Smith to oversee Coker operations

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Coker Tire Co., the world's largest supplier of collector vehicle tires and wheels, has named Mary Smith as its director of operations. Smith, who previously worked as the human resources supervisor, will be in charge of identifying and streamlining problem areas in the company's operations.

"I'm hoping to relieve some of the decision making pressures from the CFO and ensure that all company goals are being met as efficiently as possible," Smith said.

She has a degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and has been executive assistant to the vice president of finance for more than five years.

Local accountants pass CPA exam

The Tennessee State Board of Accountancy recently announced that 90 candidates passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination.

Among the successful candidates are Khristopher B. Conner, Dana Hull, Justin A. Little and Maegan E. Manning, of Chattanooga; Linsey A. McKinney, of Birchwood; and Kata A. Whitted, of Hixson.

Townsend named VP for J&J

Brad Townsend has been named the corporate vice president of sales for J&J Industries, a leading manufacturer of commercial carpet.

Towns-end will be responsible for all selling efforts for J&J, including the oversight of the contract brand, J+J/Invision, and the hospitality brand, J+J/Templeton, along with sales training for the company's sales team.

Formerly with Shaw Industries, Townsend has worked for more than 27 years in the commercial carpet industry. Most recently, Townsend was division vice president of sales for the Northeast/Midwest division of Shaw Contract and Patcraft.

"Brad's addition to our executive team will continue our focus on and commitment to growing our total business by hiring, training and developing the best commercial sales force in the industry," J&J President David Jolly said.

Townsend resides in Dalton, Ga., with his wife, Karen, and three children. They attend Dalton First United Methodist Church.

Hornbuckle now fraud examiner

Dustin R. Hornbuckle, an accountant with Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter PLLC, has been awarded the certified fraud examiner credential by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

To be certified, Hornbuckle had to meet a set of criteria and pass an exam. The ACFE is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education.

Accountants elect chapter officers

The Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants recently elected its 2012 officers.

Anthony M. D'Andrea, vice president of investments with Raymond James & Associates Inc., was elected president.

Christian E. Bennett, an audit manager with Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter PLLC, was chosen as president-elect. Jerome C. England, an accountant in Jasper, Tenn., was elected vice president. Jeffrey E. Ross, assistant controller at First Security Group Inc., was elected secretary. Pamela S. Mantone, senior assurance manager at Joseph Decosimo and Co., was elected treasurer.

The statewide CPA association also recently appointed new committee chairsmen, including D. Michael Costello, of Lookout Mountain, chairman of the forensic and valuation services committee; Henry A. Hoss, of Chattanooga, chairman the federal taxation committee; and Kimberly A. Lawrence, of Chattanooga, chairwoman of the women's initiatives committee.