Photo: Lance Murphey

Earl Keister has joined Thompson & Co. as creative director.

Hometown: Knoxville

Education: University of Tennessee, Portfolio Center

Work Experience: Fifteen years in the advertising field. I’m like Johnny Cash: I’ve been everywhere.

Family: Wife, Lisa; son, James; and four dogs, Ginger, Hank, Maggie and Lucy

Favorite quote: “Be the ball,” from “Caddyshack”

Last book read: “Last Night in Twisted River,” John Irving

Favorite music: Lloyd Cole, Jerry Garcia Band, Social Distortion and anything that will embarrass my son.

Favorite movie: “Idiocracy”

Sports team: The Tennessee Vols and the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Activities you enjoy outside of work: Running, hiking, water skiing, being on the lake, going to my son’s ball games and, sometimes, golf.

Why did you pursue a career in advertising? Advertising was something I felt like I could do and also have fun doing it.

What drew you to Thompson & Co.? It was a chance to work at a great agency that has values and a culture that mirror the way I think and like to work. Plus, it has a killer fantasy football league.

What does your job as creative director entail? I oversee the day-to-day operations of the creative department, which includes contributing to the conception of overall marketing strategies and managing the development of creative campaigns.

What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? With my profession, I’ve met some fascinating people I otherwise would not have had the chance to meet. I’ve gotten to go to interesting places I might otherwise not have had the opportunity to go to. I consider that to be my greatest accomplishment – having the opportunity to meet wonderful people and visit remarkable places.

What do you most enjoy about your work? Being surrounded by fun, creative people. There is always something new to learn.

Jim Summers and Robert Green of Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham PLLC have been selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of “Best Lawyers in America.” Summers and Green practice in the areas of construction litigation and personal injury litigation, respectively.

Stefanie Dennison has joined the Germantown Athletic Club as marketing and membership sales coordinator. Dennison previously served as a membership representative at Saint Francis Medical Center’s medically integrated fitness center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Chris Triplett has been certified as a project management professional by the Project Management Institute after completing the PMP program and examination. Triplett is project manager and civil engineer in the Memphis office of Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon Inc.

Holiday Inn University of Memphis has earned the InterContinental Hotels Group Torchbearer Award for the seventh consecutive year. The award recognizes the hotel as one of the best Holiday Inn hotels in the chain.

Mallory Walters has been promoted to branch manager at Bank of Bartlett Cordova. Michael “Nick” Holmes has been promoted to a business banker position at Bank of Bartlett. Audra Shepherd has joined Bank of Bartlett as a business banker.

The MidSouth Association of Health Underwriters has inducted new board members for 2010-2011. They are Jonathan Frisch, president/chair; Keith James, president-elect; Michael Bruno, treasurer; Leigh Myers, secretary; Melanie Sims, membership chair; Michele Myers, Health Underwriters Political Action Committee chair; Philip Johnson, legislation chair; Tom Merriam, programs chair; Angie Pettinger, communications chair; James Dettman, website chair; Paul Barcroft and Dennis Marin, co-golf tournament chairs; Kris Amen, media relations chair; and Chris Parish, silent auction chair.

The Memphis office of Ogletree Deakins has earned a Tier 1 ranking in employment law and labor law in the U.S. News Media Group’s list of 2010 Best Law Firms.