Realtracs, the technology company providing the largest multiple listing service in Tennessee, has appointed Greg Robertson, Ohan Antebian and Janet Miller to its advisory board.

Robertson is a real estate and technology expert who founded his first real estate software company in 1992. More recently, he cofounded W+R Studios, the creators of Cloud CMA. W+R Studios was sold to Lone Wolf in late 2020, and Robertson left it in 2023. Greg is an author and podcast host who now focuses on investing and consulting.

Antebian is the principal for Wisdom Load Consulting, where he applies his operational experience and comprehensive knowledge of the residential real estate industry. He has been involved in the industry since 2001.

Miller has been a key player in Nashville real estate for more than 30 years and serves as the CEO and market leader for Colliers Nashville.

Pressnell to retire after 28 years at THEC

Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr., president of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, is retiring after 28 years representing Tennessee’s 34 private colleges and universities on a state and federal level.

Pressnell, a first-generation college student and Pell Grant recipient, has dedicated his career to expanding access to higher education. His leadership played a key role in securing more than $1.5 billion in student aid to ensure Tennessee students have the financial support they need to attend the college that best fits their academic and social needs.

In August of 2013, Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Pressnell as a commissioner representing the state’s interests on the Education Commission of the States. In 2014, he was appointed by four U.S. Senators to serve on a committee to reduce the federal regulatory burden on higher education in the United States.

Pressnell chairs the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), providing recommendations on accrediting agencies monitoring the academic quality of postsecondary institutions and educational programs.

TICUA’s board of directors is planning to welcome Pressnell’s successor.

Nashville Zoo welcomes new board members

Nashville Zoo has added David D. Baier, Katie Crumbo and Vandana Abramson as board members. Deana Ivey, president and CEO for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, will be an ex-officio member for 2024.

Baier spent his early career as a trial attorney is Chicago. After five years, He then joined General Dynamics Corporation and spent the rest of his professional career at this company, retiring as a corporate vice president and a principal officer.

He holds a degree in accounting and finance from Marquette University and graduated from the law school at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Crumbo and her husband, Kevin, made Nashville their home nearly 30 years ago. After her recent re-retirement from Vanderbilt as a nurse practitioner in infectious diseases, she has returned to volunteering and serves on several boards.

Abramson, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, is professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and leads the Breast Cancer Research Program at Vanderbilt.

She earned her undergraduate degree in English and molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She subsequently completed a residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also earned a master’s degree in Translational Research.

Nashville Zoo’s board also includes chairman Ed Goodrich, secretary Terry Bruggeman, treasurer Ryan Flury, Lee Beaman, Clara Belden, Mike Bracken, Meg Crofton, Adam Dretler, Laurie Eskind, Tony Giarratana, Alice Goldberg, Jimmy Granbery, Allie Hall, Scott Hamilton, Diane Holloway, Patrick Johnson, Rhonda Scott Kinslow, Karen Moore, Sandra Morgan, Trish Munro, Wilson Patton, Michael Peacock, Tim Schoettle, Laurie Seabury, Alexandra Sollberger, Butch Spyridon, John Weisenseel and Larry Wieck.

FINN Partners promotes West

Marketing and communications firm FINN Partners has named longtime employee Nate West, a leader in its Southeast health group, partner.

West spent the first eight years of his career at FINN, beginning as an account coordinator in 2008 and reaching the position of director of client services in 2015. In 2017, West became director of communications for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, where he managed communications strategy to support fundraising, government relations and public engagement for five years.

West rejoined FINN Partners in 2021 as a vice president in the health practice and has focused on providing strategic communications for health companies, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tivity Health and Interwell Health.

West is a graduate of Murray State University and holds a degree in public relations and advertising.

Tri Star Energy names Perry COO

Nashville-based Tri Star Energy, parent company of White Bison Coffee and convenience store brands Twice Daily, Sudden Service, Southern Traders, Little General and Maverick Quick Shop, has selected Steve Perry as its new chief operating officer.

Perry joined the Tri Star Energy team in 2022 after 20-plus years of operations leadership experience within the convenience store industry. He most recently served as the company’s vice president of wholesale operations, managing the company-owned and dealer-operated locations, the contracted and uncontracted independent convenience stores, the customer service department, the commercial fueling team and new business growth and acquisitions.

Wold Architects & Engineers announces 3 promotions

Wold Architects & Engineers has promoted Heather Yaple, AIA, MBA, LEED GREEN, to its associates leadership team.

In her five years at Wold, Yaple has worked on several health care design projects in her role as project manager. She has years of industry experience, a degree in architectural technology from Albert State College and an MBA.

Franklin Police Deptartment hires public info manager

Max Winitz has joined the Franklin Police Department as its public information manager. Winitz is the first public information manager who is not a sworn officer in the department.

Winitz comes to the department after spending more than two years as the media relations coordinator for Middle Tennessee’s local blood supplier, Blood Assurance. He will be lead the department’s community outreach efforts and serve as media liaison.

Before Blood Assurance, Winitz spent nearly 13 years as a broadcast news anchor and reporter for several network affiliates across the country. Winitz also served as the communications, media and public relations manager for the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida.

He earned a degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University.

Lipscomb president honored with Luminary Award

The Joseph School, a nonprofit organization located in Cabaret, Haiti, and founded by former Tennessee state Sen. Jim Bryson, has recognized Lipscomb University president Dr. Candice McQueen with the inaugural Luminary Award, which honors an individual who exemplifies The Joseph School principles of service, education and empowerment through leadership.

McQueen has served as president of Lipscomb University since September 2021. In her 25-year career, she has served as CEO of the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching, dean of Lipscomb University’s College of Education and Tennessee Commissioner of Education.

The Joseph School’s mission is to improve the lives and futures of Haitian children through education and empowerment. Founded in 2015, its mission is to solve the issue of accessibility and to foster the next generation of Haiti’s leaders. More than 200,000 Haitian children are not in school, 43% are unenrolled in primary school and 80% never attend secondary school. The Joseph School endeavors to reduce these statistics and extends the opportunity to learn in an environment that empowers students to dream, compels them to love, and calls them to lead.