VOL. 128 | NO. 207 | Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Memphis Newsmakers
Fisher Joins Boy Scouts Chickasaw Council as CEO
By Kate Simone
Richard L. Fisher has joined the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America as chief executive officer. In his new role, Fisher will extend character development and leadership skills to youth who live in the Chickasaw Council territory, which includes the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, and Shelby and Crittenden counties.
Hometown: St. Louis
Experience: Graduate of the University of Kansas. An employee of the Boy Scouts of America for 25 years, serving in St. Louis; Denver; Topeka, Kan.; Toledo, Ohio; Chicago; and Detroit, Mich.
Family: Married to Marci Cannon Fisher, attorney. Two daughters, Elizabeth and Lauren, who live in St. Louis
Favorite quote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
Favorite movie: “Glory”
The sports team you root for: Kansas Jayhawks, basketball, Rock Chalk!
What’s playing on your stereo right now? Stevie Wonder
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Fishing, boating, swimming and muscle cars.
What talent do you wish you had? I really wish I could sing. My joyful noise is only appreciated by the Lord!
Who has had the greatest influence on you and why? My parents have had the greatest influence on my life. At an early age, they instilled the value of education, spiritual connection, family and service to others.
How long have you been involved in Scouting? I was involved as a youth member and volunteer for approximately six years. Sept. 23 marked my 25-year anniversary.
What are your goals in your new position? Extending the Scouting program in the 17 counties we serve. Establish sustainable collaborative relationships that benefit organizations who are interested in improving the quality of life for citizens. Successfully complete a $12 million capital campaign to enhance outdoor programs at Camps Currier and Kia Kima.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Raising respectful, productive children.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Working in the community to make a difference.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people, what would it be? Dream big; dream with your eyes wide open. Set goals and find the resources necessary to achieve success.
Craig Cowart, an attorney from the Memphis office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, has been elected vice chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section, which provides support and educational programming for labor and employment attorneys nationwide.
Diane M. Hampton has been named vice president for institutional advancement at Mid-South Community College. Hampton previously worked with Memphis in May International Festival for 14 years, most recently serving as executive vice president.
Skip Hannah has been named vice president of finance, chief financial officer, of Varco Pruden Buildings, a division of BlueScope Buildings North America Inc. Hannah has been with Varco Pruden 15 years, most recently serving as director of international sales.
George T. “Buck” Lewis of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC has received The University of Tennessee’s national Alumni Service Award, which recognizes individuals for extraordinary service to the university. Lewis received a bachelor’s degree, Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from UT.
Nicole Becker has joined MBI as a workspace consultant. She previously served as office administrator for Kiesewetter Wise Kaplan Prather PLC. Sarah Brock and Charlisse Rodgers have joined MBI as designers. Prior to joining MBI, Brock was an assistant manager at New York & Co., and Rodgers was an intern at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects.
Kenneth Haire has joined Millstone Medical Outsourcing’s Olive Branch office as director of quality systems. Haire brings more than two decades of experience at a major medical device manufacturing firm, most recently as upstream quality manager.
The Exchange Club Family Center has added five employees. Daphni Ishak, Steve Moorman and Rebecca Lesley-Paulk were added as part of the center’s absorption of the Court Appointed Special Advocates program; and Liesl Danley and Kimberly Smith have joined to work with programs that assist adult and child victims of abuse.
Dixon Hughes Goodman has promoted 10 associates and employees: Whitney Briggs and Stephen Slabuagh have been named tax senior managers; Kevin Morris, tax manager; Amanda Sullivan, Dealer Services Group manager; Phillip DeBardeleben and Brittney Whidden, Dealer Services Group senior associates; Curt Griffin, audit manager; and Geer Alexander, Joseph Iupe and Jason Smith, audit senior associates.
The Downtown Memphis Commission has awarded 2013 Downtown Vision Awards to these individuals and organizations for their contributions toward the advancement of Downtown Memphis: Cynthia and Mark Grawemeyer, individual achievement; First Tennessee Bank, organization achievement; Ken Steorts, visionary award; and Thomas “Silky” Sullivan, special merit award.