Biz Briefs: TVA energy funds help four colleges

Friday, January 1, 1904

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TVA energy funds help four colleges

Cleveland State Community College and three other East Tennessee college campuses are taking part in a new Tennessee Valley Authority program to improve energy efficiency and conservation awareness.

The EnergyRight Solutions for Higher Education program, funded by TVA and its distributors, pays for energy audit training, college internships, online energy tracking tools and other programs at Cleveland State, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, East Tennessee State University and Maryville College.

Stone Services sold, renamed

Premier Surfaces, an Atlanta-based stone fabrication company, has acquired Stone Services in Chattanooga. Located at 2601 E. 34th St., the 7-year-old maker and distributor of Tennessee granite countertops has been renamed Premier Surfaces.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone," said Eric Tryon, owner of Premier Surfaces who was named one of Atlanta's top 25 entrepreneurs last year by Business to Business magazine. "We felt this operation already met so many of our high standards for quality fabrication and superior customer service."

American, US Airways close to merger

The CEO of American Airlines' parent AMR Corp. is in talks about becoming chairman if his company merges with US Airways.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a deal between the two airlines could be close, but AMR Chairman and CEO Thomas Horton's future in a merged airline still is in flux. He could wind up in some other role such as vice chairman, if there is a merger. US Airways Group Inc. has proposed that its chairman and CEO, Doug Parker, run the combined company, which would rival United as the world's biggest airline.

US Airways has been pushing a merger since shortly after AMR filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2011, but Horton has resisted the idea. He wanted to restructure his company and exit from bankruptcy before considering a merger.