VOL. 130 | NO. 225 | Wednesday, November 18, 2015
NEWSMAKERS
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Anna Cardona Joins Ledford Engineering
By Kate Simone
Anna Cardona has joined Ledford Engineering and Planning, an Arlington-based land planning and civil engineering firm, as designer and marketing director. Cardona will add interior design to Ledford’s service offerings, making the firm a one-stop shop for building and development needs.
Hometown: Memphis
Experience: I graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.A. in commercial interior design. I have eight years’ experience in commercial interior design, and worked with firms such as ANFA and ETFC. Noted projects I worked on include The Overton Park Levitt Shell, Sam’s Town Casino Twains Steak House, Bosco’s in Cool Springs, Homewood Suites, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Baptist College of Health Sciences student lounge, Dinkelspiel Rasmussen & Mink law office, Sports Junction and The New Daisy.
Favorite quote: “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. … You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” – Walt Disney
The sports team(s) you root for: The Tigers and the Grizz, of course!
Activities you enjoy outside of work: Time spent with my family, cooking, hiking, volunteering, girls night in on my back porch!
What talent do you wish you had? I wish I had Go-Go Gadget limbs. Maybe that’s not a talent, but there are a lot of times I wish I could extend my legs and walk faster than others around me or grab something in another room without getting up.
What attracted you to your company? When Kevin Ledford approached me I noticed immediately that this company has very strong ethical standards and a sense of family pervades the company culture.
What are your goals in your new position? My immediate goal is to build a very strong marketing department within the firm. I want Ledford to be recognized for the great work we do. Goals in the future include expanding the firm to become a full service in-house engineering, architecture and interior design firm. There is a genuine opportunity with Ledford Engineering and Planning to build something great. It has been a women-owned business, and in the future I plan to own part of the company.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Architecture and interior design shape the way people experience life. The fact that I get to help with something so important is very special.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people, what would it be? Listen. Listen to everyone. You don’t have to agree with what someone is saying, but there will definitely be something you can learn from everyone if you listen.
Blair B. Evans has been named chair of Baker Donelson’s Automotive Finance Team. Evans, who is of counsel in Baker Donelson’s Memphis office, practices in the areas of creditors’ rights, collections and business litigation.
Lizzy Hill has joined Counterpart Communication Design as a communication specialist. Hill previously served as communication specialist at the University of Mississippi-DeSoto.
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority board of commissioners has renamed the Airport World Class Tour in honor of longtime commissioner Jon K. Thompson. The program is now known as the Jon K. Thompson World Class Tour. Thompson, who served the airport as a board member from 1986 to 2013, helped create the World Class Tour program in 2000.
Sarah Sherlock has joined Obsidian Public Relations as an account assistant. Sherlock previously has worked with Susan Davis International, Edelman’s division in Washington, D.C., and the Washington Speakers Bureau.
The Hobson-Goodlow Education Foundation and the Memphis Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. have named the recipients of the 2015 African American Male Image Awards: Dr. Robert J. Smith, Service for Humanity; Michael Collins, Education; Robert Simpson, Business; Bishop Kevin B. Willis, Religion; Tony Nicholson, Community; Dr. Reginald W. Coopwood, Corporate; and Myron Mays, the Arts.
Archer Malmo recently has received three honors from national trade publications. The firm was selected as one of the 50 Best Places to Work in Advertising & Media by Advertising Age and one of the Top Places to Work in Public Relations by PR News. It also was named to the 2016 B2B Top Shops, a listing of the top 50 U.S. B2B marketing agencies selected by the editors of Chief Marketer.
The University of Memphis has been designated a VETS Campus by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in recognition of the school’s support of veteran students. Currently, the University of Memphis provides services to more than 600 students who have previously served or are currently serving in the armed forces, and their dependents.