Liz Tipping has returned to Neal & Harwell, PLC to lead the firm’s construction law team. She has more than 20 years of experience handling civil, commercial and criminal matters, with a primary focus on construction law.

Tipping began her career at Neal & Harwell in 2003 after graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School. In 2018, she took an opportunity to launch a Nashville office of a regional firm focused on providing legal services to construction companies. She then built a solo practice dedicated to supporting construction companies and other businesses before returning to Neal & Harwell.

Tipping is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virgina, and is an active member of the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel, National Women in Roofing and Lawyers’ Association for Women.

Bass, Berry & Sims names new leaders

Bass, Berry & Sims has appointed new leaders in key positions, with Devin Lintzenich being named the firm’s first chief attorney talent officer and Lee Ashby Watts joining the firm as director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lintzenich oversees strategy and initiatives related to the attorney experience at the firm, working to advance attorney talent strategy across the firm and within practice groups, as well as coach individuals to reach their potential and to shape a career that works for them.

She previously served as the firm’s director of professional development and retention, as well as in marketing and business development capacities.

Before joining Bass, Berry & Sims, she held roles in public relations and education. She is a Certified Lawyer Coach, as issued by Volta Talent Strategies, and she earned the Senior Certified Professional Credential (SHRM-SCP), issued by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Lintzenich is also an alumna of Leadership Public Education’s inaugural class (2020) and the Nashville Emerging Leaders class of 2021. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University.

Watts works to advance DEI and to support the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented lawyers and professionals. She has 20-plus years of experience in the legal industry, helping law firms, attorneys and legal professionals develop and implement strategic plans.

She previously led a consulting firm where she coached, trained and consulted with hundreds of leaders. She also served in a variety of roles within law firms, including as the chief marketing officer at global law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP for nearly a decade.

Watts is a certified coach in business development, as well as a frequent facilitator and speaker where she addresses personal branding, public speaking, marketing, diversity and inclusion. She is a graduate of Ohio University and earned an MBA from Georgia State University.

TNECD announces leadership changes

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has announced key leadership changes on the department’s executive leadership team:

• Jessica L. Johnson will serve as assistant commissioner of administration and operations.

• Lyndi Berrones will serve as assistant commissioner of strategic initiatives, a new role within the department.

• Erin Hutchens will succeed Berrones as Northern Middle Tennessee regional director.

• Paul VanderMeer, TNECD assistant commissioner, has retired after a 46-year career in state government. VanderMeer began his career in public service in 1977 in the Office of Child Development and served in several other state agencies before joining TNECD in 2004.

Johnson joined TNECD in 2004 and most recently served as senior adviser for budget, finance and policy, where she was responsible for the strategic design and management of the department’s budget. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in English and gender studies and holds an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management. Johnson holds a Certificate of Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Certificate of Theology and Ministry from the Princeton Theology Seminary.

Berrones began her career with TNECD in 2017 as a statewide recruitment director. Projects she has landed have resulted in the creation of more than 30,000 direct jobs and $6 billion in capital investment in Tennessee across various industry sectors from headquarters to manufacturing and distribution. Some of her most recent projects include Oracle, LG Chem, Nashville Record Pressing and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Before joining TNECD, Berrones served as the economic development director for Miami-Dade County.

Berrones earned a master’s degree in international business from the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business and an executive certificate from Harvard Business School.

Hutchens joined TNECD in 2021 as a business development consultant for the Northern Middle Tennessee region. She previously served six years as the director of economic development for the Rutherford County Chamber. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University.

Sean Roach names Hooks shareholder

Charles Taylor Hooks became a shareholder in the Hendersonville accounting firm Sean Roach & Associates, PC.

Hooks has been with the firm for 11 years, and his areas of expertise include planning and executing tax return preparation services, including supervising team of professionals, ensuring tax compliance matters are handled efficiently and effectively.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds an MBA from Cumberland University and a degree in accounting from Western Kentucky University.

Williamson, Inc. makes leadership transition

After a decade of service, Elizabeth McCreary is stepping down as chief economic development officer at Williamson, Inc.’s Economic Development Office, where she has served since its inception.

McCreary previously spent a year building the Williamson, Inc. Economic Partnership, helping to develop a five-year strategic plan for Economic Development and raising the funds to help support that plan through a new public private partnership.

Nathan Zipper will be transitioning from his role as vice president of business development and investor relations to chief economic development officer effective Jan. 1.

During his almost five-year tenure, Zipper has overseen numerous successful relocation and expansion projects in Williamson County including Kaiser Aluminum, In-N-Out Burger and Educational Media Foundation (K-Love). Zipper was also recognized as one of the 2023 Top 50 Economic Developers in North America by Consultant Connect.

Wealth Strategies’ Allen honored by Raymond James

Wealth Strategies Partners founder Paul Allen has been named a member of the Raymond James Financial Services’ 2024 Chairman’s Council, a distinction given to those financial advisers who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to personal service and lead the largest revenue-producing branches. This marks the fifth year that he has received this recognition.

Allen founded Wealth Strategies Partners in 2014 to provide comprehensive, white glove financial planning services to retirees, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives and high-net-worth individuals. Along with his experienced team, Allen works with the practice’s clients to create customized, strategic, financial plans that are tailored to their unique needs.

Narang named GM of Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville has appointed Sunil Narang as general manager. Narang has been with Four Seasons for more than 27 years, leading properties for the renowned hotel brand across the world.

He previously served as general manager for Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai and is a graduate of the Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland.

Narang replaces outgoing Four Seasons Hotel Nashville General Manager Richard Poskanzer, who joined the hotel in 2021 to lead the pre-opening and opening of the hotel. Poskanzer oversaw Four Seasons Hotel Nashville being named one of the Best New Hotels in the World in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 It List.