Powell Promoted to Life Care's vice president of IT and PMO and more Chattanooga-area career moves

May 29—Sarah Powell promoted to Life Care's vice president of IT and PMO

Sarah Powell, senior director of project management office (PMO) and administration for Life Care Centers of America, has been promoted to vice president of information technology and PMO.

In this role, Powell will work closely with Gene Chastain, vice president of information technology and cybersecurity, to oversee the company's application support teams.

"For the last almost 14 years, Sarah has been one of the most valuable members of Life Care's information technology organization," said Terry Leonard, chief information officer, who is retiring. "Due to her amazing accomplishments, she has been promoted numerous times. In this new role at the vice president level, she will have a critical leadership influence."

Powell was awarded Life Care's Danette Henry Servant Leader Award in 2019.

"I enjoy the culture here at Life Care and feel that it's my calling to be here," said Powell. "My goal is to provide the best support and tools for our nursing facilities and divisional and regional offices. I am looking forward to seeing what our IT department can accomplish as a team."

Originally from New Milford, Connecticut, Powell has lived in Bradley County most of her life. She earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and computer information systems from Lee University in Cleveland.

Ashley Platzer joins CHI Memorial at Soddy-Daisy practice

CHI Memorial Medical group announces Ashley Platzer, PA-C, has joined CHI Memorial Family Practice Associates — Soddy-Daisy.

Platzer earned her master's in physician assistant studies from Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. She also holds a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Platzer is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a certified Department of Transportation medical examiner.

Platzer joins John Dowlen, FNP-C, at CHI Memorial Family Practice Associates — Soddy-Daisy.

LifeSpring Community names new development director

LifeSpring Community welcomes Kathryn Briggs to the team as the new development director. Briggs has been tasked with equipping the local pediatric ministry to serve more children and families in Greater Chattanooga with exemplary, holistic care and services.

Briggs earned her bachelor's degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and she brings eight years of financial services, consulting, and fundraising experience to LifeSpring. A native of Chattanooga, she and her husband Michael have three children and reside in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

"I am excited, called, and committed to the ministry of LifeSpring," Briggs said.

Ronelle Sellers to head marketing, communications at CHI Memorial

Ronelle Sellers has been named market director of marketing and communications at CHI Memorial hospital in Chattanooga. Sellers succeeds Lisa McCluskey, who recently retired as the Memorial's vice president for marketing and communications.

Sellers brings 30 years of experience in the marketing field across multiple industries, including healthcare. Most recently, she served as the director of marketing for Henderson, Hutcherson and McCullough accounting firm in Chattanooga, where she led the marketing and communication strategies for 20 years.

In 2007, Sellers founded Southside Creative advertising agency and led the team as managing director until 2020. During her time at Southside, the agency's portfolio included clients from multiple industries including healthcare, accounting, retail, and nonprofits, among others. For these clients, Sellers developed and implemented brand marketing strategies and new business development through traditional and digital media efforts.

Sellers has served as chair of the Chattanooga Women's Leadership Institute and the Rotary Club of Chattanooga and currently serves on the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sellers received her bachelor's in business administration and marketing from the University of Tennessee.

ANCA awards Mark McKnight as outstanding new leader

Mark McKnight, president and CEO of Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, has been recognized by the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) as the 2021 ANCA Outstanding New Leader. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates leadership, professionalism, professional development and creativity within the field of nature and environmental learning centers.

McKnight joined Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center in 2017 and has boosted revenues nearly fivefold in the past four years through new memberships, grants, earned revenue and donations. In the three years prior to McKnight's arrival, Reflection Riding's revenue had dropped by nearly half, the board of directors was shrinking in size and the organization was still composed of two separate organizations.

"Mark has been an advocate for the outdoors and our natural resources for many years," said Santosh Sankar, board chair at Reflection Riding. "Under his leadership, this organization has come so far, and we are really excited about where Mark will take us in the future."

McKnight has maintained a strong involvement in ANCA, regularly attending Annual Summits and serving on the ANCA Marketing Committee. He also serves on the boards of Lula Lake Land Trust, Cumberland Trails Conference, Thrive Regional Partnership and Chattanooga Lion's Club.

"I first met Mark in 2018 at the Dream Big Summit in McAllen, Texas, and was immediately impressed with his professionalism and enthusiasm," said Jen Levy, ANCA executive director. "It was obvious that he would do great things for his nature center and for ANCA."

CO.LAB adds Chloé Morrison to head communications

Longtime journalist Chloé Morrison has been named director of communications for The Company Lab (CO.LAB), a nonprofit organization supporting entrepreneurs and startups across southeast Tennessee.

Morrison is a veteran communicator who covered startups in the Scenic City for the past seven years at media startup Nooga.com. She will lead CO.LAB's messaging, branding and public relations, working closely with CEO Lindsey Cox and other leadership team members.

"We're excited to have Chloé join the team as we evolve and continue to support local entrepreneurs and startups," Cox said. "She's been a keen observer of the city's startups through her reporting and will bring experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to the role."

Morrison previously worked at the Chattanooga Times Free Press and also teaches media writing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

"I've always admired The Company Lab's work, and I'm thrilled to get to be a part of what's next for this fantastic nonprofit," Morrison said.

Cox, who assumed her role as CEO in April, is leading the nonprofit group through a post-COVID-19 environment that has transformed the way entrepreneurs everywhere work. Cox said the future is increasingly reliant on technology, and Chattanooga , which bills itself as Gig City, has been on the cutting edge of innovation for more than a decade.

Information about new hires, promotions and business awards should be sent to onthemove@timesfreepress.com.