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MISSION TRAIL BAPTIST HOSPITAL IS FIRST LEED GOLD ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL IN TEXAS

February 02, 2012
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Mission Trail Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas is the first acute-care hospital in the state of Texas to achieve LEED® Gold and the first hospital in the city of San Antonio to achieve LEED certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

“Though LEED certification is becoming more common, it is still making its way into the healthcare design sector due to the unique requirements of hospitals,” said Eric Sheffer with SSRCx, the LEED consultant on the project. “Mission Trail not only met those requirements but was certified under the LEED v2009 standards, which are more stringent in several areas than previous LEED versions.”

Baptist Health System’s newest hospital, Mission Trail is located at Brooks City-Base, San Antonio’s premier center for bioscience, academic, environmental and technical research. Brooks City-Base is the nation’s first-and-only city-base, the result of a unique partnership between the United States Air Force and the City of San Antonio, which allows for the redevelopment of the former Brooks Air Force Base property.

The site was issued a Ready for Reuse permit by the EPA due to the remediation efforts that were undertaken prior to development. Based on the selection of a previously developed site, provisions for alternative transportation, community connectivity and stormwater design, the project achieved 21 of 26 possible points for sustainable sites. It provides access to city bus lines and sidewalk access to retail goods and services and residential areas.

Mission Trail was a collaborative process among Vanguard Health System, Baptist Health System, architecture firm Earl Swenson Associates, general contractors Brasfield and Gorrie, and commissioning firm SSRCx, which provided LEED and measurement and verification consultation and energy modeling.

The project team utilized “triple bottom line” principles in making decisions for the facility, which factors in the economics, environmental, and social impacts of a building. These principles help to safeguard the patients and staff at the facility, surrounding community, and the financial well-being of Mission Trail.
The facility has the potential to save up to $150,000 in energy costs, and 1.1 million gallons of potable water per year. Some of the sustainable features include:

• Building materials were harvested and manufactured within 500 miles of the build site. In all, 34 percent of the construction materials were local/regional to San Antonio. Additionally, 21 percent of building materials had high recycled content.
• Water-efficient features including an irrigation system that utilizes graywater and high-efficiency indoor plumbing fixtures.
• A 10 kW solar array is installed on the project to reduce the electrical demand on the power grid, save electrical costs, and promote the use of renewable energy.
• Mission Trail Baptist Hospital has purchased 10,696,000 kWh of Renewable Energy Credits for the first two years of operation, in order to promote the generation of renewable energy by utility providers.

About SSRCx
SSRCx, a division of Smith Seckman Reid, is a leading LEED consulting, energy modeling, and facilities commissioning provider. The company works with project teams to deliver higher performing and more sustainable facilities. SSRCx provides commissioning services at any stage of a project, from design to completion, including facilities that have been built and running for a significant amount of time. SSRCx is ranked 6th on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer “Cx Giants” list. To learn more, visit www.ssrcx.com.

About SSR
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 15 offices and more than 40 years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and infrastructure projects. In 2011, SSR was ranked first in the ZweigWhite “Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firm To Work For” among firms with more than 300 employees. SSR is ranked 11th on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer “MEP Giants” list and 6th on its “Cx Giants” list. To learn more, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

METRO ARTS ANNOUNCES SIX ARTISTS TO CREATE "WATERMARKS" PUBLIC ART TO COMMEMORATE 2010 FLOOD

January 24, 2012
Nashville, Tenn. – Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) has announced the selection of six artists for the upcoming public art project, Watermarks, a multi-site installation commemorating the neighborhood impact and citizen response of the historic 2010 floods.

The Arts Commission granted final approval to the following list of artists:

Michael Allison (Joelton, Tenn.)
Lee and Betty Benson (Jackson, Tenn.)
Derek Coté (Nashville)
Christopher Fennell (Birmingham, Ala.)
Buddy Jackson (Nashville)
Craig Nutt (Kingston Springs, Tenn.).

The Watermarks selection process began in 2011 with a regional (250-mile radius) call for artist qualifications (RFQ), followed by a review of submissions by a citizen selection panel and approval by the Public Art Committee prior to final approval by the Arts Commission. Installation for the six pieces is expected in the summer of 2013.

“This public art installation is a fitting way to commemorate how the Nashville community generously responded to the countless needs of friends, neighbors and even strangers during the 2010 floods,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “Our collective stories of the flood will be available for generations to come through the interpretations of these artists.”

Metro Arts announced a series of community meetings in February where the Watermarks project artists will meet with neighborhood residents where the art will be installed. The locations and the respective artists for the public art are Antioch Community Center (Allison), Harpeth Knoll Park (Nutt), Hartman Park (Jackson), Shelby Bottoms (Fennell), Two Rivers Park (Cote) and West Park (Bensons).

The community meetings schedule is:

Hartman Park: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, Hartman Community Center, 2801 Tucker Road;
West Park: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, West Park Community Center, 6105 Morrow Road;
Harpeth Knoll Park: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, Bellevue Recreation Center, 656 Colice Jeanne Road;
Antioch Community Center: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, Antioch Community Center, 5023 Blue Hole Road;
Shelby Bottoms: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27, Shelby South Recreation Center, South 20th Street at Shelby Avenue;
Two Rivers Park: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28, Donelson Library, 2315 Lebanon Road.

The series of meetings are intended for community members to share their stories and experiences during the May 2010 floods to inform the artists, who will create their designs/artworks.

“The Watermarks project presents a wonderful opportunity to expand our Public Art collection, initiate opportunities for emerging local artists and celebrate the actions of our neighborhoods and residents during the flood through art,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Arts.

About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

METRO ARTS HOSTS PROJECT ARTS CONNECT EXHIBIT FEATURING WORKS BY NASHVILLE'S HOMELESS

January 20, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Project Arts Connect, an exhibition designed to showcase the work of Nashville artists affected by homelessness, opens on Friday, Jan. 20, in the Metro Nashville Arts Commission gallery located on the fourth floor of the Metro Office Building at 800 Second Ave. S.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is a collaborative effort of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, The Key Alliance, The Contributor newspaper and Room In The Inn.

Metro Arts will host an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, and the art will remain on display through March 2. The gallery is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“The intent of our ‘in-house’ gallery is to show artists who are under-represented in Nashville’s commercial galleries, and this exhibit is a perfect example of featuring work by talented artists who might not have the opportunity to share their work elsewhere,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Arts.

Project Arts Connect will include selected works from The Disposables, a collection of photographs taken by homeless and formerly homeless Contributor vendors. All photographs were taken with a 35mm disposable camera and offer a unique perspective of Nashville.

“No Exit,” a photograph by vendor Ramond Hampton, offers a glimpse into Nashville history.

“I thought everybody would like to see what Fort Nashborough looked like on the inside,” said Hampton. “That was where Nashville was born and raised.”
Others, like “Where It All Started” by Anita Smith depict various views of the Downtown Presbyterian Church.

Other featured pieces include art from the permanent collection at Room in the Inn, which includes artwork from those who have participated in the organization’s creative arts programming, as well as artwork from the private collections of former Vice Mayor Howard Gentry and artist Kevin Barbieux.
“We are excited to working with Metro Arts, The Contributor and Room In The Inn on this collaborative project. Project Arts Connect offers the public a glimpse through the eyes of a segment of our community that rarely gets the opportunity to publicly express itself in this way,” said Barry J. Gammons, board chair of The Key Alliance.

Select pieces will be for sale, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the artists.

During this exhibit, the Metro Arts gallery will serve as a collection point for hand/foot warmers, gloves, foil emergency blankets and other items to assist programs that the participating organizations offer to homeless individuals in the community.

About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

SMITH SECKMAN REID OPENS WASHINGTON D.C.-AREA OFFICE

January 18, 2012
WASHINGTON D.C. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leading engineering design and facility consulting firm, has opened a Washington, D.C. office. The office will be led by Michael Preece, PE, PSP, CxA, security engineering commissioning specialist.

SSR has been active in the Washington, D.C. area for many years, with significant growth during the last five years. Notable work includes:

• Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Newport News, Va.
• Riverside Doctor’s Hospital of Williamsburg
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in the greater D.C. area, including: Gaithersburg Medical Center in Gaithersburg, Md., Largo Medical Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., South Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore, Md., and Tyson’s Corner Medical Center in McLean, Va.
• Marine Corp. Base Quantico – Greenside Hangar and Dental Clinic in Quantico, Va.
• Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va.
• Georgetown University’s Davis Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C.
• The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md.
• Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.
• Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

"As our work for local clients and the federal government continues to grow, we wanted to be close to the agencies headquartered in the D.C. area,” said Rob Barrick, President and CEO of Smith Seckman Reid. “The size and diversity of the D.C. market along our core service lines, opportunities for international work, and long term clients with interests in the area were all factors in our decision to open an office here.”

The Washington, D.C. office will provide SSR’s full array of engineering design and facility consulting services including engineering design, commissioning and sustainability, technology and regulatory compliance.

Michael Preece has 22 years of experience in project development, design, construction and start-up. For the last nine years, he has served as client and project manager for federal, state and local government projects, and commercial projects in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. He is a registered professional engineer in Maryland, a board-certified physical security professional with ASIS International and a certified commissioning authority with the AABC commissioning group.

SSR’s new office is located at 6700 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 200, Columbia, MD, 21046 and can be reached at (443) 286-1296.

About SSR
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 15 offices and more than 40 years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and infrastructure projects. In 2011 SSR was ranked first in the ZweigWhite “Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firm To Work For” among firms with more than 300 employees. SSR is ranked 11th on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer “MEP Giants” list and 6th on its “Cx Giants” list. To learn more, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

GLOBAL SURVEY SHOWS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS EXPERIENCING A SURGE IN NEW BUSINESS

January 12, 2012

SSR PROJECT MANAGER APPOINTED TO INTERNATIONAL GREEN CONSTRUCTION CODE COMMITTEE

January 06, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Winston Huff, plumbing and fire protection project manager at engineering design and facility consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.(SSR), has been appointed to represent the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) on the International Green Construction Code Committee (IgCC) – Energy/Water.

As a committee member, Huff will work in the areas of water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems and used water recovery. Appointed for the 2012 - 2013 Code Development Cycle, his term will end Dec. 31, 2014.

“Winston’s appointment to the IgCC is a tremendous opportunity and further demonstrates SSR’s leadership in new technologies and involvement in new code development,” said Clay Seckman, executive vice president at SSR.

The IgCC launched in 2009 as an initiative of the International Code Council to aid in the construction of sustainable buildings in the business and residential sectors. The goal of the IgCC is to address the growing demands for a uniform framework that concentrates on safe and sustainable practices in building design and construction.


About SSR
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 15 offices and more than 40 years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and infrastructure projects. In 2011 SSR was ranked first in the ZweigWhite “Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firm To Work For” among firms with more than 300 employees. SSR is ranked 11th on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer “MEP Giants” list and 6th on its “Cx Giants” list. To learn more, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

ULI NASHVILLE CALLS FOR ENTRIES FOR 4TH ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

January 04, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville is accepting applications for its 4th Annual Excellence in Development Awards through February 10, 2012.

All use types of development projects completed between 2004-present from the private, public and nonprofit sectors are eligible.

Entries will be judged based on criteria that support ULI’s commitment to best practices in the use of land and leadership in creating sustainable communities. The out-of-town judges will be looking for outstanding demonstrations in leadership in design and development, sustainability, financial viability and commitment to community.

Applications, details about judging criteria, and all event information can be found at http://nashville.uli.org.

In 2011, eight area development projects were selected as award winners at the 3rd annual ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Awards. Those winning projects were 12th and Paris, 1700 Midtown, Franklin Police Headquarters, Hotel Indigo, the Sawtooth Building, Piedmont Natural Gas Tennessee Operations Center, Terrazzo and Westhaven.

The 2012 winners will be honored during the ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Awards celebration on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at The Pinnacle at Symphony Place. This annual event celebrates, educates, and reinforces examples of excellence in land use, development and design.

Visit the ULI Nashville website at http://nashville.uli.org or call 615-497-2603 for more information.

THE BLAKEFORD AT GREEN HILLS IN THE NEWS

December 20, 2011
Senior Citizens Give Back Through Knitting
WTVF-TV
December 15, 2011
Knitters Producing Gifts Year-Round
WSMV-TV
December 19, 2011

Each holiday The Blakeford's Knitters & Knit Wits group knits hats and blankets for infants and the homeless as part of their annual service project. A selection of hats go to newborn babies at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry.


Success Story: The Blakeford at Green Hills hires graduate from Hillwood Comprehensive High School
WTVF-TV
July 1, 2011

Antonique Dotson returns to The Blakeford after participating in the senior living community's program with the high school's Academy of Health Sciences to prepare students to successfully take the CNA Nursing Assistant Exam.


Seniors friending the tech age
The Tennessean
May 24, 2011

Seniors are learning to navigate new technology to help them stay linked to loved ones and in touch with the outside world. Advances in technology also provide seniors security and their adult children peace of mind in regard to seniors’ safety. Ann Bishop, resident at The Blakeford at Green Hills and secretary of the community’s resident council and Doug Smith, CFO at The Blakeford and president of Blakeford at Home, discuss the impact new technology has on seniors.

NASHVILLE'S CREATIVE ECONOMY CONTINUES GROWING; RANKS FOURTH NATIONALLY

December 13, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Nashville’s creative community continues its positive impact on the city’s reputation and economy – generating more than 36,000 jobs and $88.8 million in revenues and direct economic impact in 2010, according to the national Creative Vitality Index (CVI) released today.

Nashville’s 2010 CVI was 2.05, up from 2.04 in 2009, trailing only Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles in the economic index. A CVI score of more than 1.0 is considered to reflect a strong arts sector and economy.

“We possess a dynamic creative ecosystem in Nashville; one that continues to attract new investment in our community and lures talented individuals to work and live here. Creative life is thriving in Nashville,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.

The CVI is a statistical tool to benchmark a state or city’s creative economy through a series of income and sales indicators, including income of not-for-profit arts and humanities organizations, per capita book, music and photography store sales, per capita performing arts revenues and art gallery and individual artist sales.

The creative economy continued to expand beyond the traditional arts and music sectors as jobs were added in creative areas such as fashion design, film and video editing and set and exhibit design, Cole said.

Nashville’s creative economy stood out against cities of similar size, outpacing Austin, Texas (1.23), Portland, Ore. (1.16), Indianapolis, Ind., (0.99), and Charlotte, N.C. (0.96), among others.

While other cities may be experiencing a decline in their creative economy, Nashville’s continues to grow, Cole said, with 36,850 people directly employed in creative occupations in the Nashville MSA, and more than $135 million in revenue for Nashville record, music book and photography stores, joining art sales of more than $738 million in 2010.

“We are certainly proud of our internationally known brand as a creative community and the global creative community knows who we are, but we must continue to invest in our arts and cultural organizations here in order to grow our creative economy. The investment will create even more jobs and deliver a greater economic impact to our region in the future,” Cole said.


About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

ULI NASHVILLE TO HOST 'REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK 2012' ON DEC. 6

November 22, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Urban Land Institute Nashville (ULI) presents its annual real estate trends and forecast program, The Real Estate Outlook 2012, featuring Emerging Trends in Real Estate, from 8-10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

The event will feature a presentation on the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012 report, a joint-publication from ULI and PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC), followed by local panelists discussing Middle Tennessee real estate industry trends and finance. Dean Schwanke, senior vice president and executive director, ULI Center for Capital Markets and Real Estate, will present the global report.

Emerging Trends in Real Estate is the most highly regarded and widely read forecast report in the real estate industry. The report provides an outlook on U.S. investment and development trends, real estate finance and capital markets, property sectors, metropolitan areas, and other real estate issues, drawing on formal and informal surveys of real estate executives, investors, developers, and market experts around the United States.

MORE THAN 5,000 PARTICIPATE IN MAYOR'S CHALLENGE 5K

November 15, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn.,  – On Sunday, November 13 Nashville Mayor Karl Dean led thousands of walkers and runners through downtown Nashville for the “Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run."

At the conclusion of his successful “Walk 100 Miles” initiative, Dean challenged the community to walk or run a 5K with him. Official “Mayor’s Challenge 5K” training partners offered nine weeks of free training at local YMCA centers and Metro Parks locations to prepare for the event.

“Hundreds of Nashvillians spent the past nine weeks training for the Mayor’s Challenge 5K, and it was a first for many people,” Dean said. “We hope it was a personal best time for everyone and thank all who participated in today’s event to take steps to make Nashville a healthier community. I am grateful for the support of our program partners, our training partners and everyone who has worked to make today’s event possible.”

More than 5,000 Nashvillians participated in the 5K event at Public Square Park, and more than 360 teams participated in the “Step Up to the Challenge” community competition.

Program partners include the TriStar Stroke Network, NashVitality, Metro Nashville Department of Parks and Recreation, YMCA of Middle Tennessee, United Healthcare, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Piedmont Natural Gas, Freeman Webb Companies and Bell Clark Construction; as well as training partners Tennessee State University, Fleet Feet Sports, Nashville Striders, Nashville Running Company and the Vanderbilt University Dayani Center. This is an initiative of the Footprint Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

After the 5K, participants enjoyed live music and an activity zone with inflatables and a rock climbing wall at Public Square Park.

SSR OPENS CHICAGO OFFICE

November 09, 2011
CHICAGO – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leading engineering design and facility consulting firm, has opened a Chicago office. The office will be led by Laura Ludwig, P.E., QCxP, who has been named senior associate with SSR.

SSR has been active in the Chicago market for many years and has more than 20 ongoing and recently completed projects. Notable work includes:

• The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, a $656 million facility (facilities commissioning services)
• The Hallmark, a 37-story senior living tower on Lake Michigan owned by Brookdale Senior Living (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and telecommunications design services)
• Loyola University Chicago’s Norville Center for Intercollegiate Athletics (facilities commissioning services)
• Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s patient pavilion (facilities commissioning services)
• A renovation and new construction project at Central DuPage Hospital that included an ambulatory services pavilion, a women’s and children’s center, and surgical services (full medical communications planning and design of telecommunications infrastructure)

“Based on our growth in the Chicago market, it was only natural that we establish roots to allow us to better serve our clients in the region,” said Rob Barrick, President and CEO of Smith Seckman Reid. “We are committed to this market and look forward to furthering relationships with our valued partners.”

The Chicago office will provide SSR’s full array of engineering design and facility consulting services including engineering design, commissioning and sustainability, communications and technology, and regulatory compliance.

Ludwig has more than 25 years of experience in facilities and process design, project management and testing, as well as experience in energy performance contracting, development and execution of energy conservation measures and retro-commissioning. She was most recently a manager of commissioning services for ARAMARK.

SSR’s new office is located at 3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 200, Lisle, IL, 60532, and can be reached at (312) 656-3609.

SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 15 offices and more than 40 years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and infrastructure projects. In 2011 SSR was ranked first in the ZweigWhite “Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firm To Work For” among firms with more than 300 employees. SSR is ranked 11th on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer “MEP Giants” list and 6th on its “Cx Giants” list. To learn more, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

ULI NASHVILLE RECEIVES URBAN INNOVATION FUND GRANT TO DOCUMENT MUSIC CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE

November 08, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville District Council has been awarded a $12,500 grant for the ULI Nashville Music City Infrastructure Report, a public-private collaborative project that will document the current state of Nashville’s infrastructure systems and provide a tool for economic development and smart growth.

ULI Nashville’s grant was one of 30 grants awarded to Urban Land Institute (ULI) district councils worldwide through ULI’s 75th Anniversary Urban Innovation Fund program.

“This grant helps support our role as a convener and collaborator, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and education among industry leaders, policy makers, educators and organizations to help create better places within our communities,” said Ed Owens, chairman of ULI Nashville.

ULI Nashville is teaming with the American Society of Civil Engineers Nashville Branch, Metro Nashville governmental offices and agencies and area universities to produce ULI Nashville Music City Infrastructure Report: A Collaborative Tool to Promote and Achieve Smart Growth.

“We hope the report will provide a conduit for education, showcase the opportunities and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining and expanding the region's infrastructure systems for smart growth and economic development,” said Marty Heflin, chair of ULI Nashville’s Infrastructure Committee.

According to Heflin, the project will include data about Davidson County’s roads and bridges, water and wastewater, storm water, parks and recreation and power. The group hopes to announce the report card results by June 2012.

The 30 ULI grants, ranging in size from $5,000 to $25,000 and totaling $500,000, were awarded to 23 winners in the United States, two in Canada, three in Europe and two in Asia. A second round of grants will be awarded in Fall 2012, the conclusion of the institute’s year-long anniversary celebration.

Grants were awarded to projects that reflected innovative, new ideas; measurable outcomes; a prominent role for ULI in the project; models that could be applied to other places; and projects that focused on ULI’s three core areas: sustainability, infrastructure and workforce/affordable housing.

The winners were selected by a review committee of renowned land use development and planning experts. In addition to review chairman John H. Mays, managing partner at Gould & Ratner, other members were Robert E. Engstrom, president, Robert Engstrom Companies, Minneapolis; Neisen O. Kasdin, office managing shareholder, Akerman, Miami; M. Leanne Lachman, president, Lachman Associates, New York; and Caroline Moore, chief executive officer, Ekistics LLC, Baltimore.

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in sustaining and creating thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

The ULI Nashville District Council has a diverse membership of approximately 200 professionals including urban planners, architects, engineers, developers, Realtors®, public officials, academicians and attorneys. Through this diverse membership, ULI Nashville offers a variety of perspectives to discussions, collaborations and reports on important land-use and community development issues.

METRO ARTS ANNOUNCES CALL FOR PUBLIC ART SUBMISSIONS

October 21, 2011
Nashville, TN -- Metro Nashville Arts Commission (Metro Arts) has opened a call for artist qualifications (RFQ) for multi-site public art installation commemorating the neighborhood impact and citizen response of the historic 2010 floods.

The “Watermarks” project will connect artists with local neighborhoods to create original art works that form a reflective community gathering place inspired by the stories and experiences of Nashvillians during the May 2010 floods. Artists will be chosen through a competitive process to work directly with residents of the six most flood-impacted neighborhoods.

The six works will be permanently located in parks within the six areas, which include:
• Delray (West Park)
• Antioch ( Antioch Community Center)
• Bordeaux (Hartman Park)
• Bellevue (Harpeth Knoll Park)
• East Nashville (Shelby Park)
• Pennington Bend (Two Rivers Park)

Art works will vary by location in terms of medium and fabrication and may include, but are not limited to, benches, backdrops, screening and natural features. Artists will be encouraged to use found materials and appropriate flood related artifacts in the fabrication of their work.

“The May 2010 floods showed the bravery, determination and spirit of our citizens in the face of tragedy and devastation. Public art is integral in creating a sense of pride in place and a sense of renewal of spirit,” said Jennifer Cole, Metro Arts executive director. “We hope the Watermarks project is part of an ongoing sense of revival and healing in these neighborhoods—leaving a permanent story born from the experience of the neighborhood.”

These six works will be commissioned for original design and fabrication and are part of a regional call for artists who reside within a 250-mile radius of Nashville. The location maps and RFQ are available at http://www.artsnashville.org.

Artists have until Dec. 16 to submit complete applications, including examples of past work. Proposals will be reviewed by a Citizen Selection Panel, appointed by the Metro Arts Commission. Finalists will be chosen and asked to design site-specific proposals. Final artist designs will be approved by the Public Art Committee (PAC) and Metro Arts in early 2012.


About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

WORLDCOM PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 REGIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

October 19, 2011
New York – WORLDCOM Public Relations Group (Worldcom) the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, today announced its regional board slate for the remainder of 2011 and 2012. In addition, the global partnership announced the addition of two new partners to its roster of independent agencies.

Established in 1988, Worldcom, comprised of 107 firms, in 91 markets, across six continents, operates through a Group Board and three regional boards located in the Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (AP). Worldcom partner agencies occupy leadership positions around the globe in major public relations professional organizations and business communities.

"We’re proud to have leaders of the top independent agencies around the world serving on the boards of each of our regions,” said Matt Kucharski, Chair of Worldcom Public Relations Group. “Individually, they’re among the best in the field, and collectively, they are part of a global partnership that supports the communication and marketing needs of local, regional and international corporations, offering companies a global reach.”

The Americas Region has elected the following new board members:
• Regional Chair: Dorothy Pirovano, CEO of Public Communications, Inc.
• Chair Elect: Todd Lynch, VP, Director Public Relations of St. John & Partners
• Marketing Chair: Lauren Peters, CEO of PetersGroup Public Relations
• Partner Retention Chair: Lisa Simon, President of Simon Public Relations
• Practice Groups Chair: Tim Oliver, President of Morgan & Myers

Other board members elected for the 2011-2012 term by the Americas Region include: Angelica Consiglio (Planin, São Paulo, Brazil) Latin America/Partner Recruitment; Virginia Sheridan (M. Silver Associates, New York, NY) Immediate Past Chair; Elizabeth Sosnow (BlissPR, New York, NY) Online/Interactive; Sharon Linhart (Linhart PR, Denver, CO) Meetings; Francie Israeli (John Adams Associates Inc., Washington, DC) Peer Review; Sandy Hermanoff (Hermanoff Public Relations, Farmington Hills, MI) Professional Development; Aileen Katcher (Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, Nashville, TN) Treasurer; and Stefan Pollack (The Pollack PR Marketing Group, Los Angeles, CA) Member At Large.

The EMEA Region elected the following new board members:
• Chair-elect: Imma Folch, General Manager of LF Channel
• Treasurer: Crispin Manners, Director, Word of Mouth Communications of Kaizo

The AP Region has elected the following new board members:
• Regional Chair: Cindy Payne, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific Connections
• Immediate Past Chair: Doug Wright, Chairman of WrightsPR
• Partnership Co-Chair: Tom Van Blarcom, Managing Director of TQPR Thailand
• Treasurer: Gina Lee, Managing Director of Communications Plus
• Secretary: Michelle Lam, Senior Account Executive of A-World Consulting

The newest worldwide partners include:
Realidades (Lima, Peru), works together with the Peruvian government to promote social programs and other government-driven projects. The Garrity Group (Albuquerque, New Mexico), specializes in issue management, crisis communication, media relations, government relations and social media.

About Worldcom Public Relations Group
Established in 1988, Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 107 partner agencies worldwide, in 91 markets, in 46 countries, across six continents. With more than 2,100 employees, and revenue of more than US $260 million, partners collectively serve national, international and multi-national clients seamlessly, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent local agencies. Through Worldcom, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they do business.

METRO ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT AWARDS

October 14, 2011
Nashville, Tenn. – The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission today announced $25,185 in grant awards through the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities (ABC) Program. ABC is a program funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and designated agencies throughout Tennessee.

The grants will be shared by 25 not-for-profit organizations and universities. They are designed to increase citizen participation in the arts and arts education throughout Davidson County.

“The Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities program is a vital link connecting artists with neighborhoods and communities with limited arts access,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Arts.

Grants were made to the following organizations for projects ranging from public music performances, to artist lecture series to new theatrical productions in public schools:

• ALIAS Chamber Ensemble $1,200
• Arts at the Airport $1,825
• Asian American Performing Arts (Dance Theatre of TN) $1,000
• Blackbird Theater Company $500
• Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville $500
• Choral Arts Link $1,000
• Circle Players $990
• Discover Madison, Inc. $500
• FiftyForward $1,400
• Fisk University $500
• HWEN Corporation (Hillsboro‐West End Neighborhood) $1,000
• Humanities Tennessee $500
• Middle TN Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition $1,200
• The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park (Musicians Corner) $1,200
• Narrow Way Productions $1,200
• Nashville Cultural Arts Project $1,100
• Nashville Education Community & Arts TV Network (NECAT) $1,000
• Nashville in Harmony $1,660
• Nashville Jazz Orchestra $1,260
• Nashville Public Television $1,400
• Salama Urban Ministries $500
• Senior Center for the Arts $1,000
• Street Theatre $600
• Tennessee Women's Theatre Project $980
• Youth Speaks Nashville $1,170

Metro Arts also announced $29,000 in Special Projects grants funded through Metro Nashville & Davidson County. Grants were awarded to 8 nonprofit organizations for arts projects that increase arts participation, access and engagement with special populations including seniors, low income residents, at-risk children and those with disabilities or limited English proficiency:

• Conexión Américas (Parents as Partners)$5,000
• FiftyForward (Music for Seniors)$4,500
• Middle TN Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition(Creative Arts Project)$4,200
• Monroe Harding (Youth Speaks Program)$3,800
• Nashville Public Television (Arts Break)$3,700
• Asian American Performing Arts Society(Dance Theatre of TN)$3,400
• Discover Madison Inc. (Madison Folk Festival)$1,400
• Bellevue Exchange Club Foundation (Overpass Mural Project)$3,000

Funded projects and activities in both grant categories will take place from October 15, 2011 - June 15, 2012. Metro Arts estimates that more than 45,000 individuals and 250 artists will be involved in these community art projects.

Metro Arts strategically invests in community-centered arts activities because community arts improve neighborhoods; engage residents of all backgrounds in positive, productive and creative enterprises; and provide quality jobs for local artists. To find out more about our work in community arts development go to http://www.artsnashville.org/Grants.aspx?MID=2.


About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission

The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission provides leadership that stimulates and advances art and culture to enrich the human experience for the community. More information about our strategic work can be found at www.artsnashville.org. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

MAYOR DEAN AND TULIP GROVE STUDENTS LAUNCH NASHVILLE'S LARGEST ARTS/CULTURE CELEBRATION

September 29, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and students from Tulip Grove Elementary School kicked off Artober Nashville, the city’s single largest celebration of the arts and culture, with a launch event at the school today.

Artober Nashville, developed as a partnership between the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s NowPlayingNashville.com online entertainment/events portal, is designed to inform and inspire the community’s awareness of and participation in an array of arts and cultural activities. Artober Nashville was developed in recognition of the Americans for the Arts’ and the National Endowment for the Arts’ designation of October 2011 as National Arts and Humanities Month.

During the launch, Mayor Dean was expected to participate in several arts activities, including receiving an African drum lesson from second-grade student Jaidyn MacAdoo, 9, and participating in a visual-arts class and a chorus practice.

“The month of October is going to be a fantastic celebration of the arts and culture in Nashville, including many events that are free and for the entire family, so there will be something for Nashvillians of all ages. Artober Nashville showcases a wide range of opportunities to experience the arts throughout the community,” said Dean.

More than 239 arts organizations and businesses, hosting more than 550 official Artober Nashville events, are partners with Metro Arts and NowPlayingNashville.com in this celebration. Through these partnerships, Metro Arts will highlight the depth and breadth of the arts. Activities include visual and performing arts, music, craft and film. Individual artists and groups are encouraged to create “pop-up” events, one-time events that will deliver a cultural experience anywhere throughout Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

“The Artober Nashville theme is Arts … Everywhere, and our goal is to make certain that every Nashvillian has the opportunity to experience art and culture, in some manner, during the month. We believe October will become Artober in Nashville for many years to come,” said Jennifer Cole, executive director of Metro Arts.

Artober Nashville is a collaborative effort involving many partners including: NowPlayingNashville.com, Nashville Opera, Watkins College of Art, Design & Film, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Nashville Public Library, Chaffin Dinner Theatre, Curb Center at Vanderbilt, Global Education Center, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Symphony, Film Nashville, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Street Theatre Company, NECAT network, International Black Film Festival, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Actors Bridge, La Noticia, Nashville Children’s Theatre, W.O. Smith Music School, Belcourt Theatre, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Amun Ra Theatre, Arts & Business Council and Create Nashville.

“This month-long celebration offers us a chance to shine a light on the amazing wealth of talent and cultural treasures we have as a city,” Cole said.

The Nashville Scene and the family of SouthComm publications are serving as the official media partner for Artober Nashville.

Metro Arts is urging individual artists and organizations to submit their events to NowPlayingNashville.com, to be included under an Artober tab on the website.

To see the complete calendar of events, visit www.artobernashville.com. Funding for Artober Nashville is provided by Metro Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

About the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

HOLLEY STEIN PROMOTED TO ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

September 16, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Holley Stein has been named account supervisor and business development director at KVBPR. Her responsibilities include driving the firm’s new business efforts and building relationships with key referral sources that are aligned with the firm’s specialties.

As account supervisor, she will continue to manage account service work for several health care and professional services clients. Stein joined the firm as an account executive in 2007 and was named senior account executive in 2010. She brings 11 years of experience to her new role. Prior to KVBPR she was public relations specialist for Borders Group, Inc.

A 2007 graduate of the Young Leaders Council, Stein currently serves on the council’s Board of Directors as the communication chairperson. She also sits on the Friends of Nashville Ballet Board of Directors and the American Lung Association in Tennessee Regional Leadership Council. In addition, Stein is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation, the profession’s only national post-graduate certification program, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB).

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and English literature from Washington University in St. Louis.


About KVBPR

Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, Inc. (www.kvbpr.com) develops innovative public relations programs for health care and civic growth and development clients. KVBPR helps align client’s interests with the people who are important to their long-term interests and success. The firm is a partner in WORLDCOM, a global consortium of independently owned public relations counseling firms.

CMS ADMINISTRATOR DON BERWICK AND FORMER U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILL FRIST DISCUSS FUTURE OF HEALTH REFORM

September 15, 2011

View speaker interviews on YouTube and event photos on Flickr
Photo credit: (c) 2011, Paul Wharton, Nashville

NASHVILLE – Two of the nation’s most well-known health care figures met in Nashville to discuss their views on the future of the nation’s health care system in a time of economic and political uncertainty.

Hosted by the Nashville Health Care Council, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator (CMS) Donald M. Berwick, M.D., M.P.P., and former U.S. Sen. William H. Frist, M.D., shared their insights in a one-on-one conversation about health care reform and other health policy issues with an audience of more than 500 Nashville health care industry leaders.

Dr. Berwick reflected on the work to implement the reforms in the Affordable Care Act and gave his perspectives on the early successes. “In a relatively short time, we have seen progress through better access to care, improved benefits and lower costs for Americans. As we work to lower health care costs across the system, we continue to implement reforms that change the way we pay doctors to use our health care dollars more wisely, rewarding coordination and disease prevention."

Sen. Frist also recognized the necessity of reform and the unsustainable state of the current system. He noted that Nashville is positioned to play a key role: “The Nashville health care community possesses the unique experience, know-how and innovative thinking to help shape the policy discussion in Washington. Nashville is home to health care innovators and we are poised to utilize our expertise to offer dynamic solutions to solve these critical issues.”

As administrator of CMS, Dr. Berwick oversees the Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides care to nearly one in three Americans. Dr. Berwick also is responsible for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which represents the first significant Medicare and Medicaid reform since the creation of the two programs more than four decades ago. Sen. Frist is a nationally recognized heart and lung transplant surgeon and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader. He currently leads Nashville-based Hope Through Healing Hands and the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE). Sen. Frist is also co-chair of both First Lady Michelle Obama's Partnership for a Healthier America to eliminate childhood obesity and the Bipartisan Policy Center Health Project in Washington, D.C.

“Nashville’s health care community is fortunate to count Senator Frist among our own, even more so when coupled with the candid discussion today with Dr. Berwick,” said Council President Caroline Young. “Many Council members are directly impacted by the policies implemented by CMS, and monitor any developments closely. Today was an invaluable opportunity to hear Dr. Berwick’s insights on ongoing reform and other issues.”

Support for the event came from presenting sponsor Cressey & Company and supporting sponsors Bass, Berry & Sims, Capella Healthcare and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

About the Nashville Health Care Council
The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than $70 billion in revenue and over 400,000 jobs, and is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.

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18 STITES & HARBISON ATTORNEYS HONORED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA

September 12, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eighteen Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2012. Four of those attorneys are honored in three or more practice areas. Trademark law attorney Alexandra MacKay is a new honoree this year.

“The recognition we have received from Best Lawyers validates our firm-wide commitment to providing the best level of service possible to our clients,” said Kennedy Helm III, chairman of Stites & Harbison, PLLC.

The 18 attorneys, with their practice areas, include:

Katherine S. Allen
Banking and Finance Law
Equipment Finance Law

Julian L. Bibb
Banking and Finance Law
Corporate Law
Land Use & Zoning Law

Robert N. Buchanan III
Banking and Finance Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Real Estate Law

A. Stuart Campbell
Corporate Law

Robert C. Goodrich, Jr.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Litigation – Bankruptcy

Charles A. Grice
Banking and Finance Law

Garry K. Grooms
Commercial Litigation

Ronald G. Steen, Jr.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy

Pamela A. Taylor
Family Law Michael J. Hinchion
Banking and Finance Law

Jeffrey R. King
Land Use & Zoning Law
Real Estate Law

Alexandra MacKay
Trademark Law

William L. Penny
Administrative / Regulatory Law
Environmental Law
Litigation - Environmental
Water Law

Gregory D. Smith
Family Law

Cathy Carpenter Speers
Family Law

M. Clark Spoden
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Environmental

Warren H. Wild, Jr.
Real Estate Law

John R. Wingo
Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers named Stites & Harbison as Top-Listed in Tennessee for:

• Equipment Finance Law
• Family Law
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Water Law

Firm-wide, 75 Stites & Harbison attorneys were selected by their peers for their work in 55 areas of practice in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012.

The Best Lawyers in America® is a nationally recognized referral guide to the legal profession that has been published biennially since 1983. Attorneys selected for the publication are reviewed by professional peers through an extensive survey.


About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.; Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation and among the largest law firms in the Southeast. Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers in the following leading legal directories: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®, The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers magazine. Recent firm honors include: among America’s Top Law Firms in First Tier Ratings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, one of the Best Employers in Tennessee, two attorneys listed in Best of the Bar (Nashville Business Journal), one of the 50 Best Overall Law Firms in America (Global Research), one of the Leading Law Firms in America (The American Lawyer), a Go-To Law Firm® (Corporate Counsel), one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine) and a Top 10 Growth Firm (National Law Journal).

SSR'S MIKE BERNARD NAMED CHAIR OF LOCAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

September 02, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Bernard, P.E., water process team leader for Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., an engineering design and facility consulting firm, was named chair of the Kentucky/Tennessee Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

The appointment was made at the 2011 Water Professionals Conference in Covington, Ky.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and abroad. The organization advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of all professionals and organizations in the water community. It is the largest organization of water professionals in the world.

In 2008, Bernard was elected to the Board of Trustees and he is currently in the fourth year of his five-year term.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

SSR COMPLETES WORK ON THREE COLLEGIATE STADIUMS IN TEXAS AND FLORIDA

August 23, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, is completing work for three collegiate football stadiums that are following a trend of becoming more like professional sports venues.

New stadiums ready for the season kickoff are University of North Texas, Denton, Texas; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.; and Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.

“Colleges are treating their athletic facilities more like a business and mirroring professional stadiums with naming rights, high-tech digital signage, new suites, clubs and levels of ticketing to maximize income,” says Mike Rogers, vice president of sports design at SSR. “From an engineering perspective, LEED and sustainable design is having an impact. There is motivation for owners to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.”

According to Rogers, college facility directors want more control features for operational flexibility and to maximize energy savings. These include on/off cycling of lights and the use of daylighting strategies, automated window blinds, enthalpy wheels to capture energy from exhaust air streams, and water efficient restroom facilities.

SSR is providing the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection for the three stadiums, all of which are designed by HKS Sports & Entertainment Group.

University of North Texas
This $78 million stadium is the new home of the University of North Texas “Mean Green” football team and is the first athletic stadium to pursue LEED® Platinum certification. The design includes features such as three 100 kw wind turbines for onsite energy production and LED light fixtures. The design also provides for all rainwater to be retained on site, preventing any runoff.

The new Apogee stadium has a capacity of 31,000 and features 21 luxury suites, 750 club seats, banquet space and a team spirit apparel store. Housing a state-of-the-art sound system, giant video boards, abundant restrooms and concessions, this facility is also primed to host high school playoffs, band competitions, commencement ceremonies and other community events.

Florida Atlantic University
The new 30,000-seat football stadium will allow students, alumni and fans to enjoy a game-day experience on the Boca Raton campus for the first time, with construction nearing completion in time for the 2011-12 season.

The stadium is the centerpiece of FAU’s Innovation Village, located in the north central area of campus. Home of the Owl football team, the open-air, $70 million stadium is slated to feature 6,000 premium seats, including 24 suites, 26 loge boxes, 1,000 premier club seats and 4,000 priority club seats, as well as the latest, state-of-the-art amenities.

Texas Christian University
The most recent expansion to Amon G. Carter Stadium involved the demolition of the west side stands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvgukM8r7Kc) and will provide a seating capacity of 40,000 that can be expanded to more than 50,000 seats. Built in 1930, this is the first major renovation to the stadium since the upper deck was added in 1956.

The $105 million renovation will provide better accessibility, seating and views of the playing field, including upgraded and new concession stands; new elevators and escalators; a new, raised seating bowl on the west and north end for enhanced field views; upgraded amenities such as suites, club seating and lounges on the west side of the stadium and a new press box.

In addition to college stadiums and arenas, SSR has also provided engineering and facility consulting services for Guangzhou Arena and Entertainment District in China; the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.; and the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.


About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

PANELISTS ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE AT STITES & HARBISON'S LEED FOR HEALTHCARE SEMINAR

August 22, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Stites & Harbison PLLC will host a free seminar about LEED® for Healthcare and sustainable trends in healthcare construction, from 4-6:30 p.m., at the firm’s downtown Nashville office on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The seminar will start with a networking session, followed by a panel discussion on basics, insights and tips about the benefits of green buildings and the new LEED® for Healthcare rating system introduced recently by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute.

Stites & Harbison construction attorney Matt DeVries, LEED® AP BD+C, will host a panel of industry experts including:

• Justin Dickinson, Healthcare REIT assistant project director;
• Tara Myers, AIA, NCARB, LEED® AP BD+C, Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. senior design manager;
• Jim Moler, Turner Construction Company, manager-engineering systems; and
• Jack Parker, PE, LEED® AP, Littlejohn Engineering Associates.

“Many hospitals and healthcare facility owners have discovered if they go green, they can reduce energy costs and create environments less prone to the spread of infection,” says DeVries.

The seminar will be at the firm’s downtown Nashville office, 401 Commerce Street, Suite 800. Reservations are required. Call 615-782-2200 to RSVP or for more information.

About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.; Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation and among the largest law firms in the Southeast. Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers in the following leading legal directories: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®, The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers magazine. Recent firm honors include: among America’s Top Law Firms in First Tier Ratings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, one of the Best Employers in Tennessee, two attorneys listed in Best of the Bar (Nashville Business Journal), one of the 50 Best Overall Law Firms in America (Global Research), one of the Leading Law Firms in America (The American Lawyer), a Go-To Law Firm® (Corporate Counsel), one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine) and a Top 10 Growth Firm (National Law Journal).

BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF TENNESSEE, TSSAA PARTNER TO BRING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TO STATE HIGH SCHOOLS

August 18, 2011
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) today announced the formation of the BlueCross Championship Series, designed to recognize athletic excellence and sportsmanship in high schools across the state.

The BlueCross Championship Series recognizes those Tennessee high schools with the highest performing athletic programs each school year. Schools are awarded points based on quarterfinal, semifinal, final round and championship appearances. The total points earned will be divided by the number of sports offered at that school to create an average point total. At the end of the school year, those schools with the top average point totals in their competitive division and class will be named the BlueCross Champions and each receive a $2,500 cash donation from BlueCross.

“TSSAA and BlueCross have built a successful partnership these past 12 years, and this is such a positive extension of that relationship,” said Bernard Childress, executive director of the TSSAA. “The BlueCross Championship Series recognizes athletic excellence and sportsmanship, two of the key tenets the TSSAA strives to promote amongst its member schools, and we are excited about the future of this program.”

The BlueCross Championship Series groups schools according to their competitive division and class as assigned by the TSSAA, with a total of two Division II and three Division I classes.

Schools are awarded points based on quarterfinal, semifinal, final round and championship appearances, with the potential points earned increasing at each level of competition. Sports with individual and team competitions will earn points based on team composite scores, not individual performances. Sports without a tiered quarterfinal, semifinal, final and championship round system will be awarded points based on final standings at championship events.

As a way of recognizing sportsmanship among Tennessee high schools, only schools that have no reported incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior during the school year will be eligible to win the BlueCross Championship Series in its competitive class.

A complete, detailed breakdown of the BlueCross Championship Series criteria is available online at www.tssaa.org.

About BlueCross
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s mission is to provide its customers and communities with peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on reinventing the health plan for its 3 million members in Tennessee and across the country. Through its integrated health management approach, BlueCross provides patient-centric products and services that drive health improvement and positively impact health care quality and value. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's website at www.bcbst.com.

SSR HOSTS CR-6 & WATER QUALITY SEMINAR FOR AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

August 16, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. will host a seminar on hexavalent chromium (Cr-6) and water quality for the Kentucky/Tennessee Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Cr-6 is a heavy metal commonly found at low levels in drinking water. It can occur naturally, but also may enter drinking water sources by historic leaks from industrial plants’ hazardous waste sites. Other sources may also contribute to the amount of Cr-6 in groundwater. Cr-6 is known to be a potent carcinogen when inhaled.

The day-long seminar at SSR’s Nashville office will focus on Cr-6, its chemistry, health impacts, occurrence, formation, analytical techniques, removal and minimization. Seminar speakers will also address the regulatory status of Cr-6, customer concerns and how to relate Cr-6 risk information to the public.

A team from the Louisville Water Company will present a case study on its removal and minimization of Cr-6.

Session speakers include:
• Dr. Rengao Song, chief scientist and manager of water quality and research at the Louisville Water Company
• Dr. Phil Brandhuber, water quality and drinking water treatment specialist
• Kelley Dearing Smith, manager of strategic communications for the Louisville Water Company
• Dr. Chad Seidel, manager of water technology at Jacobs Engineering

The Kentucky/Tennessee Section is one of 43 sections of the American Water Works Association, an elite group of professionals who strive to create the best solution-based approaches in the supply and protection of drinking water.

For more information about the AWWA section or the seminar, contact Kay Sanborn, her email is kay@kytnawwa.org.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

KVBPR'S HOLLEY STEIN NAMED TO NASHVILLE CHAMBER EDUCATION REPORT CARD COMMITTEE

August 15, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- KVBPR Senior Account Executive Holley Stein has been named to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Education Report Card Committee, joining a group of business and community representatives to evaluate the progress of Nashville’s public school system. Since 1993, the Chamber has assembled a committee that examines academic performance data and publicly presents the Education Report Card, which includes findings and recommendations for improvement.

The 2011 committee convened recently to start the 2011 effort, starting with a review of an interim report from Metro Schools on the status of last year’s Report Card recommendations. The committee has tentatively set Dec. 20 as the release date for its 19th report.

2011 Chamber Education Report Card Committee:
Co-Chair Ron Corbin, Principal, RBBC Holdings
Co-Chair Pam Daly, DK Brand Strategy
Luz Belleza, Program Coordinator of Family Services, Metropolitan Social Services
Mark Cappellino, President, Primary Leadership, LLC
Evelyn Davidson, Retired MNPS Teacher
Brian Fesler, Director of Special Affairs, Church of Scientology
Derrick Free, Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Kaki Friskics-Warren, Executive Director, Maddox Charitable Trust
Marc Hill, Chief Education Officer, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Becky Kantz, Principal, The Leading Edge
Julia Landstreet, Executive Director, Nashville Civic Design Center
Cate Lewandowski, Senior Vice President, Educational Services of America
Dianne McDerman, Executive Assistant, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc.
Sandra V. Moore, District 17, Metropolitan Council
Susan Moriarty, Executive Director, YMCA Center for Civic Engagement
Bill Nelson, CEO, Little Planet Learning, Inc.
David Peters, CEO, Universal Robotics, Inc.
Jason Powell, Agent, Forest Hills Realtors
Holley Stein, Senior Account Executive, Katcher, Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations
Patricia Stokes, President & CEO, Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Todd Vandawater, Vice President, Fifth Third Bancorp
Susan West, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Belmont University
Cynthia Wiel, Attorney, Hubbard, Berry & Harris, PLLC
Doug Williams, Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, Middle Tennessee State University

ATTORNEY BILL PENNY ELECTED TO VICE CHAIR OF SEER

August 12, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada this week, Stites & Harbison, PLLC environmental attorney William L. (Bill) Penny was elected Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s 10,000-member Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER). By rotation, he will become the Section’s Chair-Elect for 2012-2013 and then take over as Chair for 2013-2014.

“Bill is a tremendous asset to Tennessee’s legal community and the legal profession as a whole,” said Stephen Price, executive member at Stites & Harbison’s Nashville office. “His knowledge and passion for key issues make him a valuable leader in the environmental field.”

A member of Stites & Harbison’s Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Service Group, Penny has approximately 30 years of experience in environmental law. His practice has covered a broad range of administrative, regulatory, and litigation matters. He has worked on issues concerning water, stormwater, low-level radioactive waste, RCRA, CERCLA, solid waste, surface coal mining, and brownfield redevelopment, among others.

“I am honored to serve as Vice Chair for the Section,” said Penny. “The Section is the premier forum for strategies and information for environmental, energy, and resource lawyers, and I am proud to be a part of that tradition.”

Penny has been an active leader within the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources for years. He has served as the Section’s budget officer, council member, and chaired committees. He also co-authored the Tennessee chapter of the ABA’s book on Brownfields.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a doctor of jurisprudence from the Nashville School of Law. He is an instructor in environmental and administrative law at the Nashville School of Law.

With nearly 400,000 members, the ABA is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.; Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation and among the largest law firms in the Southeast. Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers in the following leading legal directories: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®, The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers magazine. Recent firm honors include: among America’s Top Law Firms in First Tier Ratings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, one of the Best Employers in Tennessee, two attorneys listed in Best of the Bar (Nashville Business Journal), one of the 50 Best Overall Law Firms in America (Global Research), one of the Leading Law Firms in America (The American Lawyer), a Go-To Law Firm® (Corporate Counsel), one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine) and a Top 10 Growth Firm (National Law Journal).

WORLDCOM PR GROUP ADOPTS BARCELONA PRINCIPLES OF MEASUREMENT

August 10, 2011

NEW YORK – Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, announced today that it has adopted the Barcelona Declaration of Measurement Principles for partner implementation as guidelines for performance metrics.

The Barcelona Principles were formally published at the second annual European Summit on Measurement and have since been endorsed by the Global Alliance, the Institute for Public Relations, the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC), the International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The seven principles present a standardized set of metrics that support qualitative and quantitative measurement to define meaningful PR measurement for the industry. Worldcom Group is the first global marketing and communications business group to formally adopt these principles for active use by its partners.

“The Worldcom Group views measurement as an essential element for our industry and the Barcelona Principles support the processes our partner firms are using as they report results to their clients,” said Matt Kucharski, Chair, Worldcom Public Relations Group and Senior Vice President at Padilla Speer Beardsley. “All of our partners strive to align campaigns with client business goals so that results provide concrete proof that the strategies contribute to the bottom line.”

An internal committee of representatives from the Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia/Pacific regions will develop measurement systems and methodologies based on these principles. Worldcom Group also will provide partners with tools and training to facilitate the acceptance and use of these new standards by themselves and especially by their clients, who are being asked to measure program results against their corporate goals.


About the Worldcom Public Relations Group
Established in 1988, The Worldcom Public Relations Group, is today the world's leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 107 partner agencies worldwide, in 90 markets, in 46 countries, across six continents. With more than 2,000 employees, and revenue of more than US $265 million, partners collectively serve national, international and multi-national clients seamlessly, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent local agencies. Through Worldcom, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic areas in which they do business. For more information, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

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KVBPR RECOGNIZED ON O'DWYERS LIST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PR FIRMS

August 04, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations (KVBPR) was ranked as one of the nation’s leading firms on the 2011 list of PR Firms for Professional Services, release by O’Dwyers Publications. Rankings are based on annual net fees and employee totals.

“At KVBPR, we develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies for our clients,” said Partner Aileen Katcher, APR, “We help fine tune messages and work with the client to align their interests with their stakeholders and build relationships with them, which ultimately creates success for all.

Professional services encompass a broad mix of marketing, brand positioning, reputation management and strategic consulting practices. The current list is published in O’Dwyers’ August magazine, featuring professional services, investor relations and finance rankings.


About KVBPR

Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, Inc. (www.kvbpr.com) develops innovative public relations programs for health care and civic growth and development clients. KVBPR helps align client’s interests with the people who are important to their long-term interests and success. The firm is a partner in WORLDCOM, a global consortium of independently owned public relations counseling firms.

UPPER CUMBERLAND HEALTH FACILITY BECOMES FIRST LEED®-NC PLATINUM PROJECT IN TENN.

August 02, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Upper Cumberland Regional Health Facility in Cookeville, Tenn. was awarded LEED®-NC (LEED® for New Construction) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first building in the state of Tennessee to achieve this level. LEED® is the nation’s preeminent certification for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

The new $9.8 million, 50,733-square-foot facility was a joint venture by Brentwood, Tenn.-based architecture and design firm Thomas, Miller & Partners (TMP) and Crossville, Tenn.-based Upland Design Group. Nashville, Tenn.-based Hardaway Construction was the general contractor on the project.

Completed in October 2010, the $9.8 million facility oversees all the health departments in the 14-county Upper Cumberland region and provides regional medical specialty clinics, such as tuberculosis, women's health, HIV and genetics.

“The decisions made by the State of Tennessee and the design team yielded a building that achieved the highest level of sustainability while being both a good steward of taxpayer money and the environment,” said Jeff Earwood, architect at TMP. “This is truly a building in which the citizens of Tennessee can take pride.”

A major factor impacting the platinum designation was the willingness of the State to commit more upfront costs with the understanding that it would pay for itself over time and save significant amounts of energy.

The goal of the design team was to provide a healthy indoor work environment for occupants, reduce the use of potable water and save as much energy as possible. Ample use of daylight reduced the number of light fixtures required, a geothermal HVAC system uses the cooling and warming capabilities of the earth to condition indoor air and photovoltaic panels produce 2.5 percent of the energy needed to operate the facility. These three strategies combine to reduce energy demand by 43 percent when compared to typical code requirements.

Additional sustainable systems and components include:

• Collection and re-use of rainwater from the roof for landscape irrigation;
• Highly reflective and energy-efficient roof materials for heat island effect reduction;
• Diversion of 73 percent of construction waste from landfills;
• Use of 88 percent wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes responsible forestry practices;
• Restoration of 100 percent of the site area (excluding building footprint) with native and adaptive plants; and
• Exceeded local zoning requirements for open space by 165 percent.

The design team focused on specifying local or regional materials, many of which contained high-recycled content. These were used throughout the interior and exterior of the building, reflecting the local region, promoting the local economy, and reducing the environmental impact of transporting supplies to the construction site.

The project exceeded LEED® requirements for stormwater quantity and quality treatment by using various bioswales and raingardens across the site to promote infiltration and treat runoff by capturing pollutants before they entered local waterways.

The Upper Cumberland Regional Health Facility is also a recent recipient of a Green Star Award, the leading green awards for projects designed or built in Middle Tennessee.

A Tennessee-based team provided the design for the facility. I.C. Thomasson & Associates (Nashville) provided the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical design; Upland Design Group (Crossville) provided the civil engineering design; Logan Patri Engineers, Inc. (Nashville) provided the structural engineering design; and Heibert & Associates (Franklin) provided the landscape architectural design.

Another TMP project, Martha's Vineyard Hospital was recently awarded LEED® Gold certification, making it the first hospital in the state of Massachusetts and the ninth in the nation to achieve this level. TMP worked with Boston-based Columbia Construction on the LEED® process for this $46 million, 90,000-square-foot replacement hospital.

About Thomas, Miller & Partners
Thomas Miller, & Partners (TMP) has provided architectural, interior design, planning and sustainable design services for more than three decades. TMP offers master planning, programming, design and construction administration for clients in all areas of architecture with special emphasis on the healthcare, higher education, wellness/fitness, and institutional (local, state, federal government) sectors. For more information, visit www.tmpartners.com.

About Upland Design Group, Inc.
Upland Design Group has been serving the middle/east region of Tennessee for the last 34 years. Providing architectural and civil engineering design services to both public and private sectors within the region UDG has developed a reputation for providing personal service to all clients, no matter the project size. With a strong emphasis on education and institutional facilities UDG has become a leader within the region by providing quality design solutions within our clients’ budgets. For additional information on UDG visit the website at www.uplanddesigngroup.com .

About Hardaway Construction
Since its founding in 1924, HARDAWAY has become one of the top ranked, most successful construction manager and general contractor firms in Nashville, Tennessee through offering our clients a full range of services to include: preconstruction planning, LEED certified/sustainable building construction, construction management, general contracting, and comprehensive project management and design/build services. HARDAWAY is a contractor known for its versatility through creating successful project experiences for both public and private sector clients, building a wide range of facilities across most vertical market building segments. To learn more about HARDAWAY, please visit us at www.hardaway.net.

LAND ROVER NASHVILLE IN THE NEWS

July 25, 2011
Outside of auto shows, few people have caught a glimpse of the new Evoque from Range Rover, but Middle Tennesseans can see the new car at its local debut on Friday, July 29, 6-9 p.m., at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

WALK 100 MILES WITH THE MAYOR IN THE NEWS

July 12, 2011
Saturday, July 9 marked the end of the Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor challenge.  Since it kicked off on April 2, 2011, more than 4,000 Nashvillians registered to walk local parks and greenways with Mayor Dean.  After the final walk on Saturday morning, more than 100,000 miles were logged on the official website.  The push towards better health for Nashville residents, however, does not end there.

AMY LOPEZ JOINS SSR AS VICE PRESIDENT AND TEAM LEADER

July 06, 2011
HOUSTON, Tex. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, hired Amy Lopez, IIDA, AAHID as vice president and team leader in its Houston office. Lopez will manage a full MEP team and provide services to clients in federal health care, higher education, science and technology markets.

With a professional background in architectural and interior design, Lopez brings to SSR an unique blend of design knowledge, client relationship expertise and corporate management . These skills will allow her to build relationships, and manage her team, as well as help lead the firm in becoming more forward thinking to provide engineering services to clients.

“Coming from the architectural services industry, we felt Amy would bring a completely different perspective,” said Richard Morris, executive vice president for SSR. “She will help our firm think broader about how to better serve our clients.”

For Lopez, there is a strong correlation between the focus of her previous experience in architecture/interior design and the responsibilities she faces in her new role, eliminating the learning curve when working with clients and her team in this particular marketplace. As a former manager of an architecture firm, her management, design leadership and business development skills are essential for her daily activities with SSR.

“The majority of MEP engineering contributes to the interior environment of the building, and that is where my experience has been in the past, designing purposeful and high performing interior spaces." said Lopez. “I am looking forward to working hand in hand with my design team to develop engineering solutions that serve the clients’ needs and produce positive outcomes.

Lopez’s professional affiliations include the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Design (AAHID), for which she is a founding and current board member, and Advisory Council for Texas Tech University’s Interior Design Program.

Lopez joined SSR from a 15 year career with WHR Architects, Inc. in Houston, where she was director of business development and marketing and one of two principals in charge of interiors. She earned a bachelor’s in interior design from Purdue University, and completed the executive management program at Rice University. She is a registered interior designer in the state of Texas.


About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

ANDREWS CADILLAC IN THE NEWS

July 05, 2011
United Way raises money so agenices can serve
July 2, 2011

Andrews Cadillac's Nelson Andrews shares with The Tennessean his passion for serving his community and supporting the United Way of Williamson County.  This year they celebrate 50 years of service to the community and $50 million raised in support of Williamson County agencies.



July Fourth 5K race has lifelong impact for Nolensville man
June 30, 2011

Willie McLaurin participated in his first Andrews Firecracker 5K in 2005, and has run many half-marathons and marathons ever since.  He tells his inspiratonal story about how he turned around his health and is setting an example for his family and the community.

COMMUNITY SERVICE IS CRITICAL PART OF SUNCREST HOME HEALTH

July 01, 2011
An important part of the mission at SunCrest Home Health is to have a strong, trusted presence in the community. The Woodbury office in Cannon County strives to continuously enrich the lives and experiences of its patients and the greater community. Because of their efforts they were named the 2011 Community Partner of the Year by the Cannon County Senior Center.

SSRCX CORPORATE OFFICE IS LEED GOLD CERTIFIED

June 09, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The corporate headquarters of SSRCx, the commissioning division of Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), has been awarded LEED® Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent certification for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

“The strength of USGBC has always been the collective strength of our leaders in the building industry,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry in that effort, SSRCx demonstrates their leadership through their LEED certification of Gold.”

LEED Gold certification was awarded to SSRCx for the design and construction of its corporate office. Projects are judged on a number of green features, including: innovation in design, sustainable sites, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and energy and water efficiency.
“When it was time to create new office space for SSRCx, we relied on the expertise we share with clients and collaborated with the building team to create an efficient and environmentally friendly place,” said Mike Coyne, SSRCx managing principal.

The layout and construction of the SSRCx corporate office achieve the following conservation measures:
• 45 percent water savings with TOTO® restroom fixtures;
• 92 percent of electronic equipment and appliances is ENERGY STAR rated and Green Power is used for electricity;
• 50 percent of the building materials were manufactured regionally and many contain recycled content;
• 90 percent of office waste is recycled through a comprehensive program that was also implemented for construction;
• 30 percent of exterior open space has been preserved; and
• 80 percent of low-emitting materials credits awarded with CRI Green labeled carpet and Greenguard-certified furniture used throughout the building.

SSRCx also received innovation points for its ongoing Green Housekeeping program and an active education program, designed to inform employees and visitors about sustainable initiatives.

To schedule a tour of the SSRCx corporate office, contact Anna Johnson at (615) 460-0521 or akjohnson@ssr-inc.com.


About SSRCx
SSRCx, a division of Smith Seckman Reid, is a leading facilities commissioning provider. The company ensures facilities work better by verifying and documenting that buildings and their systems are designed and installed in a quality manner and meet the needs of the owner and its occupants. SSRCx provides commissioning services at any stage of a project, from design to completion, including facilities that have been built and running for a significant amount of time. For more information about SSRCx, call (800) 545-6732 or visit www.ssrcx.com.

WORLDCOM PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP ANNOUNCES NEWLY ELECTED GROUP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

June 03, 2011
NEW YORK – Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, announced the appointment of the 2011-2012 board members during the group’s annual meeting, held May 17-20 in Madrid, Spain, hosted by Grupo Albion.

Matt Kucharski of Padilla Speer Beardsley in Minneapolis, Minn. will continue to Chair the thirteen-member Worldcom Group Board.

“The Worldcom Group Board is comprised of agency leaders from some of the top independent firms around the globe,” said Matt Kucharski, Chair, Worldcom Public Relations Group and Senior Vice President at Padilla Speer Beardsley. “They are a great representation of the power of Worldcom – a true partnership dedicated to helping clients transform their businesses through strategic communications in the markets and industries important to their success.”

Kucharski welcomed two new board members: newly elected Asia-Pacific Region Chair, Cindy Payne of Asia-Pacific Connections in Singapore, and Hal Dash of Cerrell Associates in Los Angeles, appointed as the At-Large/Next-Generation Staffing board member.

In addition, board members continuing their terms or elected to additional terms of office include: Corinna Voss, HBI Helga Bailey GmbH, Chair-elect and EMEA Region Chair; Melissa Sturges, Sturges Word Communications, Treasurer; Stephanie Paul, Phillips Group, Strategic Plan; Tom Van Blarcom, TQPR Thailand, Membership; Noemi Pollack, The Pollack PR Marketing Group, Marketing; Francie Israeli, John Adams Associates, Peer Review; Mae Maneekulpan, TQPR Thailand, Knowledge Sharing; and Virginia Sheridan, M. Silver Associates, Americas Region Chair.

Worldcom, with a total of 2,125 employees, experienced an 8 percent growth in partner revenue over the last year. In 2010, Worldcom partners provided strategic public relations services to more than 3,200 clients worldwide, generating revenue of more than $263 million USD.

Worldcom also voted in a new partner in the Asia-Pacific Region, Finese PR, a boutique communication consultancy headquartered at New Delhi, India.

The 2012 annual group meeting will be held in Rio de Janeiro, hosted by Worldcom partner PLANIN from Brazil. For more information on Worldcom Public Relations Group, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.


About Finese PR
Finese PR is a boutique communication consultancy headquartered at New Delhi, India, offering PR services across India. Established in 2000, Finese PR provides all aspects of public relations services to clients across India and other geographies. Finese PR designs effective public relations, investor relations, digital PR and public affairs campaigns for its clients, and has had the privilege of creating, nurturing and repositioning brands.

About the Worldcom Public Relations Group
Established in 1988, The Worldcom Public Relations Group, is today the world's leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 107 partner agencies worldwide, in 90 markets, in 46 countries, across six continents. With more than 2,000 employees, and revenue of more than US $265 million, partners collectively serve national, international and multi-national clients seamlessly, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent local agencies. Through Worldcom, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they do business. For more information, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

CIVIL WAR TRUST RECOGNIZES STITES & HARBISON'S JULIAN BIBB

June 02, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Julian Bibb, member at Stites & Harbison PLLC, has been awarded the Shelby Foote Preservation Legacy Award from the Civil War Trust (CWT) for exceptional merit in Civil War battlefield preservation.

For the last seven years, Bibb has led a team of attorneys and staff at Stites & Harbison to acquire and preserve valuable battlefield acreage in Franklin and Middle Tennessee. During that time, the firm has donated over $1 million in pro bono services.

In addition to rendering legal services for the acquisition of battlefield property, Stites & Harbison has provided services to support and maintain Franklin’s Charge, an organization that works to preserve and restore the Battle of Franklin battlefield.

“The work done by the Civil War Trust would simply not be possible without the efforts of men and women like Julian Bibb and his colleagues,” said Jim Lighthizer, president of CWT. “They are often the unsung heroes of historic preservation, but I am confident that their work will be felt for generations to come.”

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the U.S. Since 1987, the organization has helped save more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states.

“Congratulations to Julian and his team for this honor. His passion for land preservation in Franklin and throughout middle Tennessee is remarkable,” said Stephen Price, executive member at Stites & Harbison. “It’s Stites tradition to provide pro bono service in the communities where our attorneys work and live. The work Julian provides is a service to our state’s rich history and supports Tennessee tourism.”

Along with Bibb, fellow attorney Miranda Christy, with staff support from Stacey Watson, Frances Regan and Christina Willow, have provided the bulk of the support rendered by Stites & Harbison.


About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC (www.stites.com) is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.; Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation and among the largest law firms in the Southeast. Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers in the following leading legal directories: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®, The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers magazine. Recent firm honors include: named among America’s Top Law Firms in First Tier Ratings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, one of the Best Employers in Tennessee, two attorneys listed in Best of the Bar (Nashville Business Journal), one of the 50 Best Overall Law Firms in America (Global Research), one of the Leading Law Firms in America (The American Lawyer), a Go-To Law Firm® (Corporate Counsel), one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine) and a Top 10 Growth Firm (National Law Journal).

STITES & HARBISON IN THE NASHVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL

May 23, 2011
Nashville firms hiring more experienced lawyers over recent grads
May 20, 2011

Hiring trends in the legal industry are shifting. Rather than looking for fresh law school graduates to fill positions, firms are hiring established lawyers, or laterals, from other firms. According to the Association for Legal Professionals, last year's lateral hiring in the United States increased by 38 percent.

Stephen Price, executive member at Stites & Harbison’s Nashville office, discusses the current hiring demographics and his thoughts on the industry’s shift.



Middle Tennessee banks plan for fewer rainy days
May 20, 2011

A recent analysis of Middle Tennessee-based banks by the Nashville Business Journal revealed improvements in the number of past-due loans and the dollars banks are adding to rainy day funds. Averages for each are at or below the lowest levels in the past two years.

Joe Jensen, member at Stites & Harbison, speaks with the Nashville Business Journal on these trends.



Feds tighten rules on ‘green’ promises
May 20, 2011

To prevent the abuse of terms such as “green” and “eco-friendly” the Federal Trade Commission is introducing tighter guidelines for marketing environmental products and services. These new rules will prevent marketers from making unsubstantiated claims about their products. Companies that violate these rules could face $11,000 in fines per violation.

While some believe the new guidelines are too tight, Jeff King, member at Stites & Harbison, shares a different opinion.

WORLDCOM EMEA SURVEY ON PR TRENDS REVEALS TRADITIONAL MEDIA STILL PLAYS KEY ROLE

May 18, 2011
Brussels, Belgium – Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading network of independently owned public relations counseling firms, has announced the results of its first survey on PR trends in Europe.

The study shows several similarities between European countries. For example, when a new client is launching a product for the first time in a specific market, all agencies have said that dailies are still very important. Nevertheless, they’ve all agreed on the fact that newswires, magazines, TV/radio and bloggers should also be invited. For a fashion and cosmetics announcement, bloggers can be more relevant than dailies.

If the client is visiting the agency’s country for the first time and has no local offices, the most recommended events are one-to-one interviews, or a breakfast / lunch meeting with a group of local media. But then sub-regions show different preferences towards this: Southern Europe agencies would still organize a press conferences in one city but do not recommend social events, while in Central Europe visits to editors are well received. Northern European PR Pros would organize either a breakfast / lunch or a social event, and only Eastern Europe agencies recommend to cover more than one city when organizing a press conference.

Across Europe, consumer goods’ press conferences are the ones that can expect the biggest number of attendees (about 24), while Pharmaceutical events are the ones with less quantity of attendees (less than 10). There are also significant differences depending on the country. For example, the number of people attending a press conference in the technology industry is around 20 in Southern and Eastern Europe while in Northern and Central Europe this will be less than 10. In the consumer goods industry we can find as much as 40 attendees in Southern Europe and as less as 5 in Northern Europe.

Concerning meetings and tradeshows that imply travelling, Southern European agencies explain that in their region journalists will not travel if their expenses are not covered, while in Northern Europe 4 out of 10 journalists would still travel on their own expenses. Most countries have said that they need press releases to be translated into their local language in order to distribute them to the press, except for Portugal: here journalists would prefer to receive press releases in English instead of Brazilian Portuguese.

Overall, 29,4% of agencies would recommend Facebook for a B2B campaign. This practice is more popular in Eastern Europe, where 75% of agencies encourage this, and totally unpopular in Northern Europe, where nobody recommended it. Concerning Twitter, most agencies (70,6%) have said that less of 25% of the journalists in their country use it as a professional tool.

“This is a very interesting survey, as it allows us to learn more about common PR trends in Europe, and also about key differences. Each country counts with specific local characteristics that make it unique. In consequence, the way of doing a same announcement even in neighbour countries can vary significantly”, said Imma Folch, Worldcom EMEA Marketing Chair.

The purpose of this survey was to identify differences between regions when dealing with media. Worldcom PR Group has analyzed media trends across Europe in the following market sectors: Tourism; Public Affairs; Pharmaceutical; IT, Technology and Electronics; Health; Fashion and Cosmetics; Food and Beverage and Consumer Goods.

This survey was done in December 2010, and counted with the participation of 17 agencies based in Central Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria), Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovenia and Turkey), Northern Europe (Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom) and Southern Europe (France, Italy, Spain and Portugal).


About Worldcom PR Group
Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with some 109 offices in 95 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent public relations firms could serve national, international and multi-national clients while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through The Worldcom Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. Visit www.worldcomgroup.com for more information.

Worldcom EMEA currently comprises 36 agencies with strong expertise in consumer, healthcare, travel & tourism, technology, energy & environment, financial services, investor relations, public affairs and crisis & issues management. Clients include Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Panasonic, Sony Ericson, LG Electronics, the EU Anti-Tobacco Campaign, Verbatim and Palm. Visit www.worldcomprgroupemea.com for more information.

Press Information:

Press Office Worldcom PR Group EMEA:
LF Channel SL
Flor Calveiro
Tel: +34 93418 81 51
Email: fcalveiro@lfchannel.com
Twitter: @WorldcomEMEA
www.lfchannel.com

ULI NASHVILLE HONORS EIGHT PROJECTS WITH THIRD ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

May 11, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Nashville District Council honored eight area development projects with Excellence in Development Awards last night at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Award entries represented projects from the private and public sector, from Metro Nashville and the region.

“The ULI Excellence in Development Awards celebrate exemplary design, creativity and vision in land use and real estate development, and commitment to the Middle Tennessee community,” said Ed Owens, chairman of ULI. “These best practices should be recognized and shared.”

The winning projects were chosen for their design excellence, innovation in land use, contribution to the community, reflection of the neighborhood or regional character, their use of a public/private partnership, environmental sensitivity and financial viability.

The following projects were announced as this year’s winners, and are listed with corresponding judges’ comments and the development team:

• 12th and Paris: This project is the absolute right fit with the fabric of its urban neighborhood; it’s been a catalyst for reinvestment in its neighborhood; to have gone from a former junk yard to what now is the perfect example of the best kind of reinvestment in an urban neighborhood.
     -  Development team includes: Core Development, Delta Design Development, DA/AD, Core Construction Management, SouthLand Constructors, IDesign Services Inc., Schelton Engineering, Phillip White Engineering, Village Real Estate Services Inc.

• 1700 Midtown: Its strong modern aesthetic both reflects its urban location and sets the design trend for future reinvestment in the area; what a great, unique creative design solution to an infrastructure challenge; this is just how to do Work Force Housing using market rate financing.
     -  Development team includes: Bristol Development Group, Southeast Venture, Hodgson & Douglas, Doster Construction Company, Barge Cauthen & Associates Inc., Smith Seckman Reid Inc, Sterling Engineering, Anderson Design Studio.

• Franklin Police Headquarters: they used every cost-effective and cost-efficient tool of sustainable architecture and development; commendable decision to make a reinvestment into the disinvested part of downtown Franklin versus moving out to develop a Greenfield site; the epitome of a public/private partnership through the entire design process, through public use of the building, and through on-going education of the public on sustainable living practices and sustainable building practices.
     -  Design team includes: City of Franklin, kennon/architects, McClaren Wilson & Lawrie, Hodgson & Douglas, R. G. Anderson Company, TLC Engineering for Architecture, Barge Cauthen & Associates, EnVision Advantage, EMC Structural Engineers.

• Hotel Indigo: they went all out to find a way to make the financials work; purchased the adjacent building, used historic tax credits, used outside-the-box design, reused existing materials; supports economic development in the core with hotel rooms, workforce housing, all from buildings that had been vacant for years.
     -  Development team includes: Wesley Hotels and Resorts, Gresham, Smith and Partners, R.C. Mathews Contractor, I.C. Thomasson Associates, EMC Structural Engineers, The Lee Collections.

• Piedmont Natural Gas Tennessee Operations Center: progressive architectural and use of green building techniques are exemplary; represents a vital investment in jobs and tax-base for Metro Nashville.
     -  Development team includes: Baron+Dowdle Construction/Corporate Investors Partnership V, Baron+Dowdle Construction, Piedmont Natural Gas, C Design Inc., Barge Cauthen & Associates, The Blonder Group.

• The Sawtooth Building: Perfect example of how a user shapes the architecture and how the architecture is a reflection of the user; visionary example of sensitive adaptive reuse; exemplary reinvestment in the city for jobs and tax base; demonstrates that a demand for an urban workplace does exist.
     -  Development team includes: Holladay Properties Inc., Sawtooth Partners, DA/AD, Sandhu Consultants, Parsons Engineering Inc., Schelton Engineering, Ruth Alwes Engineering.

• Terrazzo: Real pioneer in green building in a downtown for mixed use; they faced the financial realitites and challenges of the recession and came out strong; industry-leading green building practices.
     -  Development team includes: Crosland Tennessee, City Development Company, Canyon Capital Realty Advisors, Hastings Architecture Associates, Manuel Zeitlin Architects, Hawkins Partners Inc., The Parent Company, Civil Site Design Group, Smith Seckman Reid Inc., EMC Structural Engineers.

• Westhaven: One of the best examples of traditional neighborhood design; demonstrated a livable community with highest architecture and design aesthetics; its community foundation is innovative and an impressive example of public/private partnership; demonstrates a deep support for community beyond the built form.
     -  Development team: Southern Land Company

Judges for the ULI Nashville 2011 Excellence in Development Awards were Richard M. Rosan, president of Urban Land Institute; William Gilchrist, director of place-based planning for the City of New Orleans; and Richard C. Ward, vice president of Zimmer Real Estate Services and manager of its St. Louis office.

About ULI
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) www.uli.org is a nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members worldwide. The ULI Nashville District Council’s priority is to serve as a convener and collaborator, providing a forum for exchange of ideas and education about best practices in land use for Middle Tennessee’s public, private, educational and nonprofit real estate and land-use community. It has a diverse membership of more than 200 professionals including architects, land planners, engineers, developers, Realtors®, public officials, academicians and attorneys.

LAND ROVER NASHVILLE EARNS TOP LAND ROVER AWARD

May 03, 2011
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Land Rover Nashville was named a recipient of the 2010-11 Land Rover Pinnacle Club Retailer Excellence award by Land Rover North America for the second consecutive year. Land Rover Nashville is one of sixteen Land Rover retailers in the country to achieve this prestigious award.

“Our entire Land Rover Nashville team has worked hard to exceed expectations and provide an all-around exceptional customer experience,” said Nelson Andrews, general manager at Land Rover Nashville. “We are honored to have that hard work and our achievements recognized by the Pinnacle Club award.”

The Land Rover Pinnacle Club is the highest honor a Land Rover retailer can earn. Land Rover Pinnacle Club winners are retailers who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and the Land Rover brand. Evaluation was based on customer satisfaction, sales performance and staff training during the 2010 calendar year.

"The Pinnacle Club award honors the top Land Rover retailers every year who exceed in providing customers with an incomparable Land Rover experience,” said Gary Temple, president at Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “We recognize these retailers for being leaders in their communities, and in our company, by providing first-rate service and sales experience for customers driving the most complete luxury all-terrain vehicles in the world,"

Land Rover has a network of 167 retailers across the United States.

For more information on Land Rover Nashville, visit www.landrovernashville.com.

SSR TO HOST MOBILE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT IN HOUSTON

May 02, 2011
HOUSTON, Texas – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leading engineering design and facility consulting firm, is hosting a Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit on May 5 in Houston. The event will be held at the University of Houston Alumni Center where a panel of industry experts will explore topics surrounding mobile healthcare technology in the acute care setting.

“Our Houston summit continues the discussion about rapidly advancing mobile device technology in healthcare that we started at the Nashville summit last fall,” said Scott Johnson, vice president, communications planning for Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. “This time, we are including the ever important patient viewpoint when our group of respected industry leaders and clinicians gather to discuss the issues and opportunities from differing perspectives.”

Panel experts for the summit include:

• Joyce Sensmeier, vice president of informatics for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS);
• Pamela Redden, director of clinical facilities development and clinical operations at the University of Texas;
• Michael Zachary, director of enterprise architecture for Cook Children’s Healthcare System in Fort Worth, Texas;
• Dr. Christopher Robben, a physician affiliated with Methodist Hospital, part of the Texas Medical Center in Houston;
• Melita Howell, application architect for Clinical Information Systems;
• Dr. Yadin David, a member of the FDA advisory panel employed by Biomedical Engineering Consultants; and
• Robert Sokol, the CFO of INEOS Oligomers, part of Ineos Group Ltd., who will offer feedback from the patient perspective. Bob is a cancer survivor and actively networks with several cancer support groups.

The Summit is from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with a vendor fair following to allow attendees to see and ask questions about some of the new technology. Vendors include: Ascom, Nuance, Premier Wireless, Meru, Cisco, BoxTone, Futura Healthcare Technology, Voalte, InnerWireless, Halco and Amcom.
For the full agenda and more information, visit the Summit’s website at http://www.ssr-inc.com/summit.php.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

DOUG CARDER JOINS SSR TO DIRECT DATA CENTER/MISSION CRITICAL MARKET

April 12, 2011
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, hired Doug Carder, professional engineer (P.E.) in its Kansas City area office as a data center / mission critical specialist. Carder will head the firm’s efforts to further build and expand its reach in this sector.

Carder brings strong project delivery experience and many solid market relationships to his new role. He will coordinate the efforts of teams already in place in multiple SSR offices around the country. Carder will also direct the pursuit of project opportunities, the organization of technical talent and the management of project delivery to match client expectations.

“Doug’s customer-focused and relationship-based approach goes right along with our values at SSR,” said Richard Morris, Executive Vice President of SSR. “He brings practical experience in project delivery and technical management to our clients in the data-center and mission critical markets.”
Carder has served as a principal and director of electrical engineering for a firm specializing in the design and construction of data centers. He is one of a few engineers with the unique 'top to bottom' experience of designing a project and seeing it through to its completion by having an active role and professional stake in each step along the way.

Carder takes pride in the deep relationships he builds with clients. His relationships with a number of businesses, including Cerner Corporation, Kimberly-Clark, Safeway, 1&1 Internet, the State of Kansas, and Anadarko Petroleum, have spanned many successful years. His work with these and other clients on data center construction, commissioning and design provide Carder with the expertise to fully understand the needs of his clients.

A major goal for Carder over the next year will be to build and diversify SSR’s client base, enhancing the firm’s reach in the healthcare market and expanding into the financial, internet and data enterprise sectors.

Carder joined SSR from Smith & Boucher, Inc., where he worked as a senior engineer. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University, where he graduated with honors.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

SSR AND CITY OF GERMANTOWN START HISTORIC ROAD PROJECT

April 07, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, is providing the construction engineering and inspection services for the city of Germantown’s Wolf River Boulevard. This $25 million project is part of the Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary green certification program. It will be the first silver certified road in Tennessee, and the first Audubon certified road in the United States.

Design features for this project include: four 12-foot traffic lanes, 12-foot shoulders with bike lanes, 14-foot medians with native plants, and two span bridges with bike and pedestrian crossings. The construction of this roadway will create a natural parkway for residents and visitors to walk, pedal and drive, while providing a sanctuary for plants and wildlife and filtering clean storm water. The Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary program focuses on combining areas of environmental protection, including wildlife conservation and water use efficiency, with human use.

The project broke ground at the end of March, and construction is scheduled to be completed by July 2013.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

SSR WINS PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD IN ENGINEERING IS ART COMPETITION

April 07, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, was selected as a winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2nd Annual Engineering Art Show, presented by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE). SSR’s entry, Pedestrian Bridge at Wolf River, artistically reflected the city of Memphis and the citizens who will enjoy the firm’s newest bridge project.

The Engineering Art Show calls on firms to submit canvases that portray the creative visual elements of engineering. Proceeds from the show benefit the Memphis-Area MATHCOUNTS competition, a middle school competitive math program that promotes achievements in math through engaging contests.

The People’s Choice Award is voted on by the general public. Earlier this year, the Pedestrian Bridge at Wolf River won the City of Memphis, City Engineer’s Award of Excellence.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

GREEN TO THE CORE, DISTRICT 24 KICKS OFF APRIL 9

April 05, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Metro Councilman Jason Holleman is launching the Go Green energy reduction program in West Nashville with a kick-off event this Saturday, April 9.

Holleman will launch Green to the Core, District 24, at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, at the West Nashville Farmer's Market at Richland Park, 4601 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, 37209. District 24 includes Sylvan Park, Hillwood, Richland Park and some areas in Green Hills and the Whitland neighborhood.

More than 40 percent of America’s carbon emissions come from heating, cooling, lighting and operating buildings. So, neighborhoods across Nashville are joining the grassroots Go Green program to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Other districts participating in the program include District 6, District 25, District 34, and District 18 where Councilmember Kristine LaLonde collaborated with Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville, NES, TVA and Village Real Estate Services to pilot the program. 
    
Other officials who will attend the Green to the Core, District 24 launch event include Congressman Jim Cooper; Nashville Electric Service CEO Decosta Jenkins; Chris Bowles, director of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability; and Mark Deutschmann, Sustainability chairman for ULI Nashville and CEO of Village Real Estate Services. 
    
The Go Green campaign supports Mayor Karl Dean’s Green Ribbon Panel initiatives to reduce Nashville’s energy usage by five percent by 2012 and 20 percent by 2020.
    
An NES In-Home Energy Evaluation is the first step homeowners can take in identifying ways energy usage can be reduced. A TVA-certified evaluator conducts the home evaluation and provides a report outlining the potential energy-efficiency modifications and available cash incentives or financial assistance for making the improvements. 
     
The evaluation fee is $150, but the homeowner is reimbursed if recommended improvements made total more than $150. The homeowner is also reimbursed 50 percent of what is spent, with a maximum grant of $500 to homeowners who take advantage of this program. Federal tax credits may apply for some improvements. 
    
NES performs free assessments for business customers and some businesses may qualify for cash incentives to upgrade lighting, heating and cooling systems.
    
For more information, visit http://gogreen-nashville.com/
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EAST NASHVILLE JOINS GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO REDUCE ENERGY USE

March 29, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 30, 2011 – Metro Councilman Mike Jameson and East Nashville neighborhood leaders are launching District 6 Energy Fix on Saturday, April 2, turning up the heat on a healthy Metro Council competition that encourages Nashville homeowners and businesses to join the energy-reduction Go Green program.

Jameson is hosting the District 6 kickoff party from 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, at 1218 Forrest Ave., Nashville, 37206. It is the first in a series of house parties designed to encourage neighbors to participate in the Go Green program and reduce energy use and carbon emissions. District 6 covers much of downtown and East Nashville and includes the Lockeland Springs, Eastwood Neighbors, East End and Historic Edgefield neighborhoods.

More than 40 percent of America’s carbon emissions come from heating, cooling, lighting and operating buildings. So, neighborhoods across Nashville are joining the grassroots Go Green program to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

The Go Green program started in Metro Council District 18 with Councilmember Kristine LaLonde teaming with Urban Land Institute Nashville, NES, TVA and Village Real Estate Services.

Go Green has also been adopted in District 25. District 24 will launch its Green to the Core in District 24 campaign on April 9. Other districts are also lining up to support Mayor Karl Dean’s Green Ribbon Panel initiatives to reduce Nashville’s energy usage by five percent by 2012 and 20 percent by 2020.

“Energy conservation is the low-hanging fruit when considering effective responses to climate change and our chronic addiction to imported oil and other fossil fuels,” Jameson said. “Those problems will require a wide variety of solutions, so the most accessible, immediate solution people can adopt right now is energy conservation at home.”

An NES In-Home Energy Evaluation is the first step homeowners can take in identifying ways energy usage can be reduced. A TVA-certified evaluator conducts the home evaluation and provides a report outlining the potential energy-efficiency modifications and available cash incentives or financial assistance for making the improvements.

The evaluation fee is $150, but the homeowner is reimbursed if recommended improvements made total more than $150. The homeowner is also reimbursed 50 percent of what is spent, with a maximum grant of $500 to homeowners who take advantage of this program. Federal tax credits may apply for some improvements.

NES performs free assessments for business customers and some businesses may qualify for cash incentives to upgrade lighting, heating and cooling systems.

During the District 6 Energy Fix kickoff party, representatives from NES, TVA, the Mayor’s Office of Environment and Sustainability and other public officials will be on hand to answer questions about the program and incentives being offered.

For more information, visit http://gogreen-nashville.com/

MAYOR KARL DEAN CHALLENGES COMMUNITY TO WALK 100 MILES

March 29, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean today challenged Nashville residents to join him in walking 100 miles from April 2 to July 9, as part of an initiative to promote and build a culture of wellness in the community.

Dean announced the “Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor” challenge at a midday event downtown on the plaza at the Fifth Third building. The program includes 28 separate walking events throughout Metro Nashville’s parks and greenways as well as State of Tennessee-owned properties Radnor Lake and Bicentennial Mall. Challenge participants can walk with Mayor Dean during these events or on their own.

Anyone can register to participate in the Walk 100 Miles challenge by visiting www.Walk100Miles.com. The website includes a tool for individuals to track the miles they have walked and a citywide pedometer that will display the collective miles walked over the course of the three-month challenge.

“I hope that thousands of Nashvillians will join us and either walk with me or walk their neighborhoods, parks and greenways on their own during the spring and summer – and meet the challenge of walking 100 miles,” Dean said. “Getting more active and being healthier will benefit them and our entire city.”

“Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor” is presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the state’s largest health insurer and an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

“At BlueCross, we know that a daily routine of brisk-paced walking can help avoid serious health problems like heart disease, osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes and other conditions associated with obesity,” said Vicky Gregg, CEO of BlueCross. “Through our WalkingWorks for Schools and WalkingWorks program, we’re already encouraging our state’s elementary students and our own BlueCross members to develop regular walking routines. Now we’re proud to Walk 100 Miles with Mayor Dean and ask all in Nashville to join us in the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.”

As part of the event, Dean announced a brand for Nashville that celebrates the spirit in our city that creates healthy, active and green places. The brand will highlight the many opportunities - such as a greenways, community gardens or bike lanes - available for Nashville residents to enjoy and encourage them to live healthy lives. The campaign will also inspire Nashvillians to join their neighbors and the city in further creating a vibrant Nashville that helps make the healthy choice the easy choice where they live, work, play and worship.

The brand is a collaboration between the Metro Public Health Department, the Office of the Mayor and multiple community stakeholders. It is funded by the Health Department's Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant awarded to Nashville by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
MPHD and the Mayor’s office will highlight the brand extensively in the coming year to celebrate what it means to live well in Nashville.

“This 100-mile challenge is the next step in an ongoing effort to make Nashville a healthier city. Already we are adding more sidewalks in our community and promoting the opportunities in our parks and greenways. Now, we can get out there together, have some fun and embrace healthy living in the community,” said Dean.

The first walk is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, beginning at the amphitheater at Bicentennial Mall. Walks will be held each weekend and on selected weekdays through Saturday, July 9. “Walk 100 Miles” locations include a combination of paved and natural trails and will increase in distance from two to 10 miles throughout the challenge.

WALK 100 MILES WITH THE MAYOR SCHEDULE

Saturday April 2 11 a.m. Bicentennial Mall Park
Saturday April 9 11:30 am Cane Ridge Park
Wednesday April 13 5:30 pm Fort Negley
Saturday April 16 2:30 pm Centennial Park
Wednesday April 20 5:30 pm MetroCenter Levee
Saturday April 23 10 am Seven Mile Creek
Wednesday April 27 5:30 pm Hadley Park
Sunday May 1 2 pm Whites Creek
Wednesday May 4 5:30 pm East Bank/Shelby Bridge
Sunday May 8 3 pm Radnor Lake - Lake Trail
Tuesday May 10 5:30 pm Ezell Park
Saturday May 14 10 am Peeler Park
Thursday May 19 5:30 pm Harpeth Woods Trail
Sunday May 22 2 pm Downtown Art Walk
Thursday May 26 5:30 pm Mill Creek -Blue Hole Road
Saturday May 28 1 pm Bells Bend
Tuesday May 31 5:30 pm Harpeth River Walk
Saturday June 4 10 am Beaman Park Ridgetop Trail
Wednesday June 8 5:30 pm Downtown to MetroCenter
Saturday June 11 9 am Warner Park-Mossy Ridge Trail
Tuesday June 14 5:30 pm Stones River (Two Rivers to Stones River Bridge)
Saturday June 18 9 am Richland Creek
Wednesday June 22 5:30 pm Shelby Bottoms Cornelia Fort Trail
Saturday June 25 9 am Harpeth River Greenway
Tuesday June 28 5:30 pm Stones River (Heartland Park to Stone Hall)
Saturday July 2 8 am Stones River (Percy Priest Dam to Stone Hall)
Thursday July 7 5:30 pm Edwin Warner Park
Saturday July 9 8 am Shelby Bottoms

HILLWOOD HIGH PARTNERS WITH BLAKEFORD AT GREEN HILLS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR NURSING CAREERS

March 25, 2011

To encourage today’s youth to prepare for a career in health care, The Blakeford at Green Hills, a continuing care retirement community in Nashville, partners with Hillwood Comprehensive High School.

The Academy of Health Sciences will provide the 40 hours of hands-on training the students need to sit for the CNA Nursing Assistant exam in April. In addition, the partnership with The Blakeford gives students an advanced look at working in the medical field, allowing them to make educated decisions when planning for the future.

The Tennessean, March 14, 2011

WTVF, March 24, 2011

ALAN OTTS NAMED FEATURED ENGINEER BY MJEC

March 21, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis-Area Joint Engineers Council (MJEC) selected Alan Otts, Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer at Smith Seckman Reid (SSR), as its featured engineer during the National Engineers Week activities recognizing industry professionals for excellence in their field.

The MJEC is an umbrella organization for the more than 20 engineering organizations and engineering educational institutions in the Memphis area. Each society or council names a featured engineer as part of National Engineers Week, which is observed the third full week of February each year to call attention to the contributions engineers make to society.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

SSR RECEIVES CITY OF MEMPHIS ENGINEER’S AWARD

March 16, 2011

THREE NASHVILLE ATTORNEYS JOIN STITES & HARBISON

March 16, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville attorneys Martin E. Simmons, John R. Wingo, and Nicolo B. Davidson have joined Stites & Harbison PLLC.

Simmons is a banking and finance attorney with more than 40 years of experience with bank and non-bank acquisitions and a variety of regulatory issues for the Office of Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board. Previously, he was of-counsel at Frost Brown Todd, LLC and general counsel, principal financial officer and corporate secretary at First American Corporation. Simmons serves as counsel to the Real Estate & Banking Group at Stites & Harbison.

Wingo has 15 years of experience and handles defense work in commercial litigation for clients in banking and insurance. Formerly the member-in-charge at Frost Brown Todd, LLC, he also served as associate general counsel at AmSouth Bank. Wingo is a member with the Business Litigation Group at Stites & Harbison.

Davidson, an intellectual property and registered patent attorney with a background in chemical engineering, operated an intellectual law practice after graduation. He is an associate with the Intellectual Property & Technology Group at Stites & Harbison.

“Martin and John are well-respected attorneys in the Middle Tennessee legal community and great additions to our team,” said Stephen Price, office executive of the Nashville office of Stites & Harbison. “Nicolo’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for intellectual property protection will be an asset for our growing practice here in the Nashville office and firm-wide.”

As chairman of the Lawyers Committee of the American Bankers Insurance Association, Simmons was involved in the negotiation and drafting of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act on Financial Modernization, which includes provisions to protect consumers’ personal financial information held by financial institutions. A member of the Nashville Bar Association and the American Bar Association, Simmons holds degrees from Louisiana State University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Wingo is admitted to all Tennessee state and Tennessee federal courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. A member of the Nashville Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association, Wingo holds degrees from Tulane University and Tulane University Law School.

Davidson is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A member of the Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, American Bar Association and Tennessee Intellectual Property Law Association, Davidson holds degrees from the University of Washington in Seattle and Lewis & Clark Law School.

STEPHEN PRICE NAMED STITES & HARBISON OFFICE EXECUTIVE MEMBER

March 13, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn -- Attorney Stephen H. Price is the new office executive member of Stites & Harbison, PLLC’s Nashville office. He replaces attorney A. Stuart Campbell, member of the firm. Campbell has joined the firm’s management committee.

“Stuart has successfully managed the Nashville office’s growth,” said Chairman Kennedy Helm III. “I am confident Stephen will continue the tradition of strong leadership in Nashville.”

In addition to his new role, Price will continue to serve as co-chair of the Employment Law Service Group and participate as an adjunct member of the Business Litigation, Intellectual Property & Technology and Class Action service groups. His practice focuses on complex and commercial litigation, employment law and intellectual property litigation.

Price serves on the board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Middle Tennessee Chapter. He and his wife are co-chairs of the organization’s 2011 Promise Gala on April 16, 2011.

ULI NASHVILLE CALLS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT AWARD ENTRIES

January 25, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jan. 24, 2011 –The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville is accepting applications for its 3rd Annual Excellence in Development Awards through February 18.

All use types of development projects completed between 2004-2011 from the private, public and nonprofit sectors are eligible.

Entries will be judged based on criteria that support ULI’s commitment to best practices in the use of land and leadership in creating sustainable communities. The three-member jury will be looking for outstanding demonstrations in leadership in design and development, sustainability, financial viability and commitment to community.

Applications, details about judging criteria, and all event information can be found at http://nashville.uli.org.

In 2010, 11 area development projects were selected as award winners at the 2nd annual ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Awards. Winning projects ranged from the reuse of the 100 Oaks Mall by Vanderbilt Health to the redesign of the Downtown YMCA.

The mission of this annual event is to celebrate, educate, and reinforce examples of excellence in land use, development and design.

The 2011 winners will be honored during the ULI Nashville Excellence in Development Awards celebration at the Noah Liff Opera Center, on Tuesday, May 10.

About the Urban Land Institute
     The Urban Land Institute (ULI) www.uli.org is a nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members worldwide. ULI Nashville’s priority is to serve as a convener and collaborator, providing a forum for exchange of ideas and education about best practices in land use for Middle Tennessee’s public, private, educational and nonprofit real estate and land-use community. It has a diverse membership that includes architects, engineers, developers, Realtors®, public officials, academicians, attorneys and other industries.

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TSSAA ANNOUNCES BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF TENNESSEE AS TITLE SPONSOR OF THE STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

January 20, 2011

  HERMITAGE, Tenn. – December 2010 - The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) announced today that BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of the 2011 Division I and II high school basketball championships.

The new contract further solidifies the relationship between BlueCross and the TSSAA. BlueCross is also title sponsor of the BlueCross Bowl, the state football championships and BlueCross Spring Fling, the spring sports state championships.

BlueCross began its relationship with TSSAA in 2000 when it became title sponsor of the Division I championship football games. In 2003, BlueCross became the official corporate partner of TSSAA, as well as presenting sponsor of the Division II football championships. BlueCross has been the title sponsor of the BlueCross Spring Fling since 2005.

“The dedication BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has shown to high school athletics in Tennessee for more than a decade has been tremendous. The company’s commitment to the health and well-being of the student athletes in our state grows stronger each and every year. That dedication and commitment is even more evident with the announcement of their title sponsorship of the state basketball tournament,” stated Bernard Childress, executive director of the TSSAA.

“From day one, they have set high standards for high school athletic championships. We are extremely pleased to see the relationship between BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and TSSAA continue to grow and expand,” added Childress.

“School sports have a large impact on a child’s growth and development,” said Janet McConnell, director of brand strategy and new media for BlueCross. “The work TSSAA is doing benefits all Tennesseans by providing opportunities for the next generation of leaders to learn the importance of and experience the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
We are proud to support their efforts.”

The 2011 Division II BlueCross Basketball Championships will be at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville, March 3-5. The Division I Girls’ BlueCross Basketball Championships will be played at MTSU’s Murphy Center, March 9-12. The Division I boys’ tournament will be at MTSU, March 16-19.

About BlueCross

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers its clients peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on reinventing the health plan for its 3 million members. Through its personal health advocacy approach, BlueCross is developing patient-centric products and services that positively impact affordability, patient safety and quality. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbst.com.


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NURSING INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHCARE DESIGN LAUNCHES AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT NURSING ASSOCIATION

January 20, 2011

      NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jan. 18, 2011 – The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD) was recently launched as a not-for-profit nursing association to educate and inspire nurse leaders about their role in healthcare design and construction.

“The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design will provide support, education, and networking for professionals working in the field of healthcare design,” said Sally Russell, NIHD executive director. “The Board of Directors will be working hard with our founding members in the next several months to develop our strategic plan for new initiatives and educational opportunities.“

The concept for the institute began in 2005 when Debbie Gregory, RN, BSN, senior clinical consultant with Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., and Laura Hayes, RN, BSN, MBA, business analyst with InfoWorks, Inc., recognized the need for more collaboration and education between the design and construction community and the clinical community. Gregory will serve as NIHD’s first president.

”For five years we have been laying the groundwork for the nursing voice to be heard in the design and construction community,” said Gregory. “It is rewarding to see the realization of our vision in NIHD, encouraging clinical input in the design of healthcare facilities with the goal of improved healthcare for future generations.”

The launch of NIHD comes on the heels of two recent reports that reinforce the need for such an association. The Institute of Medicine’s The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health encourages communication across disciplines and raising the voice of the nurse, which is the core mission of NIHD. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Addressing the Quality and Safety Gap, Part III examines the impact of the built environment on patient outcomes and the role of nurses in designing health care facilities.

“NIHD is an extension of this important call for change and improved healthcare delivery,” said Gregory. “Bringing the nursing point of view to the design of facilities will have a great impact on efficiency, patient safety and outcomes.”

Members of NIHD receive access to articles, research and data about healthcare design, as well as peer education and mentoring. It invites nurses to collaborate and engage in the design of their work environment. NIHD also offers consultation, data collection and analysis and education for the healthcare design community.

In addition to Gregory, other board members include:
• Kay Rademacher, director, hospital project with The University of Michigan;
• Joyce Benjamin MSN, RN; pursuing nurse practitioner license, Tempe, Arizona;
• Pam Redden, director, clinical facilities development with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
• Jaynelle F. Stichler, professor of nursing at San Diego State University.

About NIHD
The Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design, Inc. is a professional organization formed to promote health care design standards, promote inclusion of nurses in health care design, provide education programs for its members and disseminate new ideas for all areas of health care design. NIHD Inc. collaborates with other national specialty and nursing organizations, health care design and architectural associations, hospitals and governmental agencies in matters affecting health care design as it relates to nursing practice. For more information, visit www.nursingihd.com.

About Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience with facilities nationwide, including healthcare, education, science and technology, research, sports and entertainment, corrections, infrastructure, commercial and industrial clients. For more information about SSR, visit www.ssr-inc.com.

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KATCHER ELECTED TREASURER OF WORLDCOM AMERICAS REGION BOARD

November 17, 2010

        Nashville, Tenn. – Aileen Katcher, a partner at Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, was recently named 2010-2011 board treasurer for the Americas region of The Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms.

As treasurer, she will oversee the budgeting process and finances of the Americas region. Previously, Katcher served on the Americas Region Board as marketing chair.

The thirteen-member Americas Region board will be chaired by Virginia Sheridan, a longtime partner in the Worldcom organization, and president of New York-based M. Silver Associates.

“The strength and success of Worldcom is its global market penetration capabilities, for partner agencies represent every major business sector in the world,” said Sheridan. “We are seeing unprecedented growth and interest in joining the organization and it is gratifying to know that every Worldcom partner has the backing and support to service local, national and international clients from the most capable public relations practitioners in business today,” adds Sheridan.

Sheridan succeeds Stefan Pollack (The Pollack PR Marketing Group, Los Angeles) as board chair. Dorothy Pirovano (PCI, Chicago) assumes the role as chair-elect and will also oversee member-retention as part of her duties. Three members of the 2010-2011 Americas Region board are serving for the first time: Dennis Collins (Tech Image, Chicago), marketing; Sharon Linhart (Linhart PR, Denver, Colo.), meetings; and Elizabeth Sosnow (BlissPR, New York), online/interactive.

Other board members elected for the 2010-2011 term include: Angelica Consiglio (Planin, São Paulo, Brazil), Latin America/Membership; Chris Baldwin (Liggett Stashower, Cleveland, Ohio), member recruitment; Francie Israeli (John Adams Associates, Washington), peer review; Mike Greece (Padilla Speer Beardsley, New York), practice groups; Sandy Hermanoff (Hermanoff Public Relations, Detroit, Mich.), professional development; Todd Lynch (St. John & Partners, Jacksonville, Fla.), sponsorship/vendor relations; and David Grossman (the Grossman Group, Chicago) who will oversee Worldcom University, the group’s revamped learning and educational arm.

The group also added two new partners to its roster of independent agencies during its Americas Region annual meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. The newest partners to Worldcom Public Relations Group are Los Angeles-based IW Group and Wordsworth Communications based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Worldcom also added two offices in Latin America: LatinMedia Comunicaciones Limitada based in Santiago, Chile, and Ibcom, a full service corporate and financial communications agency with offices in Latin America and Spain.

About the Worldcom Public Relations Group
Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 112 offices in 93 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent firms could deliver immediate impact and sustained value through the intelligent use of communications – wherever in the world a client needs support. Partners serve national, international and multi-national clients, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through Worldcom Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. For more information, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

AHIP PRESIDENT AND CEO DISCUSSES HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

November 01, 2010
 Nashville, Tenn. – Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), spoke to Nashville Health Care Council members today about the health insurance industry’s perspective on health care reform and how the industry is preparing for its implementation.

Ignagni highlighted the innovative programs health plans have implemented to improve the quality and safety of patient care and how these initiatives can serve as models for larger delivery system reforms. She also discussed what health plans are doing to implement the new reforms in the least disruptive way possible while underscoring the need for further efforts to address the skyrocketing cost of medical care.

“Health care costs are crushing our economy and placing too heavy of a burden on hard working families.” said Ignagni. “We cannot wait any longer to address this issue. We have to get the growth of health care costs under control if we are going to have a sustainable health care system and a strong economy.”

More than 200 health care industry executives attended the briefing at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. Today’s program was the second in a year-long Health Care Reform Series, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which offers insights on key provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including policy development, implementation and potential outcomes. Vicky Gregg, current AHIP chairperson and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, introduced Ignagni.

“Karen and all the attendees at today’s event understand that the future of the health care system in this country rests not on the shoulders of just one group but of all stakeholders,” Gregg said. “It’s all about collaboration and finding innovative solutions to balance the need for expanding access to quality care while maintaining affordability.”

Ignagni stressed that a workable and sustainable solution for health care reform will be a uniquely American blend of public and private influence to preserve benefits for employers and consumers and foster innovation.

“Nashville is home to a large and diverse health care community with operations on a national scale,” said Council President Caroline Young. “Health care reform impacts all of these companies, often in different ways. Today’s and future programs in this policy series will ensure that the Council continues to provide timely and valuable information to our members who are leading health care trends across the country.”

Details for future series programs will be announced later this year.

About the Nashville Health Care Council
The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. The health care industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer, contributing approximately 210,000 jobs and $30 billion to the local economy. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.

HOLLEY M. STEIN EARNS ACCREDITATION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS DESIGNATION

October 26, 2010

Accreditation Designation (APR) Signifies High Level of Experience, Competence

KVBPR Senior Account Executive Holley M. Stein has earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation, the profession’s only national post-graduate certification program, administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB).

The purpose of accreditation is to advance the profession of public relations by identifying those who have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and professional judgment in the field. The program seeks to improve public relations practice, according to the Public Relations Society of America, a member of the UAB coalition which administers the accreditation program.

Stein joined KVBPR as an account executive in 2007 and has managed accounts for clients in the health care, consumer goods and civic growth and development industries.  Stein brings 10 years of experience to her role as senior account executive, and she is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of communication plans, managing client accounts, media relations and alliance development. A 2007 graduate of the Young Leaders Council, Stein currently serves on the council’s board of directors.

To earn Accreditation, candidates undergo an oral review of knowledge, skills and abilities before a panel of Accredited professionals, followed by a computer-based examination that includes questions to test the candidate on a variety of topics.

Established in 1964, the Accreditation Program measures a public relations practitioner’s fundamental knowledge of communications theory and its application; establishes advanced capabilities in research, strategic planning, implementation and evaluation; and demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and ethical conduct. Currently, more than 5,000 professionals from the agency, corporate, association and education fields hold the APR mark.

All Accredited professionals are required to complete continuing education programs, pursue volunteer work or pursue other professional development activities to keep their skills sharp and their Accredited status active.

About KVBPR
Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations, Inc. (KVBPR) was founded in 1996 and works with clients in healthcare, civic growth and development and other fields to position those companies strategically with the people who matter most. KVBPR develops and implements programs designed to align interests, build relationships and create success.  The firm is a partner in the WORLDCOM Public Relations Group, the world's leading partnership of independently owned public relations firms, and is active in the Word of Mouth Marketing Association.

About UAB
The UAB oversees the APR Program and provides a balanced blend of backgrounds in a number of public relations specialties, with representatives from each public relations participating organization. Day-to-day operations are administered at PRSA Headquarters. The UAB grants Accreditation, develops the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations and policies, and reviews appeal cases. The public relations organizations that are members of the Universal Accreditation Board include the Agricultural Relations Council, Florida Public Relations Association, Maine Public Relations Council, National School Public Relations Association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Religion Communicators Council, Southern Public Relations Federation, Texas Public Relations Association and Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Public Relations Association).

CIVIL WAR PRESERVATION TRUST RECOGNIZES STITES & HARBISON LAW FIRM

October 20, 2010

Firm Recognized For Leadership and Contribution in Battlefield Preservation Efforts

The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) has recognized Stites & Harbison PLLC for the law firm’s leadership and generosity in rendering more than $1 million in pro bono services to support battlefield preservation during the past five years.

According to CWPT President Jim Lighthizer, Stites & Harbison has helped lead efforts to preserve valuable battlefield acreage in Franklin and Middle Tennessee In addition to rendering legal services for the acquisition of battlefield property, Stites & Harbison has provided services to support and maintain Franklin’s Charge, an organization that is working to preserve and restore the Battle of Franklin battlefield. 

“The leadership and work that Stites has provided is so far outside the box of what any other organization is doing to ensure this historic acreage is preserved,” said Lighthizer. “Their understanding and commitment to helping us preserve these hallowed grounds is invaluable.”

CWPT has more than 55,000 members and is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States, having preserved more than 29,000 acres of battlefield land across the nation.

Attorneys Julian Bibb and Miranda Christy, along with staff support from Stacey Watson, Frances Regan and Christina Willow, have provided the bulk of the support rendered by Stites & Harbison.

“We are appreciative of the recognition given to the law firm by CWPT,” said Bibb.   “This has been a remarkable five years.  Our efforts have supported land preservation, education and tourism.  It’s been exciting to see the success of these efforts and we certainly enjoy our relationship with CWPT.”

About Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison, PLLC, is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys in Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, Ky.; Alexandria, Va.; Atlanta; Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Nashville and Franklin, Tenn.  Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation and among the largest law firms in the Southeast.  Our attorneys are consistently recognized by their peers in the following leading legal directories: Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory®, The Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers magazine.  Recent firm honors include being named: one of the Top 15 Places to Work in Kentucky — three years in a row (Kentucky Chamber of Commerce), one of the 50 Best Overall Law Firms in America (Global Research), one of the Leading Law Firms in America (The American Lawyer), a Go-To Law Firm® (Corporate Counsel), one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine) and a Top 10 Growth Firm (National Law Journal). 

SMITH SECKMAN REID NAMED 2010 BEST MULTIDISCIPLINE A/E SERVICES FIRM TO WORK FOR

October 19, 2010

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, has been named the top large Multidiscipline A/E Services Firm To Work For in the country based on workplace practices, employee benefits and employee retention rates.

SSR ranked No. 1 among multidiscipline firms, with more than 300 employees.

“Our success is largely dependent on our ability to find, develop and retain great people,” said Rob Barrick, SSR CEO.  “This recognition and the feedback we received from our staff will help us continue to be known as a great place to work.”

The Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firms To Work For ranking is managed by Stagnito Media and executed by ZweigWhite, a management consulting and research firm.  The annual ranking identifies the top industry firms in civil engineering, structural engineering, multidiscipline A/E services, environmental service, and architecture.

According to ZweigWhite, SSR was selected based on its commitment to provide a positive work environment and challenging and interesting work opportunities for its employees, and for achieving high levels of employee satisfaction.

SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and municipal projects. To learn more, visit www.ssr.com.

SSR ELLERS ENGINEERS RECEIVE TENNESSEE TRANSPORTATION AND CIVIL ENGINEER AWARDS

October 19, 2010

SSR Ellers’ engineers Ben Ledsinger and Patrick Smith were recently recognized by the Tennessee Section Institute of Transportation Engineers (TSITE) and Heather Kraus by the Tennessee Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Ben Ledsinger received the Jack B. Humphreys Young Member Award, which recognizes a TSITE member under 35 who has contributed significantly to the section or the profession. 

Patrick Smith was honored with the Tennessee Section Outstanding Individual Award.  This award, is given to a TSITE member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the profession and to ITE at the state and district levels.

Heather Kraus was given the Young Engineer Award from the Tennessee Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  The Young Engineer Award recognizes younger members of ASCE (35 years of age or younger) who have advanced the profession; exhibited technical competence, high character and integrity; developed improved member attitudes toward the profession; and contributed to public service outside their professional careers. 

SSR is an employee-owned engineering design and facility consulting firm with 40-plus years of experience in health care, sports and entertainment, institutional and municipal projects. To learn more, visit www.ssr.com.

WORLDCOM PUBLIC RELATIONS GROUP ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A REDESIGNED WORLDCOM UNIVERSITY

September 27, 2010

David Grossman Installed as Worldcom University's Inaugural President

CLEVELAND, Ohio – David Grossman, founder and president of the Grossman Group, a Worldcom Public Relations Group partner firm in Chicago, was installed today as the first president of the newly redesigned Worldcom University, the learning and education center of The Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s largest global PR partnership. Worldcom’s Americas Region president Stefan Pollack, president of Los Angeles-based, The Pollack PR Marketing Group, made the announcement at Worldcom’s Americas Group annual meeting in Cleveland, Ohio this week.

Worldcom University, originally launched in the 1990’s, has been completely retooled.  “It will serve as the exclusive education and learning center for the 1,800 employees of our 107 Worldcom partner firms around the world,” said Pollack.  “Its diverse content offers instant knowledge sharing and enhanced curricula for all Worldcom partner firms and their employees. David’s talents and reputation for strategic leadership development and internal communications makes him the right person to lead this new proprietary knowledge Worldcom center,” Pollack added. 

New offerings on the interactive site will include instructional videos, webinars, whitepapers as well as thought leadership conversations culled from blogs and social media sites. The online classrooms will provide Worldcom members the opportunity to stay current as to innovative practices as well as rapidly evolving tools used in public relations, marketing and advertising. 

“We are committed to providing our partnership the best practices in communications from around the world,” said Grossman, “The knowledge base inside Worldcom is immense and unmatched and, with this new exclusive education portal, we will be able to reach out to our entire partner base with the best proven techniques and practices in the industry.”

David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, is a renowned international consultant, speaker, author, and leader on communications inside organizations. His latest book “You Can’t Not Communicate” delivers impactful details on how today’s corporate leaders can get communications right. His agency, The Grossman Group, is an award-winning communications consultancy focused on organizational consulting, strategic leadership development and internal communications. Grossman provides more than 20 years of industry experience to Worldcom and Worldcom University.

To learn more about Worldcom Public Relations and the new Worldcom University, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

About the Worldcom Public Relations Group
Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with 107 offices in 95 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent firms could deliver immediate impact and sustained value through the intelligent use of communications – wherever in the world a client needs support. Partners serve national, international and multi-national clients, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through Worldcom Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. For more information, please visit www.worldcomgroup.com.

CADILLAC TOPS LUXURY AUTO MARKET IN NASHVILLE

September 21, 2010

Polk Registration Data Shows 39 Percent Sales Increase Since ‘09

Cadillac is the Nashville area’s No. 1 selling luxury automobile in 2010 with a 15.1 percent share of this highly competitive segment, according to retail registration data released by R.L. Polk & Co.

In its mid-year report, Polk reported that Cadillac enjoyed a 1.8 percent share change, year-to-year, from July 2009, up from its 13.4 market share in 2009. As of July 2010, there were 487 new retail registrations of Cadillac vehicles, up from 349 vehicles in July 2009.

Detroit-based R.L. Polk is the automotive industry’s leading provider of data and marketing information, providing extensive reports and industry trends to manufacturers and auto dealers.

The top five luxury brands registered in the Nashville DMA include No. 2 Lexus with 14.8 percent market share, followed by BMW (11.5 percent), Mercedes-Benz (11.4) and Infiniti (9.9 percent).

“Cadillac continues to build the premium luxury American automobile, and this increased market share shows that Nashville-area consumers recognize that there is a Cadillac for every consumer – a well-built, technologically advance automobile that  delivers an outstanding value for the owner,” said Nelson Andrews, general manager of Andrews Cadillac.

Nationally, Cadillac ranks fifth in the luxury market with a 9.1 percent share of the market, trailing Lexus with a leading 16.6 percent share. BMW is second with 15.1 percent, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 15 percent. Acura is fourth nationally with 9.8 percent of the market. In the national Polk report, Cadillac saw a nation-leading 1.6 percent increase in market share with a 33.6 sales percent change since July 2009.

“We’re a bit ahead of the national curve with Cadillac sales, and that is a credit to our sales team who continue their great efforts to work with our customer and prospect bases to make certain we can offer them the best possible deal on a great car,” said Andrews.

About Andrews Cadillac
Locally owned Andrews Cadillac is one of the largest volume Cadillac dealers in the United States and offers the largest selection in Middle Tennessee, carrying a full range of options within Cadillac’s luxury and performance offerings. For more information about Andrews Cadillac, visit www.AndrewsCadillac.com.