NOTE: This release was sent from Wackenhut, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—Wackenhut Services’ Oak Ridge Team recently achieved a second place overall finish in the annual Security Protection Officer Training Competition (SPOTC) held at the Department of Energy National Training Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Team was also awarded the prestigious Competitors’ Choice Award, which is voted on by all participants and honors the team with the most professionalism, spirit and sportsmanship.

"We congratulate the Oak Ridge Wackenhut Team on yet another outstanding performance," said Gerald Boyd, Manager of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Office. "The Team's high placement in the competition is indicative of the outstanding work Wackenhut does in Oak Ridge every day."

Ted Sherry, Manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Y-12 Site Office, said, "This is a tough competition -- it requires the very best skills of the security police officers who take part in this annual event. We are very proud of Wackenhut's performance in this competition and appreciate the important work of the men and women who protect our national security assets in Oak Ridge."
The WSI-OR Team was led by coaches Tim Ford and Lynn Bales and captain T.J. Fromberger. Other team members are: Matthew Carroll, Brad Carter, Steve Constant, Tony Stephens and Neal Wolfenbarger.

The competition included DOE security forces, law enforcement agencies, and military units from around the country, in addition to a team of nuclear security professionals from Canada.

Team events included shooting rifles and handguns, pushing vehicles, ascending towers, casualty evacuation, crossing obstacles, and running varying distances. Some stages of the competition required the team to don full-face respirators while negotiating obstacles, shooting, and running.

“Although I am very proud of our Team’s second place-overall performance in this very difficult competition, I feel that the Competitors’ Choice Award is the highest honor a team can be awarded at SPOTC and it is that achievement that I am most proud of,” said John Burleson, WSI-OR General Manager. “Our team’s dedication and professionalism was recognized by their competition and that says a lot about how they conduct themselves and carry out their mission. They should all be very proud of themselves for achieving this excellence.”

Wackenhut and its approximately 1000 employees provide the para-military Protective Force for the Oak Ridge Reservation, which includes the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the East Tennessee Technology Park, the Federal Office Building Complex and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Knox County Health Department is hosting a free quarterly Worksite Wellness Seminar called "Evaluating Wellness Programs" on July 24 from 2 - 4p.m. at the Knox County Health Department community room.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed by contacting Aimee Pehrson at aimee.pehrson@knoxcounty.org or 215-5187.

Southern Graces, a Knoxville Chamber member, is hosting a lecture entitled, "History of the Sunsphere" by William Denton, the architect who designed the Sunsphere.

What? lunch and lecture about the Sunsphere

When? Monday, July 28, 200, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where? Sunsphere--6th floor

Who? Southern Graces & Events Planners provides a delicious lunch.

Public is invited; fee $25 call 865 951 0319 or email Sunspherebook@aol.com.

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.