Benny Lendermon III, director of public works for the city of Memphis, has been named this years outstanding engineering alumnus by the Engineering Alumni Chapter of the University of Memphis Benny Lendermon III, director of public works for the city of Memphis, has been named this years outstanding engineering alumnus by the Engineering Alumni Chapter of the University of Memphis. Pickering Inc. has announced five new employees. John M. Albright has joined Pickering as a project coordinator. He has more than 26 years experience in architectural design and is the author of "AutoCAD for Architects and Engineers." James L. Easter, a landscape architect intern, has joined Pickerings landscape architecture department. He has a bachelors degree from Mississippi State University. Roderick J. Mitchell has joined the company as a mechanical technician. He has a bachelors degree from Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical University. Robert M. Stainton III has joined Pickering as an environmental scientist. He has a bachelors degree from Arkansas State University and a masters degree from the University of Arkansas. Julie Thomas has joined the company as a payroll accountant. She has more than seven years of administrative and accounting experience. Steve Samp has been appointed chief financial officer for Cortelco Systems. He formerly worked for Guardsmark Inc. as a vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer. He has a masters degree from the Wharton Graduate School of Business and a bachelors degree from Ohio State University. Lynn Ackerman Landau has joined the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell and will concentrate her practice in commercial real estate. She previously was a partner with King & Spalding in Atlanta. She has a bachelors degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from Emory University. Mark Chambers has been appointed financial analyst for Home-Bound Medical Inc. Chambers previously was senior business analyst with Smith & Nephew. AccuBanc Mortgage Corp. has named Rema Nance area production manager, Carolyn Barnard senior loan coordinator and Lance Jolly loan originator. R. Michael Potter of Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC received the Ira Samelson Jr. Distinguished Service Award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis. Erma Williams has been appointed to the board of directors of Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union. She has been employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 22 years and serves as network specialist at the bulk mail center. J. Richard Walker has been elected chairman of the board of directors of Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union. Before retiring from Memphis City Schools, Walker served as assistant superintendent of business affairs and director of finance. Cleo Long, department head and associate professor of clinical nutrition, dietetics and food administration at Shelby State Community College, has been selected 1998 Outstanding Dietetic Educator by the Dietetic Educators of Practitioners. Kris Bizjack was elected president of the Mid-South Health Underwriters Association. Other officers include vice president Chuck Fisher, secretary Kathy Greer, treasurer Don Lamb, membership chair Grant Baucek, legislative concerns chair Bart Berretta, education chair Bill McCrary and communications chair Trent Hall. Jan Gwin was elected chairman of the AXA/Equitable Liberty Bowl. Other officers include president Jim Campbell, first vice president Ric Wolbrecht, secretary John Barzizza and treasurer Greg Duckett. Tom Cowens, senior facilities manager for Trammell Crow Co., was elected 1998-1999 president of the Phoenix Club. Other officers include vice president of fund-raising Kris Whitson, vice president of programs Dabney Collier III, vice president of membership Patrick Demere, treasurer Phil Stevenson, assistant treasurer Kemp Conrad, secretary Ronnie Solberg, chaplain Stephen Clinton and greeting card chairman Michael Head.