Business Digest: Melton lands awards

Friday, January 1, 1904

Melton lands awards

Debbie Ledford Melton, general manager/owner of Don Ledford Automotive Center Inc. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, was named Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year by the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

She was recognized for excellence in business and community involvement.

Melton is the 15th individual to receive the Bedwell Small Business Person of the Year award since its renaming to honor the contributions of the late Mel Bedwell and the 20th to receive the award since this recognition program began. Bedwell was a loyal and supportive member of the Small Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce which sponsors Business Development Month.


Lewis cited for achievement

Lisa Lewis, of Ringgold, Ga., a representative of Modern Woodmen of America, has been named to Modern Woodmen's President's Club.

This distinction recognizes Lewis' high achievement in life insurance sales among the organization's representatives nationwide.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America offers financial products and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.


EWKM takes ORNL award

EWKM Network of Chattanooga recently was chosen as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Small Business Subcontractor of the Year.

Electronic Workflow and Knowledge Management Network took the Contracting Division at ORNL from a total paper workflow to a paperless work flow in 90 days, said Tom Carson of EWKM.

This will pay for itself in 10 months and save over a quarter million dollars per year going forward, he said.

EWKM also took the majority of the Business Services Directorate to electronic workflow. Paper use is down about 90 percent and many employees are claiming 25 percent increases in efficiency, Carson said.


ERMC promotes 3

ERMC has promoted three individuals who are playing vital roles in the continued growth and development of the company.

Terry Higdon was promoted to senior vice president and is directing the Security Department. He has been with ERMC since 1993 serving in various roles in the security division of the company.

Jeff C. Brewer was promoted to senior vice president and is directing business development and responsible for the strategic growth, sales and development of the company and all divisions and affiliated companies. He has been with ERMC since 2008.

Ryan Sink was promoted to vice president of the Landscaping Division. He joined ERMC in 2008.

ERMC is a total facility service company based in Chattanooga and employs approximately 5,000 people operating in 39 states providing janitorial, security, landscaping, maintenance, construction and aviation services.


Kovach joins CapitalMark

CapitalMark Bank & Trust has added Jeffrey R. Kovach as the new Risk Management Group head.

In this role, Kovach oversees CapitalMark's audit, compliance and risk management functions and serves on the bank's management committee.

Kovach is a certified public accountant who most recently served as chief financial officer at a bank in Georgia. He is a retired Army major having served in a multitude of positions throughout his military career, including assignments at the Pentagon and Fort Bragg, N.C.

CapitalMark's Chief Executive Officer R. Craig Holley said that enterprise risk management remains top of mind in the banking industry and continues to be an integral component of CapitalMark's culture.


Volkswagen Academy students win competition

Two students currently in the Volkswagen Academy's Automation Mechatronics Program won first place in the Skills USA state competition in the mechatronics category.

Ian Gwaltney and Ryan Womble paired up as a two-person team to solve a simulated production process problem in the Robotic and Automation Technology competition. Teams were given a problem solving exercise to create a flow chart and sequence of operations involving the functions of a robotic workcell. They were judged on efficiency, speed and teamwork.

"We are proud of these students and what they have accomplished," said Ilker Subasi, assistant manager in technical training for Volks-wagen Academy.


Hamilton earns Coldwell Banker recognition

Loye Hamilton of Coldwell Banker Commercial Hamilton & Associates LLC, was named the 2012 Number One Sales Professional in Tennessee for Coldwell Banker Commercial.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Hamilton & Associates provides commercial real estate and property management services to Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.