BlueCross hits minorities goal

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee surpassed its goal for participation by minority and women-owned businesses on its $299 million headquarters, officials said.

The company also passed its goal for local businesses.

“BlueCross has always worked closely with minority-owned and small businesses to ensure that our suppliers reflect our company’s overall diversity goals,” said BlueCross vice president Dan Jacobson.

The insurer had a 26 percent minority and women-owned business participation rate, the company said. Its rate of local and regional contractors was 63 percent. The company’s goals were 25 percent for minority participation and 50 percent for local contractors.

Childress named Luken president

Lynda Childress has been promoted to president/CEO of Luken Holdings Inc., a key owner and operator of commercial real estate in Chattanooga.

She succeeds Kim White, who has been named to serve as president/CEO of RiverCity Co., a private, nonprofit redevelopment group in downtown Chattanooga.

“Lynda has been an important part of this company since its purchase, and I feel fortunate to have her leading our team” said owner Henry Luken.

Ms. Childress, who previously served as chief financial officer of Luken Holdings, began her career in 1990 with Osborne Building Corp., and then joined the Corker Group nine years later when Osborne was bought by now U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. She then moved to Luken Holdings when Mr. Luken bought Sen. Corker’s real estate holdings in 2005.

Luken Holdings owns and operates more than 2.5 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Multicultural Chamber event

The Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday night with an event at the Chattanooga Convention Center. During the event, the Chamber honored the businesses that have powered the Chamber all these years.

Five small businesses and four corporations were honored in a video montage shown at the event.

The group also is introducing a commemorative calendar that also doubled as the event’s program. The Chamber’s membership includes nearly 450 black, white, female, Spanish-speaking, Indian, Native American and Asian business people, according to the group’s Web site. Sherrie Gilchrist serves as Chamber president.