MEMPHIS PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:
Diversified Trust announced the appointment of Lee Gibson as its new president, a role transitioned from Sam Graham, who will remain in his role as chief executive officer. In addition to his current role as chief operating officer, Gibson will serve as the primary corporate management resource to the managing principals. He is an honors graduate of the Cannon Financial Institute Trust School. Additionally, Brook Lester was promoted to managing principal leading the firm’s Memphis office. He’ll continue as the firm’s chief wealth strategist. In 2015, Lester was a director with Deloitte Tax and served as the southeast region leader of estate, gift, trust and charitable planning services for high net-worth families and closely held businesses. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Mississippi.
Don Abernathy joined Chris Woods Construction recently as a new team member and project manager. He has more than 20 years of project management experience, most notably with correctional and municipal projects that range from large new county detention facilities to smaller additions and renovations. In addition, he will work to develop new markets for the company.
AOC announced in October that Lone Star Fund XI completed the acquisition of the company’s shares from CVC Capital Partners. AOC is a global manufacturer of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins and other solutions for applications in coatings and protective barriers, colorants and visual effects, adhesives, and conventional composite resins. After the transaction, the company will continue to operate under the AOC name.
Vaco’s Memphis office added a co-managing partner to its executive team in a strategic move that will allow the recruiting and consulting firm to stay atop the trends of a rapidly changing industry. Justin Farmer, a 14-year veteran of the company, works alongside managing partner Kirk Johnston to lead the local office. Farmer had served as leader of the firm’s staffing division.
inferno promoted Casey Kennedy to senior art director and appointed Diana Parsley as public relations account coordinator. Kennedy earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the University of Memphis and joined the company in 2014 as a junior art director and later held the positions of associate
art director and art director. Parsley, a graduate of Rhodes College with a bachelor’s degree in international studies, comes from a marketing background in the financial services industry.
Baker Donelson was named a Mortgage Bankers Association 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Residential Leadership Award winner. The annual awards recognize MBA members for their leadership efforts in DEI in three award categories: organizational DEI, market outreach strategies, and non-lender. The firm, which was the winner in the non-lender category, was recognized for its efforts in creating a robust program to recruit, retain and promote women and minority attorneys, with a particular emphasis on women. The MBA specifically cited Baker Donelson’s Women-to-equity cohort program that provides opportunities for women to
advance within the firm. The MBA also noted the firm’s status as a Mansfield Plus Certified firm, a voluntary initiative among law firms to ensure at least 30% of job applicants are women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+, or attorneys with disabilities.
Organizational changes at First Commercial Bank were made within the bank’s Trust group that became effective Nov. 1. Evelyn Agent, senior managing director and Trust officer, retired. Deonté Sanders, who has served in the Trust area for three years, assumed direction of the Trust group and will be promoted to senior managing director and Trust officer. Agent came to First Commercial to establish the bank’s Trust group in 2014 and sucas cessfully expanded its scope as well as a reputation for exceptional client service. Also, Dakota Tate was promoted to managing director and Trust officer.
Noteworthy
Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-south, a nonprofit dedicated to helping K-12 students become world ready, will soon have a new home in the heart of the city. JA has signed a lease with the Binghampton Development Corp. for 516 Tillman, the former site of the Save-a-lot grocery store. The 16,000-square-foot facility will house two JA Capstone programs in addition to serving as community resource space. JA’S new facility is set to open in January 2023.
Christian Brothers High School announced recently that its new basketball gym, currently in its final phase of construction, has been named the Mcneill Family Fieldhouse in recognition of the longtime support of alumnus Phil Mcneill Sr. (’56) and his family. The Mcneill Family Fieldhouse will serve a focal point for the school’s campus at 5900 Walnut Grove Road as the future home for community events and the CBHS basketball program. The Mcneill Family Fieldhouse’s opening marks the completion of the school’s “Momentum for Our Future” campaign.
Med Communications, a medical affairs partner to the life sciences sector, hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 18 to unveil its new headquarters, located on the fourth floor of the Clark Tower at 5100 Poplar Ave. Based in Memphis for more than 23 years, Med Communications was previously housed in the Medical District’s Memphis Bioworks Foundation at 20 Dudley St. During the past six years, Med Communications has experienced a client increase of about 25%.