Pauletta McCollum

Melanie Samisch

Douglas F. Halijan

Christie Petrone

The Criminal Law Section of the Memphis Bar Association recently presented Criminal Court Judge Mark Ward its judge of the year award. Ward presides over Division 9 of Shelby County's 30th Judicial District. Ward was appointed to the bench in 2004. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant public defender and in private practice. Ward's bachelor's degree in law enforcement and his law degree are both from the University of Memphis.

Christie Petrone has joined Memphis Regional Planned Parenthood as manager of community affairs. She received a master's degree in criminal justice from the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Memphis in December. In the newly created position, Petrone will be responsible for directing MRPP's advocacy efforts.

Gov. Phil Bredesen announced the following local
appointments to the state's boards and commissions: Margaret E. Pritchard, Conservation Commission, and John E. Harkins, Tennessee Historical Commission. Pritchard previously worked as an instructor for the Shelby County Election Commission from 1987 to 1994 and as a teacher with the Memphis City Schools. Harkins works as a history teacher and department chair at Memphis University School.

The Memphis Bar Foundation has elected the following officers for 2006: Steve Shields, president; Prince Chambliss, vice-president; Sheila Jordan Cunningham, secretary; and Lee Chase, treasurer. The following people were elected as new board members: Henry Doggrell, Greg Duckett, Charlotte Knight Griffin, Gina Higgins, Janet Richards, Robert Spence and Jim Strickland.

The Memphis Community Legal Center has honored Douglas F. Halijan with its 2005 Elmore Holmes award. Halijan is a partner at Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC. The Community Legal Center provides pro bono legal services in civil matters, as well as educational programs and clinics for people in Shelby County who can't afford to hire legal counsel.

Melanie Samisch recently joined 1st Trust Bank's Quail Hollow Branch as vice president and branch manager.

Kenneth May has been named president and chief executive officer of FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Services. He previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. May joined FedEx in 1982 and before that served as senior vice president of U.S. domestic ground operations and senior vice president of Air, Ground and Freight Services at FedEx Express. Brian D. Philips, vice president of U.S. marketing for FedEx, will succeed May as chief operating officer at FedEx Kinko's. Philips is a 12-year veteran of FedEx.

The Criminal Law Section of the Memphis Bar Association recently presented Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft its Outstanding Service Award. Craft presides over District 8 Criminal Court in Shelby County's 30th Judicial District. Craft was appointed to the bench in 1994. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis and a law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named Pauletta McCollum director of sales for the West Tennessee region. McCollum previously oversaw sales for the Chattanooga market. She is a four-time winner of BlueCross' internal President's Cup award.