Business Digest: Law firm relocates to Krystal building

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Law firm relocates to Krystal building

The Chattanooga-based law firm of Luther-Anderson, PLLP will move its office to the Krystal Building this weekend. Tom Horne, managing partner for the nine-attorney practice, said the Krystal building at M.L. King Bouelvard and Broad Street "is in the heart of downtown with close proximity to state and federal courts, as well as to all of the great amenities that downtown has to offer."

Luther Anderson, a 40-year-old firm started by Bill Luther and Sam Anderson, will lease 7,000 square feet, or about half of the 7th floor, in the Krystal building. The space was previously occupied by the accounting firm of LBMC, which recently relocated to the Liberty Tower. The Krystal Building is owned and managed by Luken Holdings, Inc.

Luther Anderson will open in its new offices on Dec. 9.


Blair picked as FSG Bank senior VP

photo Milton Blair has joined FSG Bank as a Senior Vice President and Director of FSG Business Credit.

FSG Bank has chosen Milton Blair as a senior vice president and director of FSG Business Credit.

Blair brings more than 25 years of banking experience to his new position managing the bank's asset-based lending activities to small- and mid-sized businesses.

Asset-based loans are used to meet various cash flow needs of growing companies, such as payroll, managing receivables, or building inventory. Blair has an extensive business credit background developed during his tenure leading these activities at First American National Bank, Commercial Capital Inc., and Community Business Finance Inc.

Mike Kramer, FSG Bank's chief executive officer, said that sophisticated business credit and monitored lending services are sorely missing from the product offering of most community banks today.


Claire joins DeMoss Capital as analyst

Annea Claire has joined DeMoss Capital Inc. as an investment analyst.

DeMoss Capital is an independent, fee-only wealth management firm. It is a registered investment advisor that takes a holistic approach to financial planning and investment management. DeMoss Capital works with affluent individuals and families to help them achieve their financial objectives.

Claire is an analyst on the investment team. She assists in trading, investment implementation and identifying opportunities for clients' financial goals.

She moved back to the Chattanooga area after working for 10 years in New York City at several well known wealth management firms and hedge funds.


Ruby Falls wins tourism award

The Southeast Tourism Society presented Ruby Falls with the Tourism for Tomorrow Award during its Shining Example awards banquet. The award honors the attraction as a leader in sustainable tourism efforts.

It was noted that Ruby Falls has saved almost 1 million pounds of carbon dioxide due to its solar panel installation in 2009. This has offset the use of about 51,000 gallons of gasoline - the equivalent of about 5,300 round trips from Ruby Falls to Atlanta.

Ruby Falls is home to a 145-foot waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain.


Morning Pointe names new director

photo Will Otis is the new executive director for Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove. Writer:

Independent Healthcare Properties LLC and Morning Pointe Assisted Living announced that Will Otis is the new executive director for Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove.

Otis first began with Morning Pointe in its executive director-in-training program learning the assisted living and The Lantern Alzheimer's memory care programs. He worked in several Morning Pointe communities in various roles to learn how each position contributes to overall facility operations.

The executive director-in-training program at Morning Pointe is committed to training dedicated young professionals who want to work in the senior living industry. They gain understanding of the qualifications and acquire the skills necessary to become a successful executive director.

"We are very pleased to have Will on board as executive director at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove," said Franklin Farrow, chief operating officer of IHP and Morning Pointe. "His dedication to enriching the lives of our residents and helping them continue to have meaning and purpose is an admirable skill that makes Will the perfect addition to our Morning Pointe team."


Walker Chamber chooses board

The Walker County Chamber of Commerce has chosen board members for 2014.

Executive board members will be Gary Woods (Bank of Chickamauga), Chair; Melissa Roden (Memorial Health Care System), Chair-Elect; PR Cook (Shop-Rite), Vice-Chair; Chris Davis (Chris Davis - RE/MAX Real Estate Center), Treasurer; Bobby Teems (Teems & Teems Insurance and Realty), Secretary; and Sherry Foster (City of Rossville), Immediate Past Chair.

Those elected to the general board are Keith Barclift (Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority), Lynne Cawthorne (Community National Bank), David Gottlieb (Attorney), Penny Grigg (Nissin Brake Georgia, Inc.), Robert Hart (Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast), Angie Ingram (Walker County Department of Education), Gretchen Neal (Cohutta Banking Company), Elijah Parker (First Volunteer Bank), Evitte Parrish (Capital Bank), Chip Rogers (Jimmy Simpson Foundation), Cindy Scoggins (The Bank of LaFayette), Scott Skinner (Georgia Power Company), Brittany Sprayberry (Express Employment Professionals), Wil Stiles (Flegal Insurance, Inc.), Karen Walker (Walker County Government), Shannon Whitfield (Whitfield Oil Company, Inc.), and Lacey Wilson (Blood Assurance).


Area hotel named best property

The Howard Johnson Spring City hotel has been recognized as Property of the Year and Guest Satisfaction Leader in the U.S. by the Howard Johnson hotel brand, placing it among the best in the brand's global portfolio of nearly 450 hotels.

To be eligible for the awards, a hotel must have contributed to leading the Howard Johnson brand in performance, particularly in the areas of revenue, quality evaluations, Wyndham Rewards member enrollments and guest satisfaction.

"The Howard Johnson Spring City represents every aspect of what a Howard Johnson hotel should be," said John Valletta, Howard Johnson brand president.