Promotions, hirings, achievers and company news

Here is a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:

Baker Donelson shareholder Craig C. Conley became a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator for the state of Tennessee and is able to serve as a neutral party who assists in the resolution of disputes through a voluntary settlement process that is less costly, time-consuming, and adversarial than litigation. Conley is a member of the firm’s Health Care Litigation Group. A law school graduate of the University of Memphis, he also is a member of the American Health Law Association and the Association of Corporate Counsel, as well as the Memphis and Tennessee Bar associations.

Baptist Memorial Health Care named Dr. H.F. Mason chief quality officer for the 22-hospital health care organization. In this newly created role, Mason will provide leadership and oversight for corporate quality, infection prevention, quality data, analytics, and accreditation and compliance. He will help develop a comprehensive clinical quality and safety strategy to maintain a high level of care at all Baptist Memorial facilities. Mason will also work toward earning his certified physician executive designation and a master’s degree in health care quality and safety. Mason will continue to serve as the chief medical officer for Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton. He graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical School and completed his general surgery residency training at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Mason has worked as a general surgeon for more than 20 years and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.

John Tarpley, a shareholder in Lewis Thomason’s Nashville office, recently helped form the Trucking Defense Advocates Counsel, a commercial transportation advocacy organization. The TDAC held its first meeting with 300 participants from the commercial transportation industry. Tarpley has established himself as one of the preeminent lawyers who represent commercial transportation companies and their employees nationwide. He has successfully defended trucking companies in state and federal courts and at mediations and settlement proceedings throughout the country. 

Lehman-Roberts announced the promotion of Walter Shoemaker Jr. to Grade Crew Foreman. The process of road grading includes measures in which existing asphalt is removed for repaves and repair work. He will direct, teach and manage all onsite team members, while supervising subcontractors and equipment. In addition, he will be responsible for understanding DOT measures and quality control guidelines. Lastly, he will enforce the company’s direction and safety standards while meeting construction deadlines. Prior to the promotion, he served as leadman for the Grade Crew. Shoemaker has been with the family of companies, which includes Memphis Stone & Gravel Co. for more than 10 years. Additionally, Lehman-Roberts promoted Nicole Billingsley to Accounting Supervisor. She will be responsible for the management of accounts payable and finance responsibilities related to the processing of material and job hauling tickets, as well as assisting with accounts receivable collections. Previously, Billingsley was Accounting Specialist. She has been a member of the team since September 2020.

FirstBank Investment Partners, the investment division of FirstBank with offices throughout the Southeast, hired Katy Valadie Cottle to its Investment Partners team as a Certified Financial Planner and Sales Assistant. In her new role, Cottle will advise clients in the Chattanooga, Memphis and Franklin markets on life insurance, annuity and investment strategies. During the past 19 years, she worked at another financial institution as a wealth management advisor after earning her CFP.