NOTE: This release was sent from Coulter & Justus, P.C., a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Sam Coulter, one of the founders and President of Coulter & Justus, P.C., has announced the promotion of Rob Wildi to Audit Principal.

Mr. Wildi serves as the firm’s scheduler for all audit engagements and is responsible for clients from a variety of industries including healthcare, wholesale, restaurants, coal mining and nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Wildi began his accounting career in 1995 after receiving his B.S. degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University. Rob also holds a Masters degree in Professional Accounting from West Virginia University. He joined Coulter & Justus in 1998.

ABOUT COULTER & JUSTUS: The firm that is now Coulter & Justus, P.C. began in the 1930's in Knoxville, Tennessee. From the 1950's to 1993, the firm was the Knoxville office of the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young. In 1993, Ernst & Young partners, Sam Coulter and Ron Justus, acquired the Knoxville practice and changed the name to Coulter & Justus, P.C.

NOTE: This release was sent by LBMC, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), is pleased to announce the following promotions for the firm’s year beginning June 1, 2008 – all are located in the Knoxville office.

Marianne Nichols, CPA has been promoted to a Senior Manager in tax. Marianne was previously a Manager in the division.

Rebecca (Becca) Krumdieck, CPA has been promoted to a Manager in tax. Becca was previously a Supervising Senior in the division.

Kelly Fitzpatrick, CPA has been promoted to a Senior in tax. Kelly was previously a staff accountant in the division.

Jessica Stanford has been promoted to a Senior in audit. Jessica previously held a staff position in the division.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.

NOTE: This release was sent from Capital Mark Bank & Trust, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

CapitalMark Bank & Trust has signed a lease on office space located in The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse located at 501 West Main Street. CapitalMark established a full service banking office in Knoxville in November of 2007.
Currently, CapitalMark is located across the street at 550 West Main on the 5th Floor. “We wanted to be in the heart of Knoxville’s financial district because of our distinct business model “, said CapitalMark City Executive Jim Vavalides. According to Mr. Vavalides, “The CapitalMark model focuses on owner managed businesses and the executive and professional segments. Basing customer needs at the center of all activities empowers a highly skilled and experienced team. Our Banking Teams can make decisions on the spot without the level of bureaucracy found at many banks.”

This distinct business model has afforded CapitalMark some prestigious rankings and milestones in the financial market. In March of 2007, CapitalMark raised a record breaking $35 million in capital before opening their doors, within six months CapitalMark surpassed $100 million is assets and today has total assets of over $250 million. CapitalMark was ranked 5th in the nation among all 2007 start-up banks in total asset growth.
“I’m pleased that CapitalMark Bank and Trust is establishing its offices in one of downtown’s landmark buildings, the old U.S. Post Office and Courthouse,” said Mayor Bill Haslam.
“I think CapitalMark will be a great addition to that historic building, a great neighbor downtown and I wish them well,” he added.
Sam Furrow with Furrow Services owns the historic property and leased the space to CapitalMark. “I think this confirms the resurgence to downtown Knoxville and importance of a healthy downtown to the community. CapitalMark is investing and committed to the Knoxville community by locating downtown” said Mr. Furrow.
When asked about when CapitalMark will occupy the space, Mr. Vavalides said, “The plan is to be fully operational in the new facility by January 2, 2009.”

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) commissioner Gerald Nicely feels SmartFIX40 is going as well as can be expected. He says the project’s success can be attributed to everyone in the region and he offered his appreciation to the Knoxville community and to those in attendance at a recent Premier Partner breakfast.

“TDOT wouldn’t have been able to get this project off to the great start it’s off to without the support we’ve received from city of Knoxville officials, Knox County officials, the Knoxville business community, and local citizens,” he said.

Commissioner Nicely credited the organization’s community and outreach team for its extensive public awareness campaign that helped educate citizens about impending changes.

“In order for projects as large as these to be successful, you have to have a major public outreach program in place,” said Nicely. “Quite frankly, I think people in this area are sick of hearing about the changes.”

But that’s good. It means that the public is well aware of the project and how to travel to and through downtown Knoxville.

Bell and Associates Construction, L.P., sponsored the breakfast. Bell is overseeing the reconstruction project, the largest project in the state’s history.
“One of our main objectives when we began looking into construction companies to complete the project was making sure we had a construction team capable of doing the job,” Nicely said. “I think Bell and Associates very well may finish ahead of schedule due to the extensive preliminary work completed.”

The SmartFIX40 project, with its shutdown of two and a half miles of interstate 40 in downtown Knoxville, is expected to save two to three years of construction compared to traditional projects. The entire project entails road improvements to Hall of Fame Drive and I-40, the reconfiguring of James White Parkway, the addition of new interchanges and exit ramps, and the widening of I-40 from four lanes to six.

In addition to updating members of the Chamber on reconstruction efforts, Nicely addressed state allocated funds for TDOT that have been cut $237.7 million since December 2005. Stagnating state revenues and increasing costs, about three times revenue, are to blame. Nicely says TDOT will look into the use of toll roads throughout the state as potential remedies. The proposed “Orange Route” beltway that would connect interstate 75 (I-75) southwest of Knoxville with I-75 north of the city would be a candidate. Without a toll system the project would take 25 years to complete. Making it a toll road would allow for completion in seven to eight years.

“We are going to have to find new ways of financing our infrastructure, somehow, some way,” Nicely said. “There are 20,000 plus bridges in Tennessee that are continually aging. We are at work on studying options for alternative financing.”

Commissioner Nicely did report, however, the state is positioned better than most states because it is not in debt.

Mike Edwards, president and CEO of the Chamber, said that East Tennessee’s interstate system needs to be developed and maintained properly.
“It is very important that this region capitalizes on the fact that I-40, I-75, and I-81 converge here,” Edwards said at the event. “The interstates offer businesses the ability to conveniently ship goods and serve clients. There are cities and locations that would love to have a location similar to ours.”
To find out more about Premier Partner events, contact Michelle Kiely at 865.637.4550

If only this drive to work included a quick opportunity to increase my important network portfolio!

Most members of the Knoxville business community have similarly expressed a similar thought while racing to the office. The Chamber’s a.m. Exchange offers a remedy.

“July’s a.m. Exchange at Rothchild Catering on Kingston Pike is an opportunity for members to get their day started early,” says Mark Field, Vice President of Membership. “The event will occur before business hours and it will allow members a chance to meet area businesspeople. It will give everyone who attends the opportunity to network, to build relationships, and the chance to gain business before the business day begins.”

What’s more, Chamber a.m. Exchange events allow businesspeople the opportunity to build relationships that help fellow businesspeople understand the philosophy of their business. It affords a venue to talk about what’s going on in the areas business community.

“Networking is more than collecting business cards,” says Field. “It’s about meeting people who can help refer your business to others. It’s also about meeting people you can build a trustworthy relationship with. It becomes a huge bonus for companies that have four or five other businesses in their network that continually refer business their way.”

The Chamber hosts a.m. Exchanges throughout the community. The Chamber organizes these events in different areas of Knoxville so that it is more convenient for businesspeople in different parts of the community to attend. Attendees can enjoy a cup of coffee, interact with other members of the business community, and still get to work on time. a.m. Exchanges, held at least every other month, attract an average of 150 local businesspeople per event.

July’s a.m. Exchange will take place at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Everyone in the Knoxville business community is invited to attend these fantastic early-morning networking opportunities that are catered specifically for Chamber members. For more information or to register call the events hotline at 246-2622 or visit the Events calendar.

Campbell’s Pool & Spa hosted the Knoxville Chamber’s Business After Hours on May 20th. Over 200 members of the Knoxville business community attended the event, which was a terrific opportunity to meet and mingle with other businesspeople and to develop some new business contacts.

“I think the event went really well,” said Campbell’s Pool & Spa general manager Gin Barringer. “We were pleased with the turnout and we think everyone had a great time, so we’re happy.”

Barringer said the event allowed company employees the opportunity to communicate with the Knoxville business community. She also feels the gathering offered attendees more than just a networking avenue.

“We felt like people were able to explore what they could do with their backyard,” she said. “Attending the event may have given some people new ideas for increasing the look of their property.”

The event’s location proved to be an excellent venue to host the Chamber’s Business After Hours’ reception. The showroom and service center includes several fully functioning pools and whirlpools. Attendees were able to see the products and maybe even image what they might look like in their own backyards.

“The full-size pool and its large veranda provided the perfect opportunity for our members to build relationships,” said Mark Field, Knoxville Chamber Vice President of Membership.

Sheree Slagle, Campbell’s Pool & Spa office administrator, addressed attendees and thanked them for attending. She also offered special discounts on spas for Chamber members.

Door prizes were awarded at the Campbell’s Pool & Spa Business After Hours.

The winners were:
Ralph Grubb, Humana MarketPoint and Brandi Reilly, Around Town – Knoxville Lifestyle Books, courtesy of the Knoxville Chamber
Beverly LeMasurier, Volunteer Princess – Waterproof MP3 Player, courtesy of Campbell’s Pool & Spa

The Knox County Healthy Weight Program is sponsoring an information session to discuss a new tool in the education and support of people with diabetes.

Discussion will focus on the prevalence, treatment and complications associated with diabetes and self-management. It will also educate attendees about how the Healthy Weight Program can support diabetics' self-treatment.

The event will be held in the community room at the Knox County Health Department on July 15 from noon to 3 p.m.

You can register for the event before July 1 by visiting their website or by calling Aimee Pehrson at (865) 215-5187.

For the full brochure, please: download the flier.

Note: This release was sent from LBMC.

LBMC Employment Partners, LLC, a member of the LBMC (Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC) Family of Companies, has added Emily E. Ledford in its Knoxville office.

Emily Ledford has joined LBMC Employment Partners, LLC as an HR Assistant. In her new role, Emily will provide assistance to clients as well as internal support in the area of human resource consulting. Emily previously worked as a special events specialist for Helen Ross McNabb Center and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She previously served as an Ambassador for the Knoxville Chamber and continues to serve as an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Emily enjoys reading and leading a bible study for a group of middle school girls.

LBMC Employment Partners, LLC, is a leading human resources consulting firm with offices in Nashville (Brentwood), Knoxville, and Chattanooga, Tenn. LBMC Employment Partners provides a complete menu of human resources products and services including Professional Employer Organization (PEO), human resources consulting, regulatory compliance, health and employee benefits, workers’ compensation, COBRA, payroll and tax compliance, Section 125 plans and unemployment insurance claims. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.

NOTE: This release was sent by Corporate Quarters, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Sherry Williams, Founder and President of Corporate Quarters, is retiring after 14 years of building a solid reputation in the corporate housing industry. Kim Lawhorn, who has worked side-by-side with Sherry for the past ten years, has purchased the company. Lawhorn vows to continue the business with the same goals, and vision, Sherry has continually had through the years: MAKING EACH AND EVERY GUEST FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.

For travelers who have single locale extended stays for a week or longer; there is an alternative to hotel living. This alternative is “CORPORATE QUARTERS.” The company is a local, woman owned, business with its main goal being: ‘YOUR COMFORT!’

Whether guests are relocating for their company, have been displaced from their homes due to fire or flood, vacationing, or in between real estate transactions; it's nice to have a sense of home, while away from home. Corporate Quarters is here to help. Those who stay in the fully furnished apartments will find all the comforts of home. A full size, fully equipped, kitchen, where favorite meals can be prepared, is located in each apartment. Convenient washers and dryers are also in each apartment, as is plenty of room to entertain family and friends.

“In the big scheme of things, a corporate apartment can be more economically friendly than a hotel,” says Lawhorn. “When compared to the costs of extended stay hotels, our apartment homes allow large savings for employers. Furthermore, any of our one, two or three bedroom, fully furnished, apartment homes gives our guests comfort.”

Corporate Quarters realizes many of its guests would be lost without their four-legged friends; the corporate apartment community invites pets. A few breed restrictions are in force but Corporate Quarters is happy to accommodate most household companions.

“Other plusses corporate apartment living provides are more space and available resort style amenities,” Williams says. “Our guests reside in a quiet, residential apartment community where their neighbors are permanent residents rather than ever-changing hotel guests. This neighborhood atmosphere is important to many people new to the area. Being a part of our apartment community gives our residents comfort because they know each member of the community has certain criteria that has to be met prior to becoming a resident.“

Corporate Quarters is worth checking out for those who plan to be in the area a week, a month or even a year. Corporate Quarters invites you to take a tour of their community by visiting their website at www.knoxcorporateapts.com

Those that enjoy what they see, via the internet, are invited to contact the company for a personal tour anytime. Janice Graves, Corporate Quarters Business Development, would love to assist anyone needing more information about locations, accommodations, and corporate discount plans.

NOTE: This release was sent from the American Heart Association.

Knoxville area residents will embark on a 5K (3.1 mile) walk to raise lifesaving funds for the American Heart Association and this year, they’ll also be encouraged to start a journey to a healthier lifestyle — with the Start! program. The American Heart Association has reengineered its signature walking event into the Start! Heart Walk to be its “mission in action” and is proud to name Joe Landsman, President and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, chairman of the walk in Greater Knoxville. Landsman holds various community leadership positions across Knox County and has worked for The University of Tennessee Medical Center since 1999.

The Start! Heart Walk will be held on Saturday, November 15 at Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. Under Landsman’s leadership, the event is designed to create a stronger community among participants, instill passion for reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and generate excitement for a new or renewed commitment to heart-healthy living through walking and eating well.

The Start! Heart Walk is one of four components of the year-round Start! movement. Other components include a free Web-based fitness and nutrition tracker and The Start! Walking Program for companies. Additionally, the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Recognition Program officially recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity in the workplace. In East Tennessee, the only company to date to earn this award is Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which also earned the Association’s Innovative Workplace Award. Currently, more than 70 percent of Americans are not getting enough physical activity, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
“The Start! Heart Walk is an outstanding opportunity for the American Heart Association and the community to come together and focus on creating a culture promoting a healthier lifestyle that’s aimed at reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke right here in our region,” Landsman said. “I’m proud to have the chance to serve as chair of the Greater Knoxville walk and I hope that through this event, we can begin to change lifestyles, resulting in improved quality of life, increased productivity and decreased healthcare costs.”

The Start! Heart Walk is a community-wide event composed of corporate walk teams, friends and family teams, individual walkers, “lifestyle heroes” who’ve made positive changes to reduce heart disease and stroke risk factors and survivors of the diseases. The fun begins at 9:00 a.m., featuring a Create Hope Village, Inspire Change Village and Celebrate Success Village. There will also be a kid’s area, healthy refreshments, music and more. The walk itself begins at 10:00 a.m.

For further information about the Start! Heart Walk, call (865) 212-6500 or visit www.americanheart.org/greaterknoxvilleheartwalk. To learn more about the Start! movement, visit www.heart.org/start.

National sponsors are SUBWAY®, Healthy Choice® and AstraZeneca. Start! Media sponsors of the Start! Heart Walk are WVLT VOLUNTEER TV, B-97.5, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Knoxville Magazine and The Metro Pulse with additional support from the Knoxville Convention Center.