VOL. 127 | NO. 101 | Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Memphis Newsmakers
McFarland Named VP At Visible Music College
By Kate Simone
Christy McFarland has been named the vice president of business at Visible Music College. Previously the director of marketing, McFarland will now oversee VMC’s marketing/public relations, business and operational functions.
Hometown: Cabot, Ark.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Rhodes College and Master of Arts in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary
Work Experience: I’ve had a broad career, from legal marketing to an outreach minister at a church, to nonprofit communications and now a college administrator.
Family: Twin brother, younger brother, father, mother and stepfather
Favorite quotes: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” (Frederick Buechner) and “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” (Kahlil Gabran)
Last book read: “The Language of Flowers: A Novel” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Favorite music: Indie songwriters – Ray LaMontagne, Oren Lavie, Amos Lee, etc.
Favorite movies: “Batman Begins” and “Les Misérables”
Sports teams: Arkansas Razorbacks, St. Louis Cardinals and Memphis Grizzlies
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Reading and kickboxing at Memphis Judo & Jiu-Jitsu
What talent do you wish you had? Any type of creative talent, from visual (painting, photography or pottery) to music (guitar or djembe)
Who has had the greatest influence on you? My family has had – and continues to have – a great influence on my life. However, books and authors and the ideas they offer have had a great influence, as well. Especially an author named Jonathan Kozol, who I’ve never met, but who wrote a book called “Savage Inequalities” that changed the direction of my studies and subsequent volunteer and professional work.
What attracted you to Visible Music College? The mission and vision of the school, as well as the opportunity to work with an organization that honors and melds Memphis history (music and church) through education.
What are your goals as VMC’s vice president of business? Create and stabilize systems and structures for future growth and success.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? I always enjoy implementation of new projects and programs. Watching goals and strategy come to life and then having measurable change and results is exciting to see.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Visible Music College’s greatest resource is its people – the staff and students who make it work and hum (literally). I’m an administrator who gets to work among artists who make music in a city that loves music. It’s inspiring!
Jacqueline O’Bryant has been named the coordinator of diversity programs for the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. She will oversee the Tennessee Institute for Prelaw, the state’s only summer diversity access program for law school.
Andre Dyachenko has been selected as principal clarinetist for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Dyachenko, who was chosen from a field of 48 candidates, succeeds Dr. James Gholson, who is retiring after 39 years with the orchestra.
Whitney Hall has joined Allison Rodgers Photography as creative sales and marketing manager in the company’s sales and communications department. Hall previously worked in public relations for the Memphis Grizzlies.
David Kustoff has been elected to the BankTennessee board of directors. Kustoff was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee in 2006, where he served for two years before returning to private practice at Kustoff & Strickland PLLC.
Kelley Evans has joined Agape Child & Family Service as marketing and public relations coordinator. Evans previously held a leadership marketing position for a medical university.
Laurence Plummer Sr. has been recognized as the runner up for the top ranking of financial professionals for 2011 nationwide and awarded the Achieving Client Excellence award by John Hancock Financial Network. Plummer is president and chief executive officer of Plummer Financial Services.
Rhodes College alumnus Daniel Williford has been selected as a Fulbright Award grantee. Williford is a program assistant at the Memphis Leadership Foundation. Through the Fulbright program, he will teach English at a university in Morocco.
Mott Ford has been elected to the board of directors of The Synergy Foundation Inc. Ford is the board chairman of Commercial Bank and Trust Co., as well as a trustee of the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences and The Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
Andy Spears has joined Signature Advertising as a digital media project manager, and Thomas Shoffner has joined as print production manager.
Dr. James Beaty, a longtime physician at Campbell Clinic, has been recognized by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of America with the Award of Distinguished Achievement, the organization’s highest honor.