thursday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Avondale Community Center, 1305 Dodson Avenue. Event attendees will be able to meet with city purchasing decision-makers, learn more about the city's efforts to build a more equitable and diverse vendor ecosystem, as well as sign up and register as potential suppliers and receive training to begin receiving opportunities to sell goods and services to the city.
"We hope that our diverse community's business owners will take advantage of this opportunity to meet our city's decision-makers and get plugged into the city purchasing process, as we work together to create a more prosperous Chattanooga," said Tamara Steward, chief equity officer.
Mercedes recalls 292,000 vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 292,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a problem that could cause the brakes to fail or perform poorly.
The recall covers certain ML, GL and R-Class vehicles from the 2006 through 2012 model years.
Mercedes says in documents posted Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that moisture can get into a brake booster housing and cause corrosion.
The company says in documents that it has no reports of crashes or injuries.
Dealers will inspect the brake booster and replace it if needed. Owners will be notified by letter starting May 27.
- Compiled by Dave Flessner