Business Digest: Dr. Barbara Smith selected associate CMO

Dr. Barbara Smith selected associate CMO

photo Dr. Barbara Smith

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has selected Dr. Barbara Easterling Smith as associate chief medical officer for all its lines of business. In this role, Smith will collaborate with the provider community. She will provide leadership for the BlueCross teams and drive processes that improve clinical quality and member health. Smith will report to Dr. Andrea Willis, BlueCross' chief medical officer.

"Barbara's contributions to our government programs resulted in improved review processes and greater operational efficiency, which ultimately means better care for our members," said Willis. "She has the clinical and business insight to help drive BlueCross's quality efforts for improved member health."

Smith joined BlueCross in 2009 as the medical director for government programs. In that role she oversaw clinical operations and medical management functions for BlueCare Tennessee and Cover Tennessee. Prior to joining BlueCross, Smith worked as a board certified family physician with 20 years' experience in direct patient care as a primary care physician and medical practice owner and six years' experience in health plan medical management. She also has experience as a medical director in the areas of home health, hospice and onsite employee health facilities.

Smith received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi, School of Medicine, and her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Tougaloo College.


photo Markietta Munck

Munck moves to THDA

Markietta Munck, owner of Re/Max Experience in Cleveland, Tenn., recently accepted a position on the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) Realtor Advisory Board.

THDA, the state housing finance agency, developed the Realtor Advisory Board to serve as a forum for industry professionals to identify and advise THDA on key issues, program policies and concerns that affect homeownership across the state. The board consists of five members from each grand division of the state for a total of 15 advisors.

In 2013, Munck received the Real Trends Best Real Estate Agent in America award and has received other noteworthy professional accolades including the 2011 THDA top selling agent for the state of Tennessee award. She hopes to use her knowledge and experience to grow and expand the impact of THDA mortgage production around the state and to represent the needs of the Southeast Tennessee real estate market on the state level.

"I am honored to serve the Tennessee Housing Development Agency as they impact people's lives by making it possible for many to become homeowners, who otherwise would not necessarily be able to," said Munck. "I look forward to a great year."


Janeway, Garmany join Metalworking Solutions

Metalworking Solutions announced today that Josh Janeway and Kenneth Garmany have joined the company as quality manager and director of business development, respectively. Janeway has eight years of experience leading ISO efforts in various organizations, and Garmany has over 20 years in the metal fabrication industry in marketing and selling fabrication services throughout the Southeast.

"Metalworking Solutions is pleased to welcome these two veterans to our team," said Nick Burrows, vice president and general manager. "We have worked hard in establishing a high performance character driven culture throughout the organization over the past seven years. Kenneth and Josh are a perfect fit for our culture and will do well. Josh has already begun our ISO accreditation journey and Kenneth is quickly establishing our business development department. We are looking forward to achieving our ISO certification later this year and reaching new levels of sales performance through Kenneth's leadership."

"With the arrival of Josh and Kenneth and the recent promotion of Bob Payne to Customer Service Manager, Metalworking Solutions is poised to continue our steady march toward our 2020 objectives," said Bill Hewgley, president of Metalworking Solutions. I've had many occasions to be proud of our team during the past seven years. I am just as proud now to see that we are able to attract professionals with character and competence away from much larger organizations to join us in building the next great 100-year-old employee and family-owned manufacturing company in America."


Simmons named in Top 10

Simmons Insurance and Financial Services, of Dunlap, Tenn., has been named one of the Top 10 growth agencies for the company in the state of Tennessee for 2013. The agency was recognized at a luncheon meeting in Brentwood, Tenn., and at a reception with all regional associates where they and other recipients were presented with a plaque recognizing their accomplishment. Simmons Insurance and Financial Services has represented Auto-Owners Insurance.

Katie Noirot, executive vice president of Auto-Owners, thanked the agency for its support and its business.

"Their growth and support only help to make the entire community stronger and more secure. We are grateful they choose to do business with us," Noirot said.


photo John Jordi

Jordi joins BenchMark

BenchMark Physical Therapy has added John Jordi, PTA, to its Chattanooga team. The announcement was made by Evelyne Burtis, regional director for BenchMark. "John brings great experience and exceptional skills for treating lymphedema to the area," Burtis said. Jordi's extensive knowledge in treating lymphedema will be an asset to BenchMark and the residents of Chattanooga, she said.

Jordi earned his PTA degree in 1993 from St. Catherine's College in Minneapolis, and his certification as an MLD/CDT therapist in 1999 from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. Since then, he has devoted his outpatient practice to full-time lymphedema treatment as well as developing and managing a specialized inpatient program for Stage 3 lymphedema patients. In 2007, Jordi joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor, completed instructor training in 2008 and is now on the faculty and a Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies.

Jordi's interest in lymphedema extends to patient advocacy and community education. He organizes and facilitates a bimonthly educational support group, and he initiated an endowment fund to assist patients with the cost of compression garments. Jordi is a member of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and has presented at professional and patient conferences. In addition, he is a principal investigator in ongoing lymphedema research at Vanderbilt University and recently published in Radiology medical journal.


BioBased Technologies relocates

BioBased Technologies® LLC, a leader in the sales and marketing of Agrol®, a bio-based family of polyols used in manufacturing, has relocated its laboratory to Dalton, Ga. Ken Mitchell, BioBased Technologies chief technical officer, said the company opted to move its lab from Arkansas to Dalton, Ga., in order to be closer to a number of its customers.

"BioBased Technologies has always provided outstanding technical support to our customers," said Mitchell. "This move will enable us to service their needs on an even timelier basis. In addition, this new location will allow us to get more immediate feedback from our customers while providing personalized technical support." Mitchell will manage the Dalton facility.

"We are excited that BioBased Technologies chose to locate in Whitfield County," said Andrew Carnes, vice president of economic development at the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce. "They are doing incredible work in the area of sustainability for their customers, and it's anticipated that this move will only increase their relationships with their customer base. They also bring a diverse industry to our community which we welcome."

The 7,500-square-foot laboratory will begin operation April 15 and is located at 634 S. Glenwood Place, Dalton, Ga. According to Mitchell, BioBased Technologies plans to add 15 to 20 jobs over the next couple of years in the facility. The jobs will include chemical engineers, chemists and lab technicians.

Upcoming Events