Wiseman Ashworth Trauger has added three associate attorneys, Megan Frazier, Matt Holman and Katie Koss.
Frazier represents physicians, long-term care facilities, hospitals and other health care providers, and previously an associate at a regional firm in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Lawand is admitted to the Bar Associations in Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee, and is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.
Holman practices in the areas of health care liability defense, health care law, mental health law, long-term care defense, civil litigation and appellate law. He was previously in private practice on cases including criminal and family law, government defense, civil litigation and appellate practice. He is a 2021 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and is a member of the American, Tennessee, Nashville and Montgomery County bar associations.
Koss is a 2024 graduate of Loyola University School of Law. Before law school, she was a registered nurse working for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has led multiple teams and is certified as an ANCC Nurse Executive Advanced. She is an editor for the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse Review Manual and has worked with the American Nurses Credentialing Center in both the Pediatric Nursing Standard Setting Workgroup as well as an item writer for the Nurse Executive Advanced certification. She is a member of the American Health Law Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association.
Entrepreneur Center names Hall inductees
Nashville Entrepreneur Center will induct five esteemed business leaders – Pat Emery, Turner Nash, Ph.D., Pam and Phil Pfeffer, and Michael Burcham – into the Nashville Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame in October.
Emery, a real estate developer and community leader who died in 2002, is being honored for his impact on Nashville’s growth and development during the past four decades. His achievements include the development of the Fifth + Broadway complex and the transformation of the Cool Springs area into a corporate headquarters hub. He also is deeply involving community initiatives and philanthropy. His posthumous induction is a fitting tribute to his remarkable career.
An entrepreneur, inventor and leader, Nashe’s contributions have advanced technology in security-sensitive industries. His pioneering work in building technology, which facilitates the delivery of data and educational content, has set new standards in these sectors. Nashe’s career includes influential roles at Sonata Bank, Maxx Content, DevDigital and the co-founding of ReCOVer-Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pfeffers have significantly impacted multiple industries through innovation and strategic investments. Phil Pfeffer led the creation of several successful companies, including Ingram Micro Inc., and, together with Pam, founded Treemont Capital Inc. Their entrepreneurial ventures, mentorship and investments through the Nashville Entrepreneur Center have fostered the growth of numerous companies.
With a career spanning three decades, Burcham has established himself as a formidable leader, executive coach, entrepreneur, investor and strategist. His journey in health care innovation began as the founder and CEO of Theraphysics and continued with his role as the founding president and CEO of Nashville Entrepreneur Center. His contributions to business growth, mentorship and innovation have earned national recognition, including being honored as a National Champion of Change by President Obama, Nashvillian of the Year and Tennessean of the Year.
Creative Girls Rock selects new board
Creative Girls Rock has appointed six new members to its board of directors. The new board members, each serving a two-year term, will bring decades of experience and diverse perspectives to the organization, which strives to foster a supportive environment where young girls and women can develop their creative talents, build confidence, and positively influence the world around them.
The new board includes:
Joya Dinwiddie, vice president/branch manager for Regions Bank.
Elizabeth Hart, director of communications for Mental Health Cooperative. She has more than 20 years of experience in communications and marketing strategies, storytelling and community engagement.
Ebonee Ifeobu, a native of the south side of Chicago, is chief human resources officer for Heritage Medical Associates.
Nicole Marinake has more than two decades of brand partnership and event activation experience, including time spent at Sony Music Nashville and Madison Square Garden Co. She recently launched Amplified Ventures, which focuses on brand marketing and strategy, new technology, cause marketing, licensing and business development.
Michael Mettee is the chief financial officer for FirstBank and is responsible for all accounting, finance and investment initiatives for the bank, including capital markets, commercial loan hedging, mortgage trading and hedging, investor relations, secondary marketing, management of mortgage servicing rights, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting.
Franklin Willis is an educator, author and clinician. Formerly the CMA Foundation›s Community impact director, Willis played a pivotal role in propelling music education initiatives, both in Nashville and on a national scale. Recently, he assumed the role of fine arts director for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Creative Girls Rock is a 501(c)(3) rooted in a love for creative arts, youth development and community engagement since its establishment in 2017. Its mission is to educate and empower young girls and women to utilize their creative talents to enhance their lives and the world around them.
Leadership Middle Tennessee announces 2025 class
Leadership Middle Tennessee has selected 41 business and community leaders for its class of 2025 and named five new alumni board members.
New board members are Julia Baker (class of 2020, Davidson County), Michelle Balsley (2023, Dickson County), Ace Timmermeier (2022, Robertson County), Kimberly Wiggins (2020, Montgomery County) and Susan Williams (2018, Sumner County).
Class of 2025:
At-large
• Arlisa Armstrong, state director, USDA Rural Development
Cheatham County
• Yvette Doran, COO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville
• Chrissy Henderson, register of deeds, Cheatham County Register of Deeds
Davidson County
• Dmetria Gibson, chief transition officer/general counsel, Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction
• Moses Jefferies IV, chief of training/assistant chief, Nashville Fire Department
• Pat Lawson, regional affiliate coordinator, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
• Justin Maierhofer, regional executive, Tennessee Valley Authority
• Jill Palm, executive director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville
• Bernard Smith, director of administration, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
• Heidi Tieslau, director, Stanton Chase
• Kathryn Withers, planning manager, Barge Design Solutions
Dickson County
• Tiffany Lane, graphics/marketing, Hiscall, Inc.
• Kevin Mahoney, assistant commissioner administration/CFO, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
• Matthew Norris, patrol lieutenant, Dickson County Sheriff’s Office
Maury County
• Jeff Adams, orthopedic surgeon, TOA Columbia
• Katie McKeel, environmental planning manager, HNTB Corporation
Montgomery County
• Brad Averitt, assistant vice president of alumni and annual giving, Austin Peay State University
• Heather Fleming, director of human resources, Montgomery County Government
• Shannon Kitchen, director, payment growth strategies, Fortera Credit Union
• Tonya Leszczak, director of foundation & special projects, Millan Enterprises, LLC
• Jean Luna-Vedder, superintendent, Clarksville Montgomery County School System
• Edward Moss, director of juvenile services, Montgomery County Government
Robertson County
• Kristy Chowning, circuit court clerk, Robertson County Government
• Ceagus Clark, planning and codes director, City of White House, TN
• Jeremy Tackett, executive director, Robertson County Family YMCA
Rutherford County
• Lindsey Jennings, vice president of philanthropy, Discovery Center
• David Johns, chief financial officer, CDE Lightband
• Mariah Phillips, financial adviser, Northwestern Mutual Insurance
• Nicholas Rourke, hospitality professional, Marriott Gaylord Hotel Old Hickory Steakhouse
Sumner County
• Rosemary Bates, interim executive director, Gallatin Economic Development Agency
• Jeff Coker, president/CEO, Coker, Wolfe & Associates
• Kimberly Lynn, director of tourism, city of Goodlettsville
• Chris Rippy, area manager/SVP, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Williamson County
• Lacie Simonton, director of business development, Choate Construction
• Derrick Solomon, executive director, Hard Bargain Association
• Lyndsay Sullivan, senior business development manager, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee
• Celeste Ware, principal agent/CEO, Ware Enterprise LLC
Wilson County
• Hal Bone, owner, Bone Property Management
• Christine New, owner/operator, Tucker’s Gap Event Center
• Jeff Peterson, president & CEO, Novamet Specialty Products
• Traci Pope, director of community relations, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital
LMT, a regional leadership program founded in 2000, brings together leaders in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties to study issues affecting Middle Tennessee from a regional perspective and work together to strengthen their collective impact in the region.