PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:
The Lewis Thomason law firm recently fulfilled a priority of its strategic plan by forming Inclusivlt, a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. The committee is chaired by John R. Tarpley, a Nashville attorney, whose practice focuses on complex litigation in the areas of transportation, tort, product liability and insurance-related matters in both state and federal courts.
Thomas Sheddan has joined Marxbensdorf, REALTORS as an affiliate broker. His first job was in construction and he has nearly 25 years of experience in construction and has been a licensed contractor for 11-plus years.
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, a $50 million collaboration between the Wells Fargo Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory, announced the four newest winners of its Channel Partner Awards, including Memphis-based Aglaunch. Aglaunch will use the funds to develop an accelerator
program focused specifically on underrepresented and under resourced founders and farmers. Aglaunch will leverage its relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Tennessee State University.
For seven consecutive years the Tennessee Supreme Court has recognized lawyers and law offices for their commitment to providing pro bono services to those who cannot afford legal costs. To be considered, lawyers must report a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono service annually. Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh announced four of its attorneys have been named 2020 Attorneys for Justice. Recognized were Michael E. Goldstein, Brett A. Hughes, Megan Lane and Amber Griffin Shaw.
Cathy Sanchez was named director of Financial Aid in Enrollment Management for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where she’ll provide leadership by developing and implementing financial aid programs for students, maintaining the strategic vision
for Enrollment Management, and executing the procurement of aid funds from federal, state, and private sources.
The Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association named its 2021-2022 Executive Board, composed of veterinarians from across the state. The newly-elected officers include Bob Parker of Shelby Center Hospital for Animals in Bartlett. He was named president-elect.
Baker Donelson was honored by the American Bar Association (ABA) as a recipient of the ABA Free Legal Answers 2020 Pro Bono Leader Award, in recognition of the outstanding contribution of service by the Firm’s attorneys to the virtual legal advice clinic. The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service presents this annual recognition to individual attorneys, law firms, corporate law departments and organizations that have provided extraordinary pro bono services through ABA Free Legal Answers. In 2020, Baker Donelson attorneys answered more legal questions on ABA Free Legal Answers than any other law firm or legal group, responding to 1,155 questions on the sites for Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Trezevant senior living community received the Excellence in Spiritual Care Award from Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, a nonprofit healthcare organization that seeks to advance the integration of spiritual care in healthcare through clinical practice, research and education in order to improve patient experiences and satisfaction and to help people faced with illness and grief find comfort and meaning. Once an organization has received the award, it remains in effect for two years, after which time the organization can reapply as desired.
Looney Ricks Kiss added new architects to its staff across eight of its offices. Amali Wijesekera joined its New Orleans office. In the Memphis office, Blake Van Buren joined in single family residential architecture. Before joining LRK, Van Buren worked as an architectural designer for luxury homes as well as hotel and conference center projects in Missouri and Texas. Lindsey Carpenter is the newest architectural designer in the Philadelphia location. Kaitlin Schuette joined the Baton Rouge office as a LEED Green Associate and architectural designer.
Crye-leike Relocation Services was recognized with two top Member Achievement Awards from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a global network of market-leading independent real estate firms, during a special awards ceremony March 1. It received the 2020 Million Dollar Club-most Outgoing Closings Award, which is presented to the affiliates with the most outgoing closed referrals with an actual sales price of $1 million or greater, and the 2020 Momentum Club Award, in recognition of achieving notable improvement in their broker-to-broker referral production in 2020. Crye-leike Relocation Services, which operates in nine of Crye-leike’s regions, including Memphis, assists families, individuals and corporate groups relocating within the United States and abroad.
Cal-maine Foods of Jackson, Miss., announced that Camille Young was appointed to the company’s Board of Directors as an independent director, effective March 11, 2021. She will join the audit, compensation, nominating and long-term incentive plan committees. She currently serves as principal and director of Cornerstone Government Affairs, a full-service, bipartisan consulting firm specializing in federal and state government relations, public affairs and strategic communications, and advisory services.
NOTEWORTHY
Shelby Residential and Vocational Services (SRVS) executive director Tyler Hampton recently announced his plan to retire Dec. 31, 2021, ending a 21-year career with the nonprofit organization. He began his service at SRVS in September 2000 and served as director of operations for 12 years.
After former executive director Jeffrie Bruton retired in 2012, Hampton was chosen to lead the agency. SRVS is Tennessee’s largest provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and offers employment, residential, children’s services and other supports to 1,900 individuals annually.