The International Association of Defense Counsel has announced that Mahsa Kashani Tippins, president and in-house counsel at DCo LLC in Nashville, has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.

“It is a privilege to be invited to join the International Association of Defense Counsel with distinguished and impressive defense counsel, insurance executives, and corporate counsel from different parts of the world,” Tippins says. “I look forward to continuing many of the intelligent and creative discussions I’ve already started with IADC members and participating in the organization’s highly educational meetings.”

For DCo (formerly known as Dana Companies LLC), Tippins is responsible for leading business initiatives that positively impact growth, as well as managing litigation and decreasing risk. DCo is a legacy liability runoff company that manages the legacy asbestos and environmental liabilities of the former Dana Corporation.

In addition, Tippins has served since 2020 as co-vice chair of the DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar.

Previously, Tippins was a partner in the Northern California office of DeHay & Elliston LLP, defending clients in toxic tort, product liability and commercial litigation since 2006. She has served as national coordinating counsel for a product manufacturer and has tried cases successfully to verdict in state and federal courts in different parts of the country.

Tippins earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley.

Russell takes Baker Barrios regional role

Marilyn Russell, associate principal with Baker Barrios Architects, was recently appointed Regional Director of Corporate & Landlord Services.

“Firms must create a vibrant office environment as they return to their physical office space. Marilyn designs and enhances workspaces that help motivate team members by creating collaborative spaces with their well-being at the forefront of that design,” says Mike Frohnappel, managing principal-Nashville and partner of the national architect firm. “Marilyn is an asset for her clients and their needs. We are proud to have her on board with Baker Barrios.”

Russell is a results-oriented, highly experienced architectural interior designer with a wide range of industry expertise including knowledge of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) standards, building codes and regulations, design improvement techniques and new interior construction methods.

Under her leadership and with her team’s diverse capabilities, the Corporate Landlord Services studio is known for creating innovative and functional interior designs that enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of commercial spaces.

She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from International Academy of Design and attended American Intercontinental University, London.

Clark named new Fisk president

Fisk University has appointed Dr. Agenia Walker Clark as its next president, effective Nov. 6.

Clark will be the University’s third female head and the 18th president of the 158-year-old-university, one of the nation’s highest-ranking Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Clark replaces interim president Frank Sims, a member of the Fisk’s board of trustees, who has served in that position since 2021.

Clark most recently served as CEO for the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, where during her 19-year tenure, she increased the agency’s operational efficiencies, increased its reserves, built new facilities, and transformed the agency into one of the highest performing of the 111 councils in the Girl Scout network.

“Dr. Clark’s lifelong dedication to improving the lives of young people, along with her unique combination of fundraising and brand-building skills, are exactly what Fisk needs today,” says Juliette Pryor, chair of the Fisk board of trustees. “I know that Dr. Clark’s bold ideas will positively impact our campus community today while assuring a fast-growing trajectory for the future.”

Before the Girl Scouts, Dr. Clark was the vice president of Human Resources for the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, Senior Director of Human Resources at Vanderbilt University and directed human resources for Canadian telecommunications provider Nortel Networks, where she also served as a manager of government relations.

Clark was named “Nashvillian of the Year” in 2021 and was among “Nashville’s 100 Most Powerful People,” 2015–2020, by the Nashville Business Journal.

An inductee into the Academy for Women of Achievement, she is also a Nashville Post Person-In-Charge (2014–2021). She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), a member of the 2016 Class of Leadership Tennessee, and 1996 Class of Leadership Nashville.

Clark earned a B.S. and MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her doctorate in leadership from Vanderbilt University.

REED PR announces promotion, new hire

REED Public Relations, a full-service public relations and marketing agency, has announced a new hire and a promotion.

Louise Paterson has been promoted to senior account coordinator for REED, and Darbi Dombrowski recently joined the team as an account manager.

Dombrowski is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and has honed her public relations skills through agency work, most recently at FINN Partners. She manages account relationships and media strategy as an account manager at REED.

Paterson joined REED as an intern in Jan. 2022 after graduating from the University of South Carolina. Through her impressive client work in earned media, influencer and social media relations as an account coordinator, Paterson was promoted to senior account coordinator.

TDA’s Bond earns govt. service award

Gov. Bill Lee has recognized Dan Bond of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. The biannual award recognizes outstanding state employees who are at the forefront of improving the way Tennessee state government delivers services.

Bond is the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program Field Verification Coordinator in the Business Development Division.

“Dan’s expertise coupled with his down-to-earth approach make him an asset to our team,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. says. “He is responsible for verifying grant reimbursements with TAEP and he maintains the integrity of that program by ensuring the rules and procedures are followed. Dan cares about the farmers and foresters who benefit from cost share funds and it shows.”

TAEP was established in 2005 to provide cost share dollars to agricultural producers for the purpose of making long-term investments in Tennessee farms and communities. To date, TAEP has invested more than $246 million in 80,860 producer projects.

Bond earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. After graduation, he returned to his family farm to work with Bond Brothers Dairy until he joined the staff at TDA in 2005.

Bond and his family have been beef cattle producers for 25 years, and the fourth generation to live on the family farm in Williamson County. He resides with his wife, Phyllis, and he enjoys spending time with his daughter, stepson and five grandchildren.

PRSA Parthenon Award winners named

The Public Relations Society of America Nashville chapter honored the exceptional work of public relations and communications professionals at the 37th annual Parthenon Awards Aug. 29.

Winners were announced during a ceremony at GEODIS Park, emceed by Wes Boling, chapter member and former sports reporter.

More than 100 awards were presented to 18 area agencies and businesses. The night’s highest honor for Best of Show went to Stones River Group for their Community Relations work, “Generating Support for a Public Charter’s Approval.”

Each year, PRSA Nashville Chapter recognizes individuals with highest honors in the communications field with the Apollo Award, Hercules Award and Olympus Award.

This year’s Apollo Award was presented to Dr. Phil Wenk, CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. After practicing dentistry for two decades, Dr. Wenk embarked on a new career as the CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee, a not-for-profit dental benefits provider dedicated to customer satisfaction and community service.

The Hercules Award was awarded to Andrea Lindsley, partner at FINN Partners. She was recognized for her contributions to PRSA, the profession and the community showcasing high quality work, creativity and effectiveness.

Additionally, the Nashville chapter presented the Olympus Award, which is given to the immediate past president of PRSA Nashville, recognizing the immense dedication and service needed to guide the strategic direction of the chapter. Juanita Traughber, APR, director of marketing and communications at University School of Nashville was the chapter’s president in 2022 and was honored for her excellent job leading the organization through a number of challenges transitioning out of the pandemic.

To read the full list of winners, visit prsanashville.com/awards.