Annual Business Issue
“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.”
– Peter Drucker, Famed Business Writer And Educator
Dr. Helen Kuroki, M.D.Years with company: 1
Oversees: Clinical vision of health system; works with physicians to ensure the highest quality of care is available at CHI Memorial
Before joining CHI Memorial as senior vice president and chief medical officer in September 2016, Dr. Kuroki served in a leadership role at a Pennsylvania hospital where she was also a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist for more than 23 years. Dr. Kuroki leads the CHI Memorial health care system and medical staff to optimize quality, safety, and the patient experience by ensuring the highest quality medical treatment is available. Since joining CHI Memorial last year, Dr. Kuroki has led a team to evaluate and select a new electronic medical record system for the hospital and physician practice setting.
Matt LovittYears with company: 8
Oversees: All aspects of chemistry and environmental controls at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant
After serving for more than nine years in the Navy, Lieutenant Commander Matt Lovitt (USNR) is now serving at TVA’s Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. First, as a licensed Senior Reactor Operator and Operations shift manager, he managed the team responsible for ensuring the safe operation of two nuclear reactors that produced enough energy to power 1.3 million Tennessee Valley homes. Today, he leads the team controlling the plant’s chemistry in all primary, secondary, closed- and open-water cooling and fuel and oil systems. For Lovitt, strong leadership is integral to his character.
Sarah StokesYears with company: 13
Oversees: Employee orientation, health care, development, training, and employee relations for entire 3H portfolio
Sarah Stokes has been with 3H Group Hotels since 2004, after earning her degree from Grand Valley State University. Starting out as a front desk intern, her work ethic was quickly noticed by hotel management. Stokes rapidly went from intern to hotel general manager at one of Chattanooga’s oldest hotels and had great success in her leadership role. Her hard work then earned her an opportunity to open a new hotel, as well as the title “General Manager of the Year” at 3H’s annual Manager’s Conference. In December 2013, Stokes was promoted to 3H Group’s corporate staff as Director of Human Resources and Training. She also represents 3H Group’s partnership with local programs such as Step-Up Chattanooga and On Point, offering entry level hotel jobs to students in underdeveloped schools.
Mark FeemsterYears with company: 12
Oversees: Business development and growth of commercial and small business client portfolio
Mark Feemster is a 30-year banking veteran and lead financial advisor for Pinnacle Financial Partners. He has served Chattanooga businesses and families for many years and was part of the CapitalMark Bank & Trust team before the bank was acquired by Pinnacle in 2015. Feemster gets to know his clients as a partner and advisor, so he can understand their needs, wants, and goals. He uses a holistic approach to banking, not focusing on selling financial products but rather on improving lives and businesses. Feemster’s deep local knowledge and banking experience mean his clients get effective advice to match his distinctive service. Thanks to this comprehensive relationship approach, Feemster has a successful track record with a diverse array of clients in achieving their short- and long-term goals.
Donna Alley MyersYears with company: 38
Oversees: Consumer lending at Southeast Tennessee’s largest credit union
Quite a bit has changed in the credit union industry since Donna Alley Myers began her career as lobby receptionist at TVFCU’s Downtown Chattanooga Branch more than three decades ago. Today, she serves as the vice president of lending in addition to overseeing loan support and the call center. When TVFCU launched the Southeast’s first in-house indirect lending platform with auto dealers in 1991, Myers was part of the original team and continues to be actively involved with its success today. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for ELAN Financial Services, and in 2015, served on the Mayor’s Pay Day Lending Task Force.
Mary Stewart LewisYears with company: 2
Oversees: Growing their Commercial Property and Casualty division
If you had to find one word to describe MaryStewart Lewis, it would be passion. Lewis has passion for her work at BB&T where she is responsible for growing their Commercial Property and Casualty division. Although new to the insurance business, she has been working in the Chattanooga business community for over 20 years. While at BB&T Huffaker, she has had the privilege to learn from many wonderful mentors while getting licensed in all insurance products and working toward insurance certifications. Lewis also brings her passion to many local volunteer organizations. She serves on several boards including Memorial Foundation Board, Chattanooga Chamber Board, Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association Board, Urban League, and Read 20. In 2013, she was named as one of Chattanooga’s Women of Distinction.
Robert C. DivineYears with company: 16
Oversees: Baker Donelson’s Global Immigration practice
Robert Divine served as Chief Counsel and Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and is the author of Immigration Practice, a respected practical treatise used as a reference by immigration authorities nationwide. A shareholder who works from Baker Donelson’s Chattanooga and D.C. offices, Divine has extensive experience serving clients throughout the world in the arrangement of all types of business-based temporary and permanent immigration status, and provides strategic advice and training for employers in their immigration compliance efforts. He is a frequent speaker on U.S. and international immigration rules, policies and procedures, and has testified as an expert on immigration law for courts in the United States and abroad.
Nicole OsborneYears with company: 2
Oversees: Government affairs and public policy practice group
With over a decade of experience, Nicole Osborne works to achieve the legislative, regulatory, and policy goals of Chambliss clients. She uses her federal, state, and local government experience to provide tailored strategic plans and represent clients before elected bodies. Clients turn to Osborne because of her integrity, work ethic, and passion for helping others. In addition to her responsibilities, Osborne has been appointed to the City of Chattanooga Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board, serves on the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee and Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute Women Impacting Policy Committee, is the president-elect of Junior League of Chattanooga, and is a 2017 recipient of the Girls Inc. Unbought and Unbossed Award.
Gary PettyYears with company: 20
Oversees: Team of compliance officers, internal auditors, and BSA/AML officers who support the Bank’s role as an FDIC compliant company
With more than 20 years of professional financial experience, Gary Petty brings added value to the SmartBank team. Having worked in previous years as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petty continues to be a driving force for SmartBank as the company continues to grow into other regions. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Georgia and a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With his expertise spanning finance, operations, and executive roles, he currently supports a team comprised of compliance officers, internal auditors and BSA/AML officers, who are active in supporting the bank’s role under FDIC regulations. In addition to his professional career, Petty spends his free time as an avid runner and enjoys participating in marathons and Ironman competitions.
Christina Edwards, CPAYears with company: 9
Oversees: Audit and advisory client services for manufacturing, service, and nonprofit organizations
A senior manager, Christina Edwards has over 14 years of experience providing assurance and advisory accounting services to publicly and privately held companies. Christina utilizes her wide range of technical knowledge to help local companies overcome their financial reporting challenges and to serve as a resource to assurance teams within LBMC. But Christina’s true passion lies in encouraging the professional development of the firm’s young professionals. Christina served on the LBMC Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) steering committee during its first five years, and she actively cultivates a culture of learning and professional development throughout the firm. Christina is an active leader in the Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Society of CPAs, where she currently serves as President Elect.
James D. Brown, IIYears with company: 6
Oversees: Business development of small to mid-size commercial clients in the Chattanooga market
With 14 years of professional commercial banking experience, James Brown serves as an advisor to his clients. He provides his clients with financial knowledge and expertise for banking products they need, with the exceptional customer service and solutions they expect, tailored to meet their unique businesses objectives. Brown has a passion for community service and has developed deep relationships with local businesses and the community. Brown is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, a current board member of the Hamilton Family YMCA, Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Hamilton Place Rotary.
Tom HendersonYears with company: 20
Oversees: Local news and content creation for the Chattanooga and North Georgia region
Tom Henderson is a 35-year veteran broadcast journalist, committed to excellence in providing the news and information necessary for our community to be more aware, more prepared, and better informed. In that mission, Henderson recruits and leads an award-winning team of anchors, reporters, videographers, producers, directors, and editors under the NewsChannel 9 and Fox Chattanooga brands. Henderson is driven by a passion for both learning and teaching. He attributes his team’s success to a deep connection with the people of the region and a sharp focus on generating relevant content.
Mary C. DeCampYears with company: 9
Oversees: Employment law and human resources
Mary C. DeCamp is an Assistant Managing Member in the Chattanooga office of Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan. A native of Augusta, Georgia, she graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with her Bachelor of Science in 2003 and went on to graduate with her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2008. Though varied, her practice is focused chiefly in the expansive areas of education law, special education law, and employment law. DeCamp has represented school districts, school boards, governmental entities, corporations, small businesses, and individuals in a variety of litigated matters. DeCamp regularly gives presentations to organizations and individuals on issues, best practices, and current events impacting employers, school boards, and school systems.
Kevin SmithYears with company: 4
Oversees: A team of six relationship managers assisting and advising small to mid-size companies in East Tennessee
As Regional Vice President, Kevin Smith leads a relationship management team responsible for assisting and advising SunTrust commercial clients and prospects in the Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Tri-Cities markets. Prior to joining SunTrust, Smith spent over 15 years serving in various leadership positions with other financial institutions. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Appalachian State University and currently volunteers and serves as treasurer for Glass House Collective Board, is President of Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association Chattanooga, and is an ambassador for Siskin Children’s Institute.
Travis M. Horton, MBA, CPAYears with company: 18
Oversees: Strategy development for the firm and its clients
Travis Horton joined HHM in 1999 as a staff accountant. He was named partner less than six years later, setting the pace for his career. The firm credits his early success to his ability to help clients find solutions to issues outside the realm of typical accounting problems, which has also helped him build the firm’s largest client base. Horton has worked in all segments of the firm, from leading some of HHM’s largest audit and tax engagements to orchestrating complex buy/sell transactions across a vast array of industries. His work ethic and intuitive ability to solve problems are products of lessons learned at his father’s businesses as a young boy. “During my high school years, my father took me along on most of his business meetings,” Horton said. “There, I had the opportunity to listen and learn, both from his successes and his mistakes.”
David Smith, PhDYears with company: 18
Oversees: The mission, vision, and strategic goals of the university
David Smith started as an English professor at Southern Adventist University in 1981, teaching for 17 years – 11 of which he was chair of the English Department. In 1998, he became president of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving there for 13 years. Next, he led the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists as senior pastor before returning to Southern as president in 2016. Smith has a love for young people, with a strong desire to provide a campus environment where they can match their passions with God’s purpose for their lives. In addition to continuing Southern’s tradition of academic excellence, he aims to make higher education more affordable and reduce student debt.
Reneé TracyYears with company: 34
Oversees: Transportation divisions at Collegedale, Stuarts Draft, Va., and Gentry, Ark., as well as the Distribution Center in Kingman, Ariz.
Renee’ Tracy started her career with McKee Foods in the very early days of the Gentry, Ark., plant. She grew that location’s transportation operation for nearly 17 years before relocating to the company’s headquarters in Collegedale to assume the title of Director of Transportation. Since becoming Vice President in 2011, Tracy has continued to guide the company’s private transportation fleet. Her focus on open communication and ethical business practices has resulted in a high degree of success navigating a challenging and ever-changing transportation environment. From safety and compliance to customer service and engagement, when it comes to people, product or property, Tracy is vital to the success of McKee Foods.
Robin HoltYears with company: 24
Oversees: Dalton Operations
Robin Holt started with Lawson Electric in 1993. He began as a helper in the Dalton office and worked his way through various positions within the company. Today he manages large industrial and commercial projects in the Southeast. Last year, Holt was promoted to Vice President of Lawson Electric and recently named as Dalton Operations Manager by the Board of Directors. Holt oversees day-to-day operations and personnel in the Dalton office. Holt believes Lawson’s success, with its long history of repeat customers and dedicated employees, is based on two core principles: “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” and “Do what you say you’re going to do.”
Tyler SiiraYears with company: 15
Oversees: U.S. treasury functions
Tyler Siira brings proven leadership skills to his position as vice president and corporate treasurer at Unum. He’s served in various roles in the Finance and Investment organizations within the company since joining the firm in 2002 as a financial consultant. In his current role, his areas of focus include capital market transactions, liquidity management, treasury and banking operations, and employee benefit plan asset management. He is the board chair of Chattanooga Christian School and serves on the board of directors for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and Chattanooga Football Club Foundation. He’s also a trustee of the RL & KH Maclellan Foundation.
Chas TorrenceYears with company: 4
Oversees: Directs and oversees the day-to-day operations of EMJ Special Projects and its nearly 40 employees
Chas Torrence leads the construction operations at EMJ Special Projects, a business unit within EMJ Corporation that focuses on quick turnaround, programmatic and specialty projects. Chas’s 15 years of construction experience in a variety of roles, from estimator to project manager, serves as a valuable resource to his team. Torrence earned a bachelor’s degree in construction science and management from Clemson University, and in 2017, he was named both a Top Young Professional by Engineering News-Record and among the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Top 40 Under 40. Torrence serves on the Board of Directors for East Tennessee’s chapter of Make-a-Wish, and he is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Miracle League of Chattanooga.
Dakasha WintonYears with company: 8
Oversees: All state and federal government relations for BlueCross, and supervises analysis of proposed legislation
Throughout her time at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Dakasha Winton has played a key role in regulatory oversight matters and compliance implementation, as well as program and policy design. She also serves as the company’s liaison to federal and state industry associations and advocacy groups. Before joining BlueCross in 2009, she served as chief counsel for the Insurance, Securities and TennCare oversight divisions of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Winton actively participates in several legislative and regulatory workgroups with America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Her unique perspective and experience enhances her ability to support BlueCross efforts that advocate on behalf of its members.
Peter LindemanYears with company: 4
Oversees: Growth and success of the commercial banking department in Chattanooga
Peter Lindeman has been in banking leadership for over two decades and has managed teams in the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. The Atlanta native thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach and growth. At Atlantic Capital, Lindeman serves as the Chattanooga Market Executive for a community and business bank. Lindeman’s approach to banking is simply “appreciating all clients large and small and serving as an experienced, trusted advisor to allow them to meet their goals.” He currently serves as a board member and incoming treasurer with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council.
Teresa DingerYears with company: 24
Oversees: Hospital admissions, marketing, and development functions
Teresa Dinger is a strong and capable leader who is responsible for the hospital’s overall admissions, the marketing and advertising functions, and the hospital’s fundraising and special events. Dinger and her team have won numerous local, regional, and national advertising awards for the hospital during her tenure. Additionally, the hospital has seen significant volume growth in the number of patients served under her direction of the admissions function. She has dedicated her career to ensuring the utmost success of Siskin Hospital and is eternally grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such an amazing group of caring people who change lives each and every day. She is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and the recipient of Freedom Foundations Distinguished Citizen Award. She was a 2015 Women of Distinction Honoree.
Andrew HibbardYears with company: 7
Oversees: All investment and capital markets activities for Vision Hospitality Group, Inc.
Andrew Hibbard focuses on building the business case for each hotel property investment, which includes market research, legal coordination, pro forma modeling, site acquisition, and franchise application. In addition, he is charged with sourcing financing for new projects as well as monitoring and optimizing the capitalization of Vision’s portfolio of properties. Hibbard’s expertise has been a vital key to Vision’s growth and development. Before joining the company in 2010, Hibbard worked in commercial real estate where he advanced his skills in project management, financial analysis, and commercial real estate brokerage. Committed to the city of Chattanooga, Hibbard currently serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Greater Chattanooga Area Habitat for Humanity, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Youth Orchestras, ArtsBuild, and the Chattanooga Downtown Rotary.
Bobby LuskYears with company: 22
Oversees: Commercial and municipal clients in southeast Tennessee and Georgia
With over 36 years of commercial banking experience in Chattanooga, Bobby Lusk manages relationships with middle market commercial, municipal, and individual clients for the bank. Additional responsibilities include providing clients and prospects with treasury management services, wealth management services, commercial loans, international services, tax-exempt financing, and interest rate hedging products. Specialty industries where Lusk provides expertise and support include: fund of funds, private equity, and health care. Recognized for his sales performance at the company’s annual Diamond Circle Awards, Lusk is also active in the Chattanooga community where he has served as a board member, volunteer leader, and fundraiser with various nonprofit organizations.
Jack ShermanYears with company: 4
Oversees: All sales operations and distribution for the Chattanooga, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia areas
Jack Sherman began his career with Coca-Cola in 2002 when he worked as a summer helper from 2002-2005 while attending Georgia Southern University. While at Georgia Southern, Sherman earned his Bachelor’s in Business Finance. Sherman worked in the financial field from 2007 until 2013 when he returned to Coca-Cola to work with Coca-Cola Refreshments. While with CCR, he served as an account manager and merchandising manager. Sherman transitioned to Coca-Cola United with the transition of the Tuscaloosa Sales Center where he was named sales center manager in November 2014. In January 2017, he relocated to Chattanooga where he is the current sales center manager.
Ann EslingerYears with company: 3
Oversees: EPB’s relationship with small to mid-sized commercial and industrial electric power customers
Ann Eslinger is a commercial energy analyst for EPB. Her role is a combination of customer service, analysis, and economic development. Eslinger builds relationships with EPB’s small to mid-sized industrial and commercial customers to help them understand how they purchase electric power and how they can save on their electric power costs. Eslinger’s elevator speech is “EPB wants to sell a lot of electric power, but we don’t want any of our customers to buy more than they need.” When she’s not helping EPB customers, Eslinger enjoys farm life with her family and serving in student ministry at her church.
Barry W. Bell, CVRN-BC, BSYears with company: 22
Oversees: Cardiovascular program
With over 30 years in health care, Barry Bell leads Parkridge Medical Center’s cardiovascular program that includes an experienced team of 12 physicians and surgeons as well as dozens of skilled staff members. Using the latest equipment and technology, Bell’s program is continually recognized by accreditation agencies for its care and positive outcomes for patients experiencing heart disease. Most recently, Bell’s department was recognized by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Bell is proud of the warm, personal attention offered to patients and says his priority is to provide the best patient experience possible.
Callie StarnesYears with company: 9
Oversees: The WRCB-TV news department, which includes more than 40 journalists, and all content generated for more than 35 hours of local news per week and digital platforms.
Callie Starnes now leads the WRCB-TV news operation. Starnes joined WRCB-TV in 2008 and was promoted through the ranks as a reporter and then weekday anchor. She left local news in 2014 and served as Relationship Manager at a public relations firm before returning to WRCB-TV as assistant news director one year later. Starnes was promoted to news director in December 2016. Before moving to Chattanooga, she was a reporter for the NBC affiliate in Macon. She is a past president of the Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga, a graduate of CWLI’s Women Mentoring Women program and has served her alma mater on the Berry College Alumni Council. Starnes has been honored by the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists and awarded three prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Kristine GodfreyYears with company: 19
Oversees: Maintains and enhances the facility’s human resource initiatives and recruitment
Kristine Godfrey has been a valuable member of the leadership team for over 19 years. Guided by her integrity and principle, her accomplishments towards making the hospital a better place to work are unmatched. She is an excellent advocate for employees and also brings practical ideas to many areas of the organization. Employees have voted her manager of the year twice and she has been named the division manager of the year within the company. Outside of the hospital, she can be found supporting workforce development by serving on the Human Resource Association with Cleveland-Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Bradley County High School Business Department Advisory Board, and the Bradley Pathways Program.
Donald J. Mueller, FACHEYears with company: 2
Oversees: Comprehensive Academic Pediatric Center
Donald Mueller joined Children’s Hospital in June 2015 and is responsible for the Comprehensive Academic Pediatric Center. The hospital provides access for children living within a 50,000 square mile radius of Chattanooga and serves more than 100,000 patients annually. With Mueller’s extensive work in strategic planning for children’s health care, he is also leading the planning and development of a new children’s hospital in Chattanooga, which will feature a new pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), cancer center, inpatient unit, emergency room and pediatric radiology suites.
Lucy Gates, CPAYears with company: 13
Oversees: Tax Service Group for Chattanooga office
Lucy Gates, Tax Department Leader of Elliot Davis Decosimo’s Chattanooga office, has extensive experience providing a broad range of tax services to investment companies, private equity funds, venture capital groups, and hedge funds. She also leads the firm’s investment companies tax specialty group. Actively involved in her community, Gates is an alumnus of Leadership Chattanooga, serves on the board of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga as Finance Chair, is on the Education Fund Board at Normal Park, and is on the Tennessee Society of CPA’s board as Secretary for the Chattanooga chapter.
David SpillerYears with company: 5
Oversees: Miller & Martin’s General Counsel Services practice group, as well as an active corporate law and transaction practice, advising clients and negotiating deals in Chattanooga and Southeastern regions, across the U.S. and abroad
David Spiller has been practicing law for 12 years and has been with Miller & Martin since 2012, and a member since 2013. Recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers® for the past 4 years as a Rising Star in the area of corporate law/mergers & acquisitions, he has extensive experience with lower-middle market business transactions, from small deals to those involving hundreds of millions of dollars, across many industries. He works with buyers, sellers, investors, brokers, accountants and other professionals to understand key deal points, assess risks, bridge gaps between parties and efficiently drive deals to conclusion. Like a “quarterback” he often coordinates litigation, real estate, intellectual property, estate planning and foreign legal experts where necessary. He also helps technology companies bring their products and services to market and enter into key strategic alliances. Spiller is a recent graduate of the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute, a Sewanee graduate, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a board member of the Association for Visual Arts and a member of the Manker Patten Tennis Club’s Long-Term Planning Group.
Justin HarnessYears with company: 15
Oversees: Dedicated Accounts operation
Justin Harness, a Chattanooga native, is a fifteen year veteran with U.S. Xpress and has contributed to the company in nearly every aspect of operations. Starting out as a fleet management trainee, Justin has since managed multiple functions including customer service, load planning and field operations. Today, Justin is responsible for over 275 office employees, 32 field locations and thousands of professional drivers who collectively log over 200 million miles per year delivering products to customers such as WalMart, Dollar General and Kroger.
