Alabama

JH Partners Architecture and Interiors of Huntsville, Ala., recently announced that its president, Kristine A. Harding, has been appointed to Alabama's State Board of Registration of Architects board of directors for a four-year term ending July 2008.

Harding was nominated by her peers from the north Alabama region and was appointed to the position by Governor Bob Riley.

She received both bachelor of arts and bachelor of architecture degrees from Rice University. During her 20-year career, she has practiced architecture with firms in Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Alabama.

As president of JH Partners, Harding provides leadership to the firm, creative design solution concepts and hand-on experience.

JH Partners also announced the hiring of Courtney Blevins as an interior design intern for the firm. Blevins will be working with the firm's interior designers on technical drafting design.

She recently received her bachelor's degree in interior design from Auburn University. She has more than three years of experience working with interior design firms in Huntsville, Birmingham and Auburn, as well as New York City.

While attending Auburn University, Blevins served as public relations officer for the school's International Interior Design Association and treasurer for its chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

David McClendon was hired as an intern architect with the firm, where he will work closely with the firm's clients to develop creative and innovative design concepts for upcoming projects.

McClendon received an associate degree in design drafting technology from Calhoun Community College and a bachelor's degree in architecture from Auburn University. McClendon has more than 10 years of experience in drafting and design and has received awards for his work, including the Alabama Concrete Industries Association Design Award in 2002 and the 3rd Year Studio Faculty Book Award in 2002 while attending Auburn.

Arkansas

Cody Crawford was recently hired as a project manager at Bell-Corley Construction of Little Rock, Ark.

Mississippi

Neel-Shaffer Inc.'s Columbus, Miss., office recently promoted Todd Gale to office manager.

Gale has a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from Mississippi State University and a degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has significant experience in engineering and has worked at several of the company's offices.

Neel-Shaffer also announced the appointment of Vincent J. Malavasi Jr. at its Southaven, Miss., office. Malavasi will serve in the water/wastewater division.

Previously, he worked for the Mississippi Department of Transportation and for Neel-Schaffer. He also worked for an engineering firm in Clarksdale, Miss., for 15 years.

Horne CPA Group of Jackson, Miss., recently promoted Ann R. Cleland to senior manager. She has been employed with the company since 2003. The company also promoted Clayton R. Culpepper to senior manager of information technology services. He has been with the company since 1995.

In Hattiesburg, Miss., Horne Technology Group appointed Prentiss Adams as an applications development senior manager. He has been with the company since 2000. The group is an affiliate of Horne CPA Group.

Horne's Jackson office appointed Yolanda R. Campbell and Patrick C. Gough as audit managers at Horne's Jackson office.

Also, HTG of Jackson promoted Reed Hubbard as manager, headquartered in Jackson.

The Mississippi Associated General Contractors recently presented Chris Solop with the 2004 President's Award.

Solop, of Armstrong Allen PLLC of Jackson, is a resident of Jackson. The attorney is the first non-general contractor to receive the award.

His areas of expertise include construction litigation, government contracts and surety law.

AGC President Dan Hensarling said Solop has contributed a significant amount of time to further the goals of the chapter.

Tennessee

The U. S. Small Business Administration has named Clinton Smith as director of its Tennessee District Office in Nashville.

Smith will be responsible for Tennessee's loan guarantee, procurement and business assistance programs, and has been acting district director for the office since February.

He joined SBA in 1975 and during that time has been chief of finance, assistant district director for finance and investment, and deputy district director.

Smith is also a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs.

National

Two recent promotions at Firestone Building Products Co. complete the company's new sales and marketing team and position Firestone for future growth in the commercial roofing industry.

Firestone recently named Mark Munley as division manager of corporate marketing. Munely will direct new initiatives, including expanding beyond commercial roofing to global programs within the geomembrane market and emerging roof concepts.

He will continue to oversee Firestone's Building Products University, a program that educates building owners, specifiers, architects and consultants about commercial roofing applications.

Phil LaDuke was appointed national account manager, a position previously held by Munley. In his new role, LaDuke will manage six strategic account representatives to leverage Firestone's industry leadership and expertise within the building owner market.

Firestone first announced a series of organizational improvements in early 2004, in an effort to streamline planning, promotion, communication and sales activities across all regions and markets.

"The leadership and industry experience Mark and Phil bring to their new roles will be a valuable asset to Firestone's new combined sales and marketing team," said Mike Gorey, president of Firestone Building Products.

Munley joined Firestone in 1999 and most recently guided Firestone's strategic account program as national account manager. Before working at Firestone, he managed sales and marketing initiatives for an environmental remediation and emergency response company.

He also served as national sales manager for Conrail from 1984 to 1991.

LaDuke previous served as Firestone's consultant services manager. Prior to joining Firestone in 1999, LaDuke spent five years as a roofing consultant in the Detroit area, working as manager of roofing services for Testing Engineers & Consultants and president of Dundee-Delta Corp.