McGlinchey Stafford has added Will Wojcik as a member and Cole Hodge as associate in its Nashville office. Both will serve the firm’s litigation practice.
Wojcik’s practice spans litigation in the context of construction defect, real estate, contract and zoning disputes, as well as advice and counsel on corporate, transactional, governance and tax matters. He most recently practiced with Kay Griffin, PLLC.
Wojcik earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School. He is pursuing an LL.M. in tax from New York University.
Cole joins the financial services litigation team, representing banks, loan servicers, mortgagees, and auto and manufactured housing lenders, and others in various disputes in state and federal courts. With a broader background in civil litigation, he also assists clients with contract, fraud, and shareholder disputes and in arbitrations and administrative proceedings.
A native of Nashville, Cole earned his J.D. from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 2021 and is admitted to practice in Tennessee.
Gibson Brands names Gueikian permanent CEO
Cesar Gueikian has been named president and CEO of Gibson Brands by the company’s board.
Gueikian joined Gibson in 2018, merging his business background with his lifelong passion for music and guitars. He has since instituted a successful new strategy centered around instruments and sound, relaunching the portfolio of brands, shaping a new portfolio architecture, creating Gibson Media, launching Gibson TV and securing partnerships with Gibson artists to bring their music to the world? and keep Gibson culturally engaged and connected to music?.
An accomplished musician, guitarist and songwriter, Gueikian has performed with and recorded alongside artists spanning an eclectic range of music genres, such as Mana, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo (Metallica), Rex Brown (Pantera), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Snake Sabo (Skid Row), Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) and Fito Paez.
He earned a business degree from Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an MBA from The University of Chicago focused on analytic finance and economics.
Meharry Medical College picks sr. vice president
Juan McGruder, Ph.D., has joined the Meharry Medical College as senior vice president of institutional advancement. McGruder will be responsible for driving development initiatives for the school, including expanding strategic partnerships to advance equity in health care and improve care for the underserved.
With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, program development and management, McGruder arrives at Meharry from Oglethorpe University, where he drove business development as vice president of advancement. As senior vice president of institutional advancement, he will expand private and public investment and partnerships with Meharry that will expand the College’s work in improving equity and access for communities locally, nationally and globally.
Before Oglethorpe, McGruder served as the senior vice president and chief development officer for Junior Achievement of Georgia, where he created and led statewide private sector fundraising and resource development with his staff. He also worked at Morehouse School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology in institutional advancement, leading teams to successfully exceed fundraising objectives.
McGruder earned a Ph.D. in education and human development from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University and a master’s degree in counseling and human development and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clark Atlanta University.
Patterson joins Affinity Technology Partners
Teresa Patterson has joined Affinity Technology Partners as a cybersecurity analyst and member of centralized services, announced Sean Wright, founder and president of the managed IT firm.
Patterson will be responsible for maintaining the security and monitoring platforms used to protect the firm’s clients. She has more than 30 years of experience in the information technology field and was previously service delivery manager with Concept Technology and with C Spire as service delivery manager for nearly 13 years.
A native of Chapel Hill, Patterson is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a degree in management information systems.
CLA announces Nashville promotions
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the eighth-largest accounting firm in the United States, has promoted four in Nashville. They include:
• Chris Conway, senior service desk analyst, Enterprise Business Solutions
• Keesha Whitfield, diversity recruiting director, Enterprise Business Solutions
• Andrew Pendleton, senior, Real Estate
• Cole Klippenstein, business operations assistant controller, Real Estate
“Our clients have come to expect the best from the CLA family. Today we are advancing and celebrating the commitment these individuals have shown to helping our clients grow their businesses and build success,” said Jen Leary, CEO of CLA. “I am grateful for their hard work and to have them as valued members of the CLA family.”
CLA believes in inspired careers and advancing from within. With more than 9,000 employees representing thousands of clients, CLA has created mentorship programs and leadership connections to provide career paths for all employees. CLA takes pride in helping employees move into new roles within the company to challenge each other and to learn new skills. This has enabled the firm to continue to expand into new markets and verticals, providing clients with a wealth of resources in accounting, professional services, wealth advisory, audit and much more.
MNAA shifts roles for 5 in organization
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has announced changes within its organizational structure to prepare for continued growth and better serve the community and passengers. MNAA bolsters its leadership team with the following key appointments:
Lisa Lankford will serve as chief strategy officer and executive vice president. Lankford will be responsible for developing the corporate strategy that delivers superior performance. She will build and enhance relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local, state and federal business partners, airlines, the local community, and businesses within the Middle Tennessee region. In this role, she is responsible for directing the executive office and all board support activity in coordination with the president and CEO, as well as leading internal audit, airline affairs & air service development, and communications and marketing.
Adam Floyd has been promoted to vice president, operations, overseeing the Operations and Airport Communications Center (ACC) functions for Nashville International Airport. The operations functions include overseeing all required inspections to ensure airport safety and compliance with FAR Part 139 and the operational and business aspects of parking operations. The ACC includes the oversight of the communications center, emergency operations center and joint information center. Additionally, Floyd will be responsible for the Customer Information Center and BNA Aces.
Carrie Logan has been promoted to vice president, associate general counsel. Logan will lead the Authority’s compliance program, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations at the local, state and federal levels, and she will assist in monitoring and managing the Authority’s compliance with internal policies and procedures.
Stacey Nickens will serve as vice president, corporate communications and marketing. Nickens is responsible for developing, coordinating and promoting internal and external communications, public relations and media relations for the Authority. Nickens will continue to build and maintain positive relations with local and national news media, airport tenants, federal, state and local governmental agencies, civic organizations and the public by providing timely, relevant information and promoting the corporate image and interests of the airport. Her areas of responsibility include 24/7 corporate communications, marketing, community affairs, customer feedback and satisfaction surveys, events, music and arts.
Josh Powell has been promoted to assistant vice president, airline affairs & air service development. Powell will be is responsible for managing commercial and cargo air service, serves as the primary liaison to airlines and other air service development stakeholders, develops marketing and incentive strategies and builds relationships leading to new or expanded airline partnerships. The position is responsible for assuring compliance with signatory lease terms and non-signatory operating agreements, conducts research, analyzes data, prepares presentations tailored to specific airlines, routes and opportunities, and supports the Board of Commissioners.
Additionally, the Airport Authority will hire two new senior vice president positions – chief revenue officer, senior vice president, and chief development officer, senior vice president. The CRO will oversee Aeronautical and Non-Aeronautical Property Management, Hotel Lease Management and Compliance and Airport Concessions. The CDO will oversee Planning, Permitting and Code Compliance, Design & Engineering, Sustainability & Environmental, Airport Capital Development, Terminal Development and Grant Administration.