Memphis in May International Festival is adding four members to its board of directors for the 2019 festival.

They are Dow McVean, principal of McVean Trading and Investments; Al Gossett, president and CEO of Gossett Motor Cars; Ron Cohen, territory account manager for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Pat Kerr Tigrett, chairwoman, president and CEO of Pat Kerr Inc. and a past Memphis in May board member.

2. Memphis in May Adds Four to Festival Board - Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Memphis in May International Festival is adding four members to its board of directors for the 2019 festival.

They are Dow McVean, principal of McVean Trading and Investments; Al Gossett, president and CEO of Gossett Motor Cars; Ron Cohen, territory account manager for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Pat Kerr Tigrett, chairwoman, president and CEO of Pat Kerr Inc. and a past Memphis in May board member.

3. Fizdale: Lessons Learned in Memphis Will Help in New Job With Knicks - Friday, May 11, 2018

It seems like a long time ago now — or maybe it doesn’t — but back in the middle of David Fizdale’s rookie season as an NBA head coach he had the Grizzlies 11 games over .500 (36-25). Back then, it seemed logical and likely that he would put down roots here.

4. As Rookie NBA Head Coach, Grizzlies’ David Fizdale Earns Acclaim - Friday, February 24, 2017

He has been forthright – with his players and when speaking with the media. First-year Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale doesn’t go in for verbal gymnastics or political double-talk.

Nor does he worry about appearances. He cancelled shoot-arounds on game days multiple times right before the All-Star break because he believed his veteran guys could use the rest. A more paranoid coach, a less assured man, might have worried about the fallout if the results were not good.

5. Growing Pains - Saturday, December 24, 2016

First came the ho-hum start that left open the possibility the Grizzlies’ harshest critics might be right: This season could be the fast-forwarded beginning of an end, a sad narrative that could leave the Grizzlies on the outside of the postseason after a thrilling six-year run.

6. September 2-8, 2016: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, September 3, 2016

2011: The Shelby County Commission has a list of 100 citizens interested in being appointed to seven positions on what will be a new 23-member countywide school board.
The board, which will serve in the move to a consolidated public school system for all of Shelby County, includes all nine current Memphis City Schools board members and all seven Shelby County Schools board members. Meanwhile, appointments are also being made to the Transition Planning Commission, which will make recommendations on the structure of the schools merger.

7. Videographer to Release Stanford Documentary - Wednesday, October 21, 2015

One night several years ago, while he was watching Alex Gibney’s film, “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” Houston-based videographer Dave Henry got an idea.

8. Events - Tuesday, September 1, 2015

The Peabody will host its 146th anniversary celebration and the induction of Pat Kerr Tigrett into the Duck Walk Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 4:30 p.m. at the hotel, 149 Union Ave. The party will include champagne, hors d’oeuvres, cake and entertainment by Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Visit peabodymemphis.com.

9. Events - Monday, August 31, 2015

The Peabody will host its 146th anniversary celebration and the induction of Pat Kerr Tigrett into the Duck Walk Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 4:30 p.m. at the hotel, 149 Union Ave. The party will include champagne, hors d’oeuvres, cake and music by Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Visit peabodymemphis.com.

10. Events - Saturday, August 29, 2015

Boscos Squared will host the Boscos Cycling Patio 150, a benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Thursday, Sept. 3, starting at 5 p.m. at 2120 Madison Ave. Members of the Boscos Cycling team will ride 150 miles on stationary bikes to raise funds. Tickets are not required, but cash donations will be accepted. Visit facebook.com/boscoscycling for details.

11. Events - Friday, August 28, 2015

South Main Trolley Night will be held Friday, Aug. 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the South Main Historic Arts District. Visit gosouthmain.com/trolley-night.html for details.

12. Events - Thursday, August 27, 2015

AAF Memphis and AIGA Memphis will host a joint luncheon with Debbie Millman, president of Sterling Brands’ design division, Thursday, Aug. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kroc Center’s Hardin Grand Hall, 800 East Parkway S. The topic is “On Rejection: How the Worst Moments of Your Life Can Turn Out to Be the Best.” Visit aafmemphis.org/events for details and registration.

13. Boner, Fate and the Summer of Shame - Saturday, July 11, 2015

Phil Bredesen knew what he was trying to do. He just didn’t know if he could accomplish it.

“I had this sense that Nashville was ready for change,” says the former Metro mayor and Tennessee governor, reflecting on his early motivation for taking on the system that had run Nashville for decades.

14. Fashion Forward - Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Memphis Fashion Week is celebrating its emergence as a full-fledged event.

For the past three years it has been known as Memphis Fashion Weekend, but a new branding effort through inferno LLC has produced a stable logo and a stable vision.

15. Harahan Bridge Could Get Brighter - Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Memphis civic and business leaders are in the early stages of talking with an anonymous donor about lighting the Harahan Bridge while a Memphis-based movie theater titan is exploring building a new theater Downtown.

16. Future Talk - Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Years off the campaign trail haven’t diminished the typical features of an Al Gore speech.

When the former vice president’s book tour swung through The Booksellers at Laurelwood Monday, Feb. 18, there were the requisite shout-outs to familiar faces in the crowd, with Gore acknowledging by name people like Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Roy Herron, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

17. Memphis Featured in Delta 'Sky' Mag - Thursday, December 1, 2011

The December issue of “Sky” – the award-winning onboard magazine of Delta Air Lines Inc. – features a 37-page section on Memphis.

18. Girl Scouts Prepare to Celebrate Centennial - Friday, August 26, 2011

In the age of Photoshopped billboard images, teenage breast augmentation and “Toddlers & Tiaras,” the Girls Scouts of America is preparing to celebrate 100 years of countering the latest trends through building girls’ courage, confidence and character.

19. After the Fall: The messy cleanup of Stanford Financial - Monday, September 28, 2009

R. Allen Stanford, the Texas billionaire now passing time in a Texas jail for his role in what U.S. regulators have called a “massive Ponzi scheme,” once told a roomful of his employees they ought to have three priorities in life.

20. Scope of Stanford Scandal Vast, Deep - Tuesday, February 24, 2009

When the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint in federal court last week accusing Stanford Financial Group of defrauding billions from investors, the case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay.

21. STANFORD SHOCKER - Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a Texas billionaire whose family of companies has deep ties to Memphis with an $8 billion securities fraud.

Asking for “emergency relief to halt a massive, ongoing fraud,” a complaint issued by the SEC Tuesday alleges the businessman, R. Allen Stanford – chairman of the Stanford Financial Group of companies – schemed to sell about $8 billion worth of certificates of deposit that promise higher returns than would have been available with genuine CDs offered by traditional banks.

22. Stanford Financial Chairman Charged With $8B Fraud - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a Texas billionaire whose family of companies has deep ties to Memphis with an $8 billion securities fraud.

Asking for "emergency relief to halt a massive, ongoing fraud," a complaint issued by the SEC Tuesday alleges the businessman, R. Allen Stanford – chairman of the Stanford Financial Group of companies – schemed to sell about $8 billion worth of certificates of deposit that promise higher returns than would have been available with genuine CDs offered by traditional banks.

Also named in the Texas complaint are James Davis, the chief financial officer of Stanford Financial Group Inc. who works in East Memphis’ Crescent Center, as well as Laura Pendergest-Holt, the chief investment officer of Stanford Financial Group. She supervises a group of analysts in Memphis, among other places, according to the SEC.

"Stanford and Davis have wholly failed to cooperate with the commission's efforts to account for the $8 billion of investor funds purportedly held by SIB (Stanford International Bank, the banking unit of the family of companies)," the SEC's complaint reads. "In short, approximately 90 percent of SIB's claimed investment portfolio resides in a 'black box' shielded from any independent oversight."

The particulars

Stanford's banking unit claims $8.5 billion in assets, and its brokerage unit reportedly has about $50 billion in assets. The SEC alleges the bulk of the banking unit’s investment portfolio was monitored by two people – Stanford and Davis.

The company and its executives cast a long shadow in Memphis, as does the sprawling complaint unveiled this week.

Law enforcement personnel Tuesday entered Stanford offices in the U.S. in more than one city, including Memphis. Memphis FBI officials could not be reached Tuesday afternoon, but were believed to be seizing records there.

The day before the SEC’s allegations were unveiled, a Stanford Financial Group spokesman told The Daily News the company was cooperating with investigators.

“Both FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and the SEC have stated to us that their recent visits to our offices were part of a routine examination,” said Brian Bertsch. “We have provided U.S. regulators with the information requested and intend to comply fully with any findings or recommendations they may issue.”

Bertsch would not confirm if the company’s Memphis office was one of six locations visited in January by the SEC and FINRA.

Far-reaching operation

More than three dozen police officers and other law enforcement officials entered two Stanford Group office buildings in Houston Tuesday morning, according to The New York Times.

Several key aspects of the case, meanwhile, point to activities of the company that unfolded in Memphis or are related to the Bluff City.

"SIB's multi-billion (dollar) portfolio of investments is purportedly monitored by SFG's chief financial officer in Memphis, Tenn.," according to the SEC. That executive, James Davis, refused to appear and give testimony in the SEC investigation.

Meanwhile, “The bank's (senior investment officer) was trained by Ms. Pendergest-Holt to tell investors that the bank's multi-billion (dollar) portfolio was ‘monitored’ by the analyst team in Memphis,” the SEC’s complaint reads. “In communicating with investors, the SIO followed Pendergest's instructions, misrepresenting that a team of 20-plus analysts monitored the bank’s investment portfolio. In so doing, the SIO never disclosed to investors that the analysts only monitor approximately 10 percent of SIB's money.

“In fact, Pendergest-Holt trained the SIO ‘not to divulge too much’ about oversight of the bank's portfolio because that information ‘wouldn’t leave an investor with a lot of confidence.’”

One spark that may have added fuel to the fire concerns allegations from former Stanford employees.

D. Mark Tidwell and Charles Rawl last year filed a wrongful termination suit in state court in Texas alleging “various unethical and illegal business practices, including overstating the asset value of individuals in a manner designed to mislead potential investors and purging electronic data from computers in response to an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” according to a court filing in the Texas case. “According to Tidwell and Rawl, they left the company after realizing that they could possibly be implicated in the alleged illegal acts.”

Wellspring of support

The charges cast a dark cloud over a company that has been a generous benefactor of several causes in Memphis.

In the most recent edition of the Stanford Eagle, the in-house magazine of Stanford Financial Group, Stanford is shown seated among a quartet of children who all appear to be patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All of them are smiling, and one is sitting on the businessman’s knee, cradled in his arm.

St. Jude is among the many local causes supported by Stanford's business interests. The annual Stanford St. Jude Championship alone has raised more than $19 million for the hospital since 1970. Stanford signed on as the major sponsor in 2007 after FedEx shifted its involvement.

The Houston-based financial services company, which operates an investment brokerage office in Memphis, provides financial support to the hospital as its “corporate charity of choice,” according to the magazine.

In the most recent edition of the magazine, Tony Thomas, the son of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, said Stanford’s chairman “has been a blessing for us and for the children and patients of St. Jude. … His support has resulted in $15 million in the last three years.”

Among the Memphis causes it supports, the Houston company is a corporate sponsor of the National Civil Rights Museum and a contributor to the Greater Memphis Arts Council, the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis and the Ave Maria Foundation of Memphis, according to a report from Stanford about its community investments. Stanford’s charitable foundation also is based in Memphis.

A reception several years ago to celebrate the company’s growth in Memphis was held at the home of local fashion designer Pat Kerr Tigrett, with guests including Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton and FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, according to news accounts of the event.

23. Corker Justifies Bailout Vote - Wednesday, October 29, 2008

As lawmakers scrambled over the last several months to deal with the fallout of the plunging U.S. economy, Tennessee’s junior senator quietly established himself as a force to be reckoned with among key decision makers.

24. Behind the Scenes - Tuesday, September 30, 2008

For television viewers around the world, it began with the host of PBS’ “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” intoning, “Good evening from the Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.”

25. City Council to ReappointThree to Film Commission - Tuesday, February 5, 2008
     Herbert S. O'Mell, Pat Kerr Tigrett and Blanchard E. Tual are expected to be reappointed to the Memphis and Shelby County Film Commission during today's Memphis City Council meeting.
     Als

26. In Their Court - Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The developers of the 30-story, $175 million One Beale project have tapped a veteran Nashville PR firm to market their hotel, office and condominium mega-development. They're even looking down the line at creating a flashy online multimedia presentation to serve a similar purpose.

27. Events - Friday, November 18, 2005

The Memphis Advertising Federation meets at 11:30 a.m. today at Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Visit www.memphisadfed.org.

Memphis Woman Magazine presents the 2005 Memphis Women's Expo today through Sunday at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Call 761-8114 or visit www.memphiswomensexpo.com.

28. University of Memphis Law School Hosts Open House - Monday, November 14, 2005

Nov. 14

The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law hosts an open house and admissions workshop from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in room 250 at the law school, 3715 Central Ave. Call 678-5403.

29. Archived Article: Comm Briefs - Friday, April 27, 2001
The Around the World Marguerite Piazza Gala to benefit St The "Around the World" Marguerite Piazza Gala to benefit St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Peabody. This is the 25th anniversary of the gala. A h...

30. Archived Article: Blues Ball (lead) - Wednesday, September 20, 2000
The Blues Ball plays at Gibson Guitar Factory Gibson factory site of Blues Ball encore By Sue Pease The Daily News For a Memphis business desiring to raise awareness about its products and services, having a party, or rather "the" party of...

31. Archived Article: Blues Ball P2 - Monday, August 7, 2000
2000 Blues Ball goes global with eBay 2000 Blues Ball goes global with eBay Want to party with Isaac Hayes at his birthday celebration this month at the Copacabana in New York City? Well, you can. Visit http://www.ebay.com/theme/tickets.html and cli...

32. Archived Article: Comm Briefs - Friday, August 20, 1999
Memphis Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Pat Kerr Tigrett to support Memphis music through scholarships and sponsorships, has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Isaac Hayes Scholarship Fund at Manassas High School Memphis Chari...