businessbriefs
• Professional photographer Colby McLemore, owner of Colby’s Photos & Videos in Knoxville, recently was elected as executive secretary to the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association board of directors for the 2024 term.
“Colby’s dedication to TNPPA and his unwavering commitment to advancing the photography industry in Tennessee make him an exemplary addition to the board,” a press release stated.
• East Tennessee Children’s Hospital recently welcomed its new medical officer, Dr. Suzanne Rybczynski.
She brings nearly 30 years of experience in pediatric healthcare, serving as attending physician and pediatric hospitalist at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Hospital.
• Richard W. Rackley of Knoxville recently was named the new principal broker of Weichert, Realtors - Advantage Plus in South Knoxville, where he’s on a mission to assist both new and existing realtors.
Rackley’s goal is to welcome newcomers and support fellow real estate agents as they seek out a brokerage to call home.
He brings a background in education with experience in guiding students toward meaningful careers and is now being channeled to help new and existing real estate agents find success.
• Meridian Waste Tennessee, LLC, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, recently announced the acquisition of Patterson TnWaste Hauling to densify and expand the company’s footprint throughout the Greater Knoxville region and fortify its disposals volumes received at its two construction and demolition landfills in the marketplace, including Poplar View Landfill and Riverside Landfill. The closing was effective Sunday, Oct. 1.
• Slyman Auction, serving Knoxville and the surrounding area for more than 50 years, is now a second-generation company as Laura Slyman, daughter of Slyman Auction founder James “Jim” Slyman, recently took over the firm, following her father’s passing in May.
Jim Slyman founded Slyman Real Estate & Auction in 1971. Laura grew up beside her father in the real estate and auction industry. She is a licensed Realtor and one of Tennessee’s few female auctioneers. Before becoming owner of Slyman Auction, she served as the company’s marketing director and has been president of Slyman Real Estate since 2007.
• Knoxville Bar Association recently presented its inaugural “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award” to the law firm of Lewis Thomason at the KBA’s annual Bench & Bar Celebration Wednesday, Sept. 6.
The award honors legal organizations demonstrating a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal profession. Lewis Thomason was recognized as the 2023 Strategic Inclusion Leader for its demonstrable commitment and actions to advance these values.
• The Bike Team at Knoxville Area Rescue Mission stores recently celebrated its 5,000th repaired bike at the KARM Store near Farragut. The Bike Team started in the summer of 2017. It now has eight mechanics who work on donated bikes. The ministry learns about this need through churches or other KARM ministry partners.
• Gary Sizemore in Sevierville and Cherie Coleman in Pineville, Kentucky, two McDonald’s Restaurant managers from the surrounding Knoxville area, have won a Ray Kroc Award, an accolade recognizing the top-performing McDonald’s Restaurant managers globally.
