Mid-Tennessee ABC installs 2006 board

The Mid-Tennessee Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. installed its new leadership for 2006 at a membership luncheon in January.

Mark Smith, 2005 chairman, thanked the membership and staff and spoke of the successes of the previous year. He also thanked the board members and acknowledged the participation of retiring board members Wade Putnam of Medical Construction Group and Eddie Wayland of King and Ballow.

The gavel was passed to John Wimberly, I. C. Thomasson Associates, who will serve as chairman of the board for 2006. Wimberly outlined the chapter goals for 2006 and urged the membership to commit to helping make these goals a reality. In particular, he stressed the importance of membership growth and retention, education and training, and the always-present need of staying involved in the political arena.

Other officers include Barry Oakley, Oakley Construction Inc., chairman-elect; Dan Brodbeck, American Constructors Inc., first vice chairman; Mike Walker, Walker Electric Co., secretary/treasurer; and Mark Smith, The Comfort Group, past-chairman.

In other news, at the recent National ABC Leadership Conference in Tucson, Ariz., the Mid-Tennessee Chapter was recognized for "superior membership growth." The chapter maintained very high membership retention while growing the chapter membership.

Sonnenblick-Eichner arranges $23 million in financing for Beale Street hotel

Sonnenblick-Eichner Co. recently arranged $23 million in construction financing for the 203-room Westin Beale Street Hotel in downtown Memphis.

The Westin Beale Street is expected to be one of the only branded four-star hotels in the market when it is completed in early 2007. The Westin hotel will be developed and managed by Nashville-based Senate Hospitality Group and is designed by Hnedak Bobo Group of Memphis.

The $40 million hotel is part of $2.5 billion in new investment that developers and the government are making in downtown Memphis.

Smith Seckman Reid recently awarded more than 140 projects

Smith Seckman Reid (SSR) of Nashville an engineering design and facility consulting firm, was recently awarded contracts on more than 140 projects.

Notable south central projects include Station Camp Sewage Lift Station in Gallatin, Tenn.; Goose Creek Interceptor Phase II in Franklin, Tenn.; University of Tennessee Walter Life Science Systems Improvement in Knoxville, Tenn.; St. Jude Campus Loop Road in Memphis, Tenn.

SSR, which has nine offices across the U.S., specializes in consulting services related to facility and infrastructure design, operation and management. The firm delivers services for facilities nationwide, including healthcare, research, entertainment, education, sports and municipal clients.