Boston-Based Cabot Buys Crowfarn Warehouse

Cabot III-TN1M01 LLC, an affiliate of Boston-based Cabot Properties Inc., has bought a warehouse on two parcels at 3924 Crowfarn Drive from MM Industrial Memphis LLC for $2.2 million.

No financing documents were filed with the Shelby County Register of Deeds when the sale deed was filed.

The parcels, which total about 11 acres, are on the north side of Crowfarn Drive west of Delp Street in Airport Industrial Park. The property contains a 130,498-square-foot warehouse built in 1975.

The site is one of four tracts MM Industrial Memphis LLC bought in 2005 for $23.1 million.

The Shelby County Assessor of Property’s 2010 appraisal was $2.6 million.

Source: The Daily News Online & Chandler Reports

– Kate Simone

Huntzicker Retires from County Finance

Shelby County Finance and Administration Director Jim Huntzicker is retiring effective April 22.

Huntzicker submitted his retirement notice earlier this month with little fanfare.

Word of the retirement came Monday as Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell nominated Mike Swift, currently the finance administrator under Huntzicker, to be the new finance and administration director.

The Shelby County Commission will vote on the appointment in two weeks.

As he took office in September, Luttrell said he was able to talk a reluctant Huntzicker into remaining on during his administration.

Huntzicker returned from a previous stint in Shelby County government during the two terms of then-Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. When county chief administrative officer John Fowlkes was appointed Criminal Court judge, Huntzicker doubled as both finance director and CAO.

– Bill Dries

Dan Cornell Joins Morgan Keegan Group

Dan Cornell has joined Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. as a managing director of the firm’s security and defense investment banking group.

Cornell, formerly with Jefferies & Co., will help initiate the firm’s coverage of the aerospace and government services sectors.

Cornell’s arrival at Morgan Keegan coincides with an announcement by Morgan Keegan parent Regions Financial Corp. of the formation of a technology and defense banking group dedicated to serving the financial needs of companies in those sectors. David Sozio, a 25-year veteran in the technology and defense sectors, was named managing director of Regions’ technology and defense banking group.

That group will focus on providing Regions and Morgan Keegan clients with debt capital solutions to support growth and merger and acquisition activities.

– Andy Meek

Penn Marc Internal Medicine Joins Methodist Le Bonheur

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has acquired Penn Marc Internal Medicine, a three-physician practice at 6401 Poplar Ave.

Doctors Paul Katz, Avron Slutsky and Carol Mitchell as well as nine employees will remain on board.

Methodist said the clinic will retain its name, and patients and referring physicians can expect a seamless transition.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with the physicians of Penn Marc,” said Gary Shorb, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “They have served the community in their current location for over 10 years and are very respected by their patients and colleagues.”

Other physician practices now part of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare include Foundation Medical Group; Lakeland Family Medicine; McGee General Surgery Clinic; Sutherland Cardiology Clinic; and The CardioVascular Center.

– Aisling Maki

Documentary Exposes ‘Silent Epidemic’ in Schools

“Race to Nowhere” will be screened at St. George’s Independent School Germantown campus April 12 at 6:30 p.m.

This documentary aims to unveil what it calls a “silent epidemic” in schools, in which it states cheating has become normal, students are disengaged, stress-related illnesses and depression are more common and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Vicki Abeles, a first-time filmmaker, was inspired to make “Race to Nowhere” after her 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a stress-related illness.

“As a mother, I experienced the stress firsthand and realized that no one was talking about it,” Abeles said in a statement.

“I saw kids who were anxious, depressed, physically ill, checking out, abusing drugs and, worst case, attempting suicide.

– Allison Buckley

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous Officially Goes ‘Green’

Project Green Fork has officially certified Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous as environmentally sustainable.

To be certified sustainable by Project Green Fork, the restaurant must incorporate the following steps into their daily operations: have sustainable products in place, set up a recycling program, compost kitchen waste, replace toxic cleaners with non-toxic cleaners, complete a Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division audit, take necessary steps to reduce energy and water consumption, and demonstrate steps to prevent pollution.

The Downtown Memphis landmark looked into recycling about two years ago.

“Because of the volume of customers we serve, we go through endless glass bottles, plastic containers and paper products, and it was tough finding an outlet capable of processing that amount of materials,” John Vergos, one of the Rendezvous’ owners, said in a statement. “The biggest change was the mindset with our staff and all of us, getting in a ‘green’ mindset.”

Among other changes, the restaurant no longer uses Styrofoam and has begun using compostable cutlery, actually made of potatoes rather than plastic.

The Rendezvous restaurant also uses almost exclusively green cleaners and has begun composting all compostable food waste.

“The Vergos family and the Rendezvous are a strong part of Memphis tradition,” said executive director of Project Green Fork Margot McNeeley. “Having been around for more than 63 years, the Rendezvous is here to stay and we are thrilled to help them make the future more green.”

– Sarah Baker

U of M Renames School of Audiology

What has been called the University of Memphis School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in the past has been renamed the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

“The new name is a much more accurate indicator of our academic tradition,” said dean Maurice Mendel. “The discipline of communication sciences and disorders provides graduate education leading to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. The science bases of all three of the degrees that we award … are more accurately reflected in the new name.”

The program offers a master of arts program in speech-language pathology, a doctorate. in communication sciences and disorders and a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree.

Founded in 1967, the graduate program offers about 90 students the opportunity to work with 24 faculty mentors as well as chances to participate in the study abroad program.

More information can be found at www.memphis.edu/csd.

– Allison Buckley

Rhodes No.15 in Peace Corps Rankings

Rhodes College ranks 15th among 250 colleges and universities in the Southeast region for producing Peace Corps volunteers.

Currently 14 Rhodes alumni are serving oversees and 91 alumni have served in the Peace Corps.

The southeast region includes Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Established in 1961, the Peace Corps helps students jumpstart their careers and provides graduates opportunities to serve in 77 countries. Service is a 27-month commitment.

– Taylor Shoptaw