James Purgason, Nick Carden join Market Street Partners and more

James Purgason, Nick Carden join Market Street Partners

Market Street Partners, PLLC, a dual-market Chattanooga-based accounting firm, has added James Purgason, CPA, as a principal in the firm and Nick Carden, CPA, as a senior manager.

A U.S. Army veteran, Purgason brings experience from two top-100 accounting firms and more than a decade of public accounting expertise with him to Market Street Partners. His practice primarily revolves around mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate, and high net worth individuals.

Carden, who is closing in on a decade of service in public accounting, has worked with companies in stages from pre-revenue to over $1 billion in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, automotive, baked foods, industrial machinery, and many more. He also has experience in investments including hedge funds, fund of funds, and private equity.

“When we founded Market Street Partners in 2016, we wanted to grow both fast and strategically,” said Kyle Bryant, founding partner at Market Street Partners. “To achieve those goals, we knew we would need to bring in the best of the best CPA talent possible, and professionals like James and Nick are exactly what we, and our clients, need.”

Melissa Blevins to head Chattanooga Area Food Bank

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank has appointed Melissa Blevins as president and chief executive officer, effective Sept. 21.

Blevins has served as chief executive officer of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga for more than three years. Previously, she was director of programs and operations with the Food Bank from 2011 to 2017.

“The Food Bank is here to lead a network of partners in solving hunger, and that’s only possible with the generous support of our community, the hard work of staff members and the dedication of volunteers,” Blevins said. “While it is bittersweet to leave a wonderful team at Girls Inc., I am thrilled to rejoin the Food Bank and accelerate our efforts to solve hunger.”

Last fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed the equivalent of approximately 13 million meals, or more than 17 million pounds, across its 20-county, 7,000-square-mile service area in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. One in five people – including one in four children – are projected to be food insecure due to the pandemic.

“As Director of Programs and Operations, Melissa worked on the front lines to fight hunger and serve people in their greatest time of need,” said Food Bank Board Chair Jim Catanzaro. “Coupled with her experience at the helm of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, she will lead the Food Bank through the pandemic and position it to grow strategically in its service to our area.”

Rick Cadena joins Prime Hospitality Management

Rick Cadena has joined Prime Hospitality Management and Investment Group as vice president of operations.

Drawing on his extensive hotel leadership experience he will oversee several hotels and serve as a liaison between general managers, owners, and communities in various markets.

Cadena has more than 32 years of hotel management experience, primarily with Marriott International after serving 12 years in the U.S. Navy. He currently serves as a board member for the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association as well as a volunteer for the Chattanooga Area Chamber, Southern Adventist University, and the Family Justice Center. He is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga.

Adelyn Cummins named designer at Office Furniture Warehouse

Adelyn Cummins has joined the Office Furniture Warehouse team as an in-house designer, assisting the company’s sales team with drafting and renders to give clients a more complete perspective on their investment.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Cummins has an Interior Design degree and experience in marketing as well as customer service.

“Office Furniture Warehouse is so happy to add Ms. Cummins’ expertise to our roster – maintaining design intent on a project is essential to the designer and the client,” said Beverly Jerman, vice president of business development at Office Furniture Warehouse.

Office Furniture Warehouse, winner of the 2014 and 2019 Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award, provides new and used office furniture as well as office furniture services to organizations and individuals throughout the Southeast.

Jameson Miller named partner at Mauldin & Jenkins

The CPA firm Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC, has appointed Jameson Miller as a partner in the Chattanooga office.

Miller has been with the firm since 2006. He graduated from the University of…