Biz Buzz: Gibbons signs contract extension

CBJ Admin
Thursday, Jul 12, 2012

COOKEVILLE – On-air talent and midday personality Philip Gibbons has signed a multi-year contract extension that will keep him in the Cookeville market past his 40-year anniversary. He has been on the air here for 38 years.

“Philip is a hard working, community involved personality that is loved and revered by community leaders, the entire Cookeville staff and the 94.7 Country Giant listeners,” said operations manager Jonathan Monk. “We are honored and privileged to have Philip on our team.”

UC reps among Haslam appointees

UPPER CUMBERLAND – Four Upper Cumberland representatives were among the 165 Tennesseans named to various state boards and commissions by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today.

Mark Loftis, Cookeville, was named to the Board of Examiners in Psychology; Joan Gardner, Crossville, was named to the Committee on Physicians Assistants; Rebekah Seiber, Crossville, was named to the Council on Developmental Disabilities; and Noble Cody, Cookeville, was named to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

“I appreciate the willingness to serve the state and the commitment of these men and women,” Haslam said. “Tennessee will be well-represented on these boards and commissions, and I look forward to continuing our review to make sure Tennesseans have a government responsive to them.”

Appointment terms are varied due to differing statutory requirements or term limits determined by specific qualifications.

Bryan Symphony, WCTE among grant recipients

PUTNAM COUNTY — State Rep. Ryan Williams (R- Cookeville) has released the list of grant award recipients in his district from the Tennessee Art Commission for 2013 fiscal year.

These grants are to support the local arts projects and are as follows:

• Bryan Symphony Orchestra Association at Tennessee Tech University - $7,950
• Algood Senior Center - $4,550
• WCTE Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council - $2,450
• Cumberland Art Society - $1,200

“The Tennessee Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who purchase specialty license plates,” Williams said.

Bob Wormsley, incoming chair, the Tennessee Arts Commission will award more than 900 grants totaling $7.5 million during 2013 fiscal year. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. The commission’s allocations process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate arts disciplines and review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission.

“We were pleased with the amount of funding available to our grantees, and we are so grateful to Gov. (Bill) Haslam and the General Assembly for recognizing the importance of the arts to all Tennesseans,” said Wormsley. “Approximately $5.8 million of the Commission’s grant funding is made possible through the sale of specialty and collegiate license plates which Tennesseans voluntarily purchase each year.”

For more information on grant programs offered by the Tennessee Arts Commission, visit www.tn.gov/arts.

Identity Group awarded BB&T safety award

COOKEVILLE – Identity Group has been awarded the Lighthouse Safety Award by BB&T Legge Insurance Services, recognizing the company for excellence in safety performance during 2011.

This award signifies Identity’s continued commitment to excellence and the safety and the health of their employees, clients and the public. Identity achieved the Excellent Safety Performance level of the award - which is the best available.

Identity Group is a leading provider of customized identity products serving three business segments: interior signage for businesses; consumer products for home, school and office; and print solutions. Its Cookeville facility serves as company headquarters as well as a manufacturing site. Additional facilities are located in Nashville; Wichita, Kan.; Utica, N.Y.; Dover, N.H,; Cleveland, Ohio; Danville, Ky.; and Sarasota, Fla. Identity Group employs a total of 470 (250 in Cookeville) and its major product lines include signs, stationery, self-stick page flags, marking and graphics products.

Sparta to celebrate new restaurant opening

SPARTA – The Antebellum Restaurant in Sparta will celebrate its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14. The restaurant, located at 1 E. Maple St. on Liberty Square in downtown Sparta, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.