The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEWSMAKERS
Leah Davenport has been named senior vice president and corporate engagement officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Also, Jeff Devine has been named senior vice president of operations and administrative services of the Atlanta Fed. Diversified Trust, an independent comprehensive wealth management firm with offices throughout the Southeast, has named Mary Frances Callis a senior vice president, responsible for client relationship management and the development and implementation of comprehensive estate and financial plans. Jim Chapman Communities, one of the Southeast’s premier homebuilders, has named Stephanie Jones as systems manager. Rheem has announced two key global leadership appointments — Chris Peel has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Rheem Manufacturing Co. and JR Jones has been named executive chairman of the board. Mercedes-Benz USA has named Rory Hepner as general manager, strategic retail development; Dietmar Exler, president and CEO, will oversee the implementation and compliance of all policies, programs and activities to support retail direction and objectives; Dianna du Preez has been named general manager, vehicle distribution and logistics; Heiko Schmidt, most recently department manager of product management, will become general manager of connected, autonomous, shared and service and electric drive; Zelma Cilliers, currently CIO of Mercedes-Benz Canada, will become CIO of MBUSA effective Aug. Lars 1, and N. Minns, most recently department manager of human resource operations, has been named chief human resources officer. Swift Currie has announced the addition of its 25th new attorney in 2018, Lauren Woodrick. Richard Evelyn has joined Morrison as group account director and will be responsible for managing the agency’s strategic client counsel and services. Bennett Thrasher LLP, a full-service public accounting and consulting, has promoted three directors to partner: Chris Frederick, Gina Miller and James Parks. Sims Patrick Studio, an Atlanta-based boutique interior design firm, has announced that it has new principals, Jenny Rutledge and Melissa Wylie. Soleil Smith, formerly a designer and project manager, has been promoted to senior associate.