Andy Lessin was appointed International Paper senior vice president of internal audit. Lessin has served as vice president of finance and chief accounting officer since 2000. He was vice president and controller from 1995 to 2000.

Beth Almond, Kenneth W. Cummins and Leslie Shankman-Cohn received awards from the Tennessee American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association. Almond of Beth Almond Interiors won the silver award in the residential category for nook/closet/entry/foyer for the interior design of the Pickens residence in Germantown. She also received an honorable mention in the residential single space category for design in the same residence. Cummins of Kenneth W. Cummins Interior Design was presented the Kenneth C. Kimbrough Award, the highest award given to any member of the Tennessee chapter of ASID. The honoree must have been involved in a wide range of ASID activities and community service over the years, and be a former recipient of the Designer of the Year award. Shankman-Cohn of EO Designs received the community service award, given to an ASID member for demonstrated involvement in community affairs.

Several promotions and new hires were recently announced by Archer Malmo.

Jennifer Anton was appointed business development executive. Previously, she was direct marketing account executive. Anton earned a bachelors degree from Illinois State University. She is currently working on a masters degree in business administration from DePaul University. Meg Fuertges joined the American Residential Services team as account manager. She earned a bachelors degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. Lauren King was hired as a direct response copywriter. King earned a bachelors degree from Mississippi State University and a masters degree from the University of Alabama. Emily Carpenter was selected as account coordinator for the firms Valent USA team. Carpenter earned bachelor's and masters degrees from Mississippi State University. Peggy Rowland joined as a proofreader. She comes to the agency from Sossaman and Associates in Memphis, where she was traffic coordinator and proofreader. Rowland earned a bachelors degree from Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

Dave Chase was appointed Memphis Redbirds president and general manager. He succeeds Rita Sparks, who will continue in her role as president of the Memphis Redbirds Foundation. Chase was president of the National Pastime, a museum of Minor League Baseball slated to open adjacent to AutoZone Park. He joined the Redbirds in March 1999 to oversee the museums creation and will continue in that role. He worked for the Atlanta Braves as an assistant general manager of the AA team the Braves owned in Savannah, Ga., and general manager of the Atlanta-owned A team in Anderson, S.C.

Richard Almond, a Lakeland resident, was appointed by county Mayor A C Wharton as administrator of the administration and finance department for the Shelby County corrections division. The mayor appointed James E. Nelson manager of the Mayor's Assistance Center. Almond assumes his duties with more than 25 years of experience at the county sheriffs office. He is currently serving as deputy chief of budget and finance. He earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Mississippi. Almond assumes his new position Friday. The Mayor's Assistance Center, previously under the auspices of the archives department, will be placed back under the mayor's purview. Nelson earned a bachelor's degree from American Baptist College in Nashville, Tenn.

David Bennett was appointed executive director for the New Memphis Arena Public Building Authority. Bennett has served as acting executive director since April. He was Shelby County engineer until 2000, when he formed David Bennett Associates, a construction management consulting firm.