Business Digest: Bill Mish named caucus chairman

Friday, January 1, 1904

Mish named caucus chairman

Bill Mish, general manager of the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Chattanooga, has been named state lodging caucus chairman by the Tennessee Hospitality Association Board of Directors.

"I am honored to be given this opportunity, and look forward to working with our board members and lobbyists to achieve the goals we have set," Mish said.

THA chief Greg Adkins the position plays a critical role in determining lodging policy at the state Legislature.

"Bill's unique hotel background and understanding of the issues facing our industry are critical to our success," he said.


SpringHill Suites gets Silver LEED

The SpringHill Suites in downtown Chattanooga, owned by 3H Group Hotels, has received Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

"LEED certification is an internationally recognized achievement that takes a team effort from beginning to end," said Jason Rothenberg, project director for 3H Group Hotels.

"Obtaining Silver LEED certification is a wonderful achievement and reflects our commitment to the environment," said Jake Honegger, general manager of the hotel.


Life Care at Home a top agency

Life Care at Home has been named a top agency of the 2012 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.

The HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall.

Winners are ranked by an analysis of publicly available performance measures in quality outcomes, process measure implementation, patient experience, quality improvement and financial performance.

All three Life Care at Home agencies, in Chattanooga, Cleveland, Tenn., and Ducktown, Tenn., received the distinction.

Chris Mitchell, CEO of Life Care Home Health, credited the agency's staff commitment to quality patient care.


Firm adds four new attorneys

Four attorneys have joined the Gearhiser Peters law firm.

Corrin P. Fulton and Justin B. Faith have joined the firm's civil litigation practice. Stacy H. Farmer and David W. Hunter have joined the firm's business, corporate, and estate planning practice.

Fulton graduated from Lee University. She received her law degree from the Appalachian School of Law.

Farmer is a graduate of Auburn University. She is also a 2011 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

Hunter earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Tennessee Technological University and his law degree from the University of Memphis.

Faith is a graduate from the University of Louisville and the University of Tennessee College of Law.


Cross Doster joins dental practice

Dr. Cross Doster as joined in the practice of dentistry with his father, Dr. Freeman C. Doster, in Chattanooga.

Cross Doster graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's of science degree. Last May, he graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis.

"It is exciting to work with my dad, because it creates an advantage for our patients," Dr. Doster said. "My dad has over 30 years of experience in the dental field. Concurrently, I bring modern techniques and new technology to the dental practice."


Area203 Digital adds executives

Area203 Digital, a digital ad agency owned by Carey V. Brown in Chattanooga, has hired two industry veterans to bolster its 88-employee staff.

Gene De Libero is the new chief strategy officer for Area203. De Libero launched one of the first commercial social media networks in 1985 and has since founded other digital business ventures, including Ambient Media, Inc., a developer and operator of digital-out-of-home networks, and TxtEdge Inc., a mobile marketing platform focused on putting consumers in charge of the marketing conversation. De Libero also served as senior vice president of digital strategy and marketing technology at Mullen, a full-service agency specializing in television, print, and digital.

Patrick Kearns, who previously worked at the Doner and Momentum ad agency, is a new Creative Director at Area203. He has created award-winning work for many name brands, including Budweiser, Microsoft Advertising, DuPont, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Arby's.

"We are looking for professionals who are highly passionate about what they do, hyper-focused on winning for clients and can bolster and grow our capabilities," said Doug Freeman, President of Area203.


Local IT firm now has Barracuda

Phoenix Technology, LLC, in Chattanooga has entered in a channel partnership with Barracuda Networks, Inc. Barracuda Networks' products span three distinct IT needs, including content security, network and application delivery, data storage and disaster recovery services.

Lee Bridenstine, a solutions engineer for Phoenix Technology, holds numerous certifications for Barracuda products. Phoenix Technology, LLC is a Chattanooga based Information Technology consulting firm providing Information Technology Solutions for your business or organization.


VW family event draws 8,000

Christmas came early, or at least the reindeer did, at Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant.

An estimated 8,000 VW workers in Chattanooga and their families recently took part in an employee appreciation event that included an ice rink and reindeer petting zoo. VW also opened its plant for tours by family members.

Susanne Schaefer, VW's general manager of employee relations and development in Chattanooga, said it was the fifth such gathering for VW since it came to Chattanooga in 2008.