MPD Names Public Information Officer

Larry Godwin, interim director of the Memphis Police Department, selected Sgt. Vince Higgins to serve as the departments new public information officer. Higgins, a 14-year veteran of MPD, was promoted to sergeant in January 2003 and has worked in the general assignment bureau for one and a half years.

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council elected the following members to its 2005 board of directors: Steve Guinn, 2005 director and 2006 vice president; and Jon Albright, Frank Dyer and Russ Westlake, two-year directors. Returning board members are: Joel Fulmer, Cherie Ganesh, Joe Steffner, Arnold Engelberg, Jim Rainer, Michael Mullis, Will Barden, Marcia Meloni, Keith Morris and Treat McDonald.

Kroger store #415 manager Kenneth Mister received the 2004 National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service. Along with the award, Mister received $1,500 to donate to the charity of his choice. He chose to donate the check and an additional $250 donation from the Kroger Delta Marketing Area to The Food Bank.

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. promoted Echelle Lane Rutschman to senior communications officer and system director of corporate communications. Rutschman previously served as director of corporate communications for Baptist, a position she held for four years. She received a bachelors degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a masters degree from the University of Missouri.

Steve Horne, director of field operations for the Memphis Redbirds, was named 2004 Sports Turf Manager of the Year by the Pacific Coast League. The award was granted in recognition of Hornes work in keeping the field at AutoZone Park in exemplary condition throughout the season.

The Association of Women in Communications announced the election of the following officers for 2004-2005: Alicia Barden, president; Lindsay Jones, programs chair; Dianne Calhoun, secretary; Maxine Kilford, treasurer; Gloria White, publicity chair; and Linda Smith, membership chair.

Grand Casino Tunica announced the appointment of Amy Belk-Hagar as marketing manager. Belk-Hagar joined Grand Casino from Fitzgeralds Casino, where she was marketing manager for seven years. She began her career at Sams Town Tunica as marketing coordinator and was later promoted to sales manager. She was also Sams Towns first Employee of the Year.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Inc. named Alex Brandon to the 2004 Konica Minolta Circle of Service Excellence Program. Brandon is vice president of service at NovaCopy.

Susan Stralka was named to the Leadership Germantown board of directors. Stralka is chief executive officer of Baptist Rehabilitation-Germantown. Leadership Germantown is a joint effort of the Germantown City Council and the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Moder joined Methodist Healthcares marketing and communications team as director of internal communications. Moder has 12 years of public relations experience.

Henrietta Davis was promoted to director of Baptist Clinical Research Center. Davis has been with Baptist for 19 years.

The Tennessee Bankers Association announced that the following Memphis-area bankers completed requirements for graduation from the Southeastern School of Commercial Lending: Marlene Brown (honors graduate), Charlie Williams (honors graduate), Roberta Headley, Steve Norris, Mary Martin, Shangela Price, Marlene Brown, Robert Johnston Jr., Cary Pierce, Cedric Fuller, Michelle Burnette and Mitch Higdon.