Business Digest: McCurdy, Rice join Miller & Martin

photo Mary Lee Rice
photo Bibber S. McCurdy

McCurdy, Rice join Miller & Martin

Miller & Martin PLLC has announced an expansion of their practice development office. In August, Mary Lee Rice was appointed director of practice development to oversee firm-wide business development and marketing. She will provide strategic direction to the firm's practice groups and regional business development committees.

Rice moved to Chattanooga in 2012 after serving as associate vice president for finance and administration with the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and as a two- term city councilor. She brings more than 25 years of executive management and business development experience to Miller & Martin.

In January, Miller & Martin hired Bibber S. McCurdy as Practice Development Manager for its Chattanooga office. She will work with Rice on business development, marketing strategies and branding.

McCurdy brings more than 14 years of experience in strategic healthcare marketing and international law firm business development to Miller & Martin. She serves on committees for several local nonprofit organizations and is involved in various charitable associations. "Mary Lee and Bibber share a wealth of skills and strategic insight that will be integral to Miller & Martin's practice development efforts and our internal and external business relationships," stated Jim Haley, firm chairman.


Shaner Hotel honors top employees

Shaner Hotel honored employees at the Annual Shaner General Manager and Director of Sales Conference recently held at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown Hotel in Chattanooga. These awards, based on standards set by Shaner and the lodging industry, highlight the achievement of Shaner employees who deliver best practices in their industry during the 2013 year.

Tom Underwood, general manager of the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown Hotel received the award for General Manager of the Year. In 2013, Mr. Underwood exceeded the performance set in 2012 for revenue per available room, overall revenue to budget, sales productivity, guest satisfaction scores and leadership criteria. Underwood has been with Marriott and Shaner for the past two years.

Mary Childress, director of sales of the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown Hotel received the award for Director of Sales of the Year. Childress exceeded the sales, growth, profitability and customer satisfaction and growth goals and criteria in 2013. Childress has been an employee at the Chattanooga Marriott Downtown Hotel for the past 25 years.


photo Bill Acuff
photo Daniel Barber

Acuff and Barber certified auditors

Decosimo accountants Bill Acuff and Daniel Barber have earned the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation awarded by The Institute of Internal Auditors.

Acuff serves as the director of forensic accounting and internal audit services with Decosimo Advisory Services, while Barber is an assurance supervisor with Decosimo. Both also are licensed certified public accountants. Acuff is a chartered global management accountant, and he is certified in financial forensics (CFF). He also holds a CFE credential as a certified fraud examiner.

The CIA designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes for businesses and organizations.

"Part of the responsibility we have as a firm is to encourage our associates to pursue continuing education opportunities that will help us in further strengthening the services we can offer to our clients," said Nick Decosimo, firm-wide managing principal.


Aldridge hired as producer

photo Roger Aldridge

BB&T has hired Roger Aldridge as a commercial insurance producer, based at 735 Broad St. Aldridge brings more than 20 years in the commercial insurance industry to his new role. The Lexington, Ky., native earned his bachelor's degree in business from Ole Miss.


Mosquito Squad wins top honor

photo Brad Ledford

Brad Ledford, local franchise owner of Mosquito Squad, was recently honored at company's annual meeting, winning a 2013 Excellence in Client Service award. The award recognizes above and beyond customer based on feedback from clients.

"I am thrilled to be given the Excellence in Client Service award. I've always treated my clients the way I would want to be treated and train my employees to do the same," says Ledford.

Mosquito Squad provides mosquito and tick control in Hamilton and Bradley counties. Their traditional mosquito barrier spray protects properties from mosquitoes for up to 21 days.Ledford, a Red Bank High School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate, has owned Mosquito Squad since 2010.


Crye-Leike welcomes Barnette

photo Terry Barnette

After a decade spent helping hundreds of home buyers and seller, Cleveland, Tenn., Realtor Terry Barnette has joined Crye-Leike Realtors in the Cleveland branch office. Prior to joining Crye-Leike, Terry worked with Century 21st Choice Realtors, and he also previously owned and operated a REMAX franchise from 2006 to 2011.

Barnette is licensed Realtor in Tennessee, assisting buyers and sellers in and around Bradley, Polk, Meigs, Hamilton and McMinn counties. He specializes in residential real estate sales and working with first time homebuyers.

"I have successfully been selling real estate in Bradley County and surrounding areas for 10 years," said Barnette. "I love technology and how it has become so beneficial for both me and my real estate clients. I'm excited about how the technology tools at Crye-Leike are going to assist me in marketing properties and representing my clients in a more efficient manner."

Barnette is a member of the River Counties Association of Realtors, the Tennessee Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

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