From submitted press releases
Here’s a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:
The Memphis office of Financial Federal Bank hired Paul Ryan as its senior vice president of Construction Lending. Ryan will focus on the bank’s pipeline of customer relationships fostered by that department. He previously served in the same role for First Bank.
Obsidian Public Relations recently promoted Carlee Smith to account executive and hired Mary-Carter Mullins, Audra Myers and Jenna Witt as account assistants. Smith has been with the firm since 2017, beginning as an intern. She supports and leads client accounts in various industries including hospitality, nonprofit and education. Having started as an intern in 2021, Mullins supports accounts in nonprofit, education and professional services. Myers was brought on to the Obsidian PR team in November and supports accounts in hospitality and tourism, professional services and healthcare. Witt also was brought on to the firm in November, and her accounts include mental health, nonprofit and professional services.
Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston announced Russell A. Hayes has joined the law firm. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, business formation and succession planning, family law, trust and estate administration, probate, conservatorships, and a variety of transactional law. Hayes also practices in the area of elder law. He obtained his juris doctor from the University of Memphis where he was a Herbert Herff Presidential Law Scholar.
Dr. Andrew Griffith, senior associate dean of research for University of Tennessee Health Science Center‘s College of Medicine, was awarded the David D. Coleman Endowed Professorship. Griffith joined the College of Medicine in July 2020 after 22 years at the National Institutes of Health. As senior associate dean of research, Griffith manages the growth of the research enterprise in the college, between departments and across campuses. This honor will aid Griffith in achieving his goals at UTHSC, which include growing the College of Medicine’s research enterprise to enhance the missions of the university and deepening the connection and collaboration among researchers on campus and throughout the state.
Kyla Marsh is the new Events and Marketing coordinator with Shelby Residential and Vocational Services (SRVS), a nonprofit dedicated to providing services to people with disabilities. Prior to joining the Development and Public Relations team, Marsh was the office manager at SRVS Kids Cordova clinic. She’ll be focused on creative events and enhancing community partnerships to raise funds and awareness for the mission of SRVS.
MGM Resorts International announced the appointment of Max Fisher to general manager of Gold Strike Casino Resort. In his new role, Fisher will oversee daily operations and be responsible for Gold Strike’s guest experience, financial performance and team development. Fisher brings more than 20 years of gaming and hospitality experience to Mississippi. He most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of MGM National Harbor in Maryland from its opening in 2016 through January 2022. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno’s Executive Development Program and has served on the board of directors for several organizations including the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the University of Maryland Medical System’s – Capital Region Health.
Carmalita “CC” Carletos-Drayton was elected a member of Baker Donelson‘s board of directors by the firm’s shareholders. A shareholder in the firm’s Memphis office, she represents government entities and corporations that interact with government entities. She is a member of the firm’s Real Estate and Environmental practices. Drayton is a graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a member of the Memphis Bar Association and a graduate of its annual leadership forum as well as a fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and a member of the American Bar Association.
David Ellis was named senior vice president, retail market manager for West Tennessee at First Horizon. Ellis, who joined the company in 2004, will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s banking centers across West Tennessee. He has more than 24 years of experience in the industry and has led teams specializing in Sales & Customer Service Management, Leadership Development and most recently as a Talent Development manager.
Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan announced Jason M. Goldstein has been named a member of the law firm. He focuses his legal practice in the area of civil litigation, including contract disputes and negotiations, landlord-tenant matters, personal injury, in addition to business and commercial law, probate administration and estate planning. Goldstein received his law degree from the University of Miami. He served as a law clerk at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands.
NOTEWORTHY
Baker Donelson has achieved ISO 27001 certification, an internationally recognized certification for information security management. It indicates the firm is in compliance with international standards regarding utilization of best practices, ongoing governance and management of information systems to ensure the security of client and firm data. Baker Donelson was awarded this certification by BSI, a leading provider of business improvement solutions.
Crye-Leike Real Estate Services experienced its best year in company history, generating $8.9 billion in sales volume and closing 32,499 transactions in 2021. This resulted in a 19% sales increase from 2020. Despite low inventory, Crye-Leike averaged 90 sales per day for 365 days of the year.
As part of its ongoing commitment to diversity, Tennessee law firm Lewis Thomason P.C. has established the Lewis Thomason Diversity Scholarship at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. This is the second such scholarship the firm has established in recent years. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who meets at least one of the following criteria: a first-generation college graduate, a graduate of a historically minority undergraduate institution, a socio-economically disadvantaged student or a member of a historically under-represented group.
— Compiled by Daniel Ginsburg
Email information and photos in JPEG format for People in Business to cabiznews@commercialappeal.com.
