VOL. 127 | NO. 144 | Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Memphis Newsmakers
Magna Bank Taps Stewart To Lead SBA Division
By Kate Simone
Tom Stewart has been named senior vice president and manager of the small business administration division at Magna Bank. Since joining Magna in March, Stewart has led the bank in obtaining national preferred lending provider status. In his new role, Stewart will oversee all business development activities for the Mid-South along with portfolio management and loan servicing.
Hometown: Brecksville, Ohio
Education and work experience: I have over 20 years of commercial banking experience and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University.
Favorite quote: “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
Favorite movie: “Patton”
The sports team(s) you root for: Volunteers, Predators
What’s playing on your stereo right now? K-Love
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Golf
What talent do you wish you had? To be a better golfer.
Who has had the greatest influence on you? Brian T.
What attracted you to Magna Bank? Having the opportunity to make Magna Bank the SBA lender of choice for the Mid-South.
What are your goals in your new role? Increase awareness of the fantastic features and benefits of SBA to existing and future business owners.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Raising a child.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Being able to help entrepreneurs open or expand a business.
What advice would you give young people? First, embrace the fact that nobody owes you anything. Second, realize that life is unfair. Third, truly believe that a positive attitude is the contentment to everything that will carry you farther in life. For those of you that desire to go into business for yourself or have the opportunity to lead a business or a division: First, listen to your customer. Second, outwork your competition with a desire to create a great culture as a legacy for your employees and not a legacy for yourself.
Phil Johnson has joined the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce as director of economic development. Johnson previously served as vice president of economic development at the Greater Memphis Chamber and as director of the Tennessee International Trade Center.
Dennis Fisher has joined Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis as director of human resources. Fisher, who will be responsible for HR activities for Baptist Memphis’ 2,900 employees, previously served as director of human resources at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford.
Keith Greenwald has been elected The Arc Tennessee’s West Tennessee regional representative for 2012-2013. The Arc is an advocacy organization that serves and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Kim Weaver has been named first vice president of private banking at Magna Bank. Weaver, who has more than 25 years of experience in banking, will primarily work with clients in the medical and professional industries.
B. Brandon Bryant has joined FirstCapital Bank as vice president of commercial lending. Bryant, who is in FirstCapital’s Laurelwood office, has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry.
Renee S. Frazier has been selected as a member of the Regional Health Equity Council – Region IV of the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities. Frazier has served as CEO of Healthy Memphis Common Table since 2009.
Two Memphis companies have been named to Black Enterprise magazine’s BE 100s Report, which ranks the nation’s top-grossing black-owned businesses. Lexus of Memphis was ranked No. 21 in the auto dealers category, and Tri-State Bank of Memphis was ranked No. 14 in the financial services companies category.
James R. Mulroy, managing partner in the Memphis office of Jackson Lewis LLP, has been recognized in the 2012 Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
WKNO Public Broadcasting has elected its 2012-2013 board officers. They are Dr. Craig Esrael, chairman; Calvin Anderson, vice-chairman; Rick Schultz, secretary; and Michael LaBonia, treasurer. In addition, Jon Crisp and Glen Brandow have been named new board members.
Kelley & Associates Advertising Inc. won a bronze Summit Creative Award in the sales video category for Helena Chemical Co.’s 2012 corporate video.
Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association has elected board officers and new members. MIFA officers for fiscal year 2013 are: Rev. Steve Montgomery, chair; Amy Poag, vice chair; Emily Woodside, secretary; and Ward Meyer, treasurer. New board members are Edward Dobbs, Milton Lovell and Dr. Bianca Sweeten.
Jason Tucker and Daniel Wright have joined Renaissance Group Architects & Engineers as architectural interns. Tucker and Wright are based in the firm’s Lakeland offices.