PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene. Rhodes College’s 2021 alumni awards were presented during its Homecoming/reunion Weekend. Dr. Stephen C. Threlkeld (’86) received the Distinguished Alumni Award; Anna M. Laymon (’11) the Young Alumni Award; and Florence M. Johnson (’88) the Black Student Association Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor to Rhodes College through extraordinary achievement in their profession and community. Threlkeld specializes in infectious diseases and internal medicine and has helped lead in Rhodes’ partnership with Baptist Memorial Health Care, providing COVID-19 prevention, testing and health care services to the college. The Young Alumni Award is presented to young alumni who have brought honor to Rhodes through achievement in their profession and community. As vice president of programs and planning at the America250 Foundation
in Washington, Laymon is spearheading the design and execution of programs nationwide in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and previously served as executive director of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. The Black Student Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes African American alumni whose record of outstanding personal achievement and service to others has inspired Rhodes students and brought honor to their alma mater. Johnson is principal attorney at Johnson and Johnson, representing individuals and corporate entities in traditional labor and employment law.
In September, Scott Ready joined Memphis-based Forever Ready as director of Operations and Live Services in a full-time role. He’s been with the company since mid-2020. He has a background in corporate IT and project management, and last year he rolled out a livestream kit program with the Shelby County Mayor’s Office.
Baker Donelson expanded its Health Law Group with the addition of a team of six North Carolina attorneys led by prominent health care lawyers Kenneth L. Burgess and Matthew W. Wolfe. The move marks not only an expansion of the firm’s health practice but its
malted in Asheville, N.C. – but are hopeful that increased demand instate could lead to one being opened.
“Hopefully, this money from the state will help farmers make that investment in growing something like hops that is specifically just for beer,” Underwood said. “I’m excited to see farmers scale up what they’re doing through this initiative as they find out, oh, there’s a big demand here.”
Underwood said he’s most excited to use local ingredients to create unique beers you can’t find anywhere else. Tennessee is home to flora including persimmons, pawpaws, muscadines, passion fruits and elderberries — all of which, he said, can be used to brew beer.
“Historically, (when) you think of a pale ale, pilsners and Czech lagers and IPAS, all these styles were developed because of the ingredients that were on hand,” Underwood said. “When brewers start brewing local, they’re going to create whole new styles of beer, whole new flavors, based on the ingredients right here in Tennessee.”
Cole Villena covers business at The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network — Tennessee. Reach Cole at cvillena@tennessean.com or 615-925-0493. Follow Cole on Twitter at @Colevillena and on Instagram at @Cvintennessee.