Longley, Longmire merge CPA firms
Chattanooga accountants Mark S. Longley and Susan C. Longmire announce the merger of their local accounting firms.
The combined firm, which will operate as Mark S. Longley, CPA, is in the heart of the North Shore community at 300 N. Market St., Suite B. The firm provides tax and accounting services for individuals and small- to medium-sized, closely held businesses.
Longley is a CPA with more than 35 years of experience. He earned degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee. He is licensed in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina.
Longmire is a CPA with more than 30 years of experience. She earned a bachelor's and MBA degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is licensed in Tennessee.
Baumunk joins Freightliner
Freightliner of Chattanooga has added Dick Baumunk to its sales staff.
Baumunk, who has more than 30 years of truck sales experience, will serve as fleet account manager for the Tennessee area.
Jim Wood, general sales manager with Freightliner in Chattanooga, said Baumunk's "track record of consistent high performance, customer focus and managing accounts made him the best choice and addition to our sales staff."
Drescher named head of networks
Michael Drescher, a former vice president of account management for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee, has been named the director of network communications for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
In this newly created position, Drescher will play a key role in facilitating communication among providers, medical groups and key shareholders. Drescher will assess and analyze the communication process and work flow between BlueCross and the provider community. Drescher also will take an active lead in working with provider organizations such as the Tennessee Hospital Association and the Tennessee Medical Association along with other stakeholder entities.
"A key goal for BlueCross is to deliver the best medical value to our members," said Mark Austin, senior vice president of provider network management for BlueCross. "To accomplish this we need cooperation with a wide range of representatives from across the health care industry, especially as we move toward more collaborative efforts like accountable care organizations. Michael is just the person to bring these key groups together."
Prior to BlueCross and UnitedHealthcare, Drescher worked as the communications director for former Gov. Phil Bredesen as well as the director of public affairs for the Bureau of TennCare. In the private sector he has held leadership positions at McNeely, Pigott & Fox as well as the Ingram Group.
Drescher is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He is also the founding chairman and former board member of Leadership Healthcare, a professional development group with more than 650 members formed in partnership with Nashville Healthcare Council.
Benchmark names regional directors
BenchMark Physical Therapy has promoted David Myers and Walt Porter to the positions of vice president of operations.
In their new jobs, Myers and Porter will have operational oversight with all clinics in the BenchMark Rehab Partners network, including those of BenchMark Physical Therapy, Rehab South and Pro Therapy.
Myers has been with the company for more than 12 years and has been a national manual therapy instructor for Great Lakes for more than 10 years. His area of clinical oversight will include all of Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Porter has been with the company for more than nine years and has led the growth and development in the BenchMark Atlanta region. His area of clinical oversight will include all of Georgia outside of Northwest Georgia.
"David and Walt have established themselves as key leaders on our team and we are excited to have them take on this new opportunity," said Benchmark President Troy Bage said.
Business digest is published every Sunday to highlight career moves and promotions of managers of Chattanooga area companies and agencies. Announcements should be send to Business Editor Dave Flessner at dflessner@times freepress.com or by calling 757-6340.