Month: September 2009

East Tennessee Medical Group Dedicates New Home for Blount County Family

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – September 4, 2009

ETMG builds home photoAlcoa, Tenn.— More than 135 East Tennessee Medical Group (ETMG) volunteers are nearing the end of their Blount County Habitat for Humanity house construction, as they dedicate a new home for the Mark Roach family at 9 a.m. Sat. Sept. 12, in the new Norwood Village subdivision, Maryville, Tenn.

 The project is part of ETMG’s 15th anniversary celebration and “Community Centered” effort in Blount County.   ETMG staff gave up last year’s Christmas gathering and this year’s annual employee appreciation picnic to use those monies (with additional physician funding) to pay for the building expenses.  Every weekend this summer, employees and physicians were swinging hammers, climbing on roofs, and wielding paintbrushes to actually build the Roach’s new home.

“It’s been an honor for East Tennessee Medical Group to serve Blount County for 15 years,” said Ron German, CEO of ETMG. “The Habitat for Humanity house is a great opportunity for us to give back to our community, while thanking the citizens of Blount County for supporting our medical practice.”  This is ETMG’s first year to sponsor a home for Blount County Habitat for Humanity.

Tony Gibbons, Blount County Habitat for Humanity’s executive director, said the non-profit organization is thankful for ETMG’s help. “It has been fortunate for us and the families of Habitat for Humanity to work with such a dedicated group of people. It speaks to the character of ETMG’s employees when they give up their time and seasonal get-togethers to help us out.”

During the construction, which began June 6, the multi-specialty physicians’ practice received some unexpected help from several Blount community groups and businesses, including Fairview United Methodist Church, Louisville Christian Church, Hickory Construction, Tipton & Tipton Roofing Company, and even several patients who heard what ETMG was doing.

Rocky Davis, ETMG facilities director and coordinator for the Habitat build, said he was amazed “how many of our neighbors really want to take the time to make a difference. They helped us put on shingles, build porches and install the house’s siding.  It’s no wonder we start each construction day with a group prayer.  This project has turned out to be as much a blessing for ETMG as it has been for our partner family. ”

German said he is optimistic about future collaboration with local groups on other community service projects. “We’ll further this tradition of giving back by continuing to work with organizations like Blount Habitat for Humanity to make the community a better place to live.”

During Saturday’s dedication, the Roaches will be given their house keys, gifts from local merchants and the house will be blessed by a local pastor.

Celebrating 15 years of care to the Blount County community, East Tennessee Medical Group, 266 Joule Street, Alcoa, is Blount County’s most comprehensive physicians’ organization, with more than  45 physicians and allied health professionals, supported by state of the art technology and staff.  ETMG also is the recipient of the 2008 TECHMED award for its use of innovative electronic medical records and patient care technology and received this year’s Daily Times Reader’ Choice Award as Blount County’s Best Healthcare Facility.   For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

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Media Contact
Lisa Hood Skinner
(865) 584-0550
lskinner@ackermannpr.com

Resurrection Names Executive Director

Posted by Amelia Daniels – September 4, 2009

LogoGatlinburg, TN – The south’s premier event for Christian youth, Resurrection, announced the creation of a new position today, naming an executive director.  For the first time in the organization’s 25-year history, Resurrection will be led by executive director, Jason Roe.  More than 12,500 teens ascend on Gatlinburg for Resurrection each year.  Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, it is an evangelistic experience for youths aged 13 – 19 and their adult mentors. 

Roe, who will manage the ministry, attended Resurrection as a youth.  “I know first hand what Resurrection can do for a young person.  I was 11 years old when I went to my first Resurrection and it changed my life.”  Roe is now an evangelist and as executive director, he will work to expand Resurrection beyond the two weekend-long events. “When I see a teen bring a friend to Resurrection and maybe that friend has never been to church, that friend gets to experience worship in a fresh and exciting way,” says Roe.  “What an introduction to the Gospel!” 

Resurrection was formed in 1985 by three youth pastors, Don Thomas, Hugh Kilgore and Steve Blakemore. Their goal was simple. They wanted to facilitate the Christian experience for young people in a new way. Less than a year later, the first Resurrection was held at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg. It grew from several hundred to more than 12,000 in 25 years.  “It’s time that we take this incredible ministry to the next level and spread the Gospel to more and more youth,” says Blakemore. 

JasonResurrection

Roe speaks to youth at Resurrection 2009 in Gatlinburg, TN. Roe served as the emcee.

As for what the next 25 years hold, Roe says he is excited about the possibilities.  “We are moving towards a year-round ministry, which means Resurrection will be a resource for youth group leaders and the teens as well.”  Roe would also like to have Resurrection-sponsored mission trips for youth who live in impoverished communities where those resources are currently not available.  “Imagine taking a 14-year-old out of his rural county to a place like Haiti and expose him to other cultures, those less fortunate and ultimately the power of Christ,” says Roe.

While many of the youth groups that currently attend Resurrection are from East Tennessee, some travel more than 500 miles to be apart of the ministry.  They are responsible for their own accommodations; most of the groups stay in local hotels and cabins in the Gatlinburg area.  “You know, we’re always concerned about the cost, but we’re confident in the youth and their home churches.  They raise money to pay for their trip here,” says Thomas.  Tickets to Resurrection are
$35.00 per person in advance and $45.00 at the door.                                                                          

This year, nationally-renowned speaker and author, Justin Lookadoo will deliver the message at each session of Resurrection.  “Justin Lookadoo is one of those guys you just can’t forget,” says Roe.  “He’s 6’7’’ and has spiky hair, but above all, he can connect with the youth.”  The musical guest at Resurrection 2010 is Kristian Stanfill, one of this generation’s most compelling singer/songwriters. 

For more information about Resurrection, visit the website www.resurrectionyouth.com. 

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Media Contact
Amelia Daniels
(865) 584-0550
adaniels@ackermannpr.com 

 

Cellular Sales, nation’s largest Verizon Wireless retailer, is in top 200 for fastest-growing retailers

Posted by Rick Laney – September 2, 2009

Cellular Sales LogoKnoxville, Tenn. –  Inc. magazine ranked Cellular Sales No. 183 on the “Inc. 5,000” list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held retail companies.  Cellular Sales was ranked No. 2,069 on the third annual overall list of the fastest growing companies.  The Inc. 5,000 represents a comprehensive look at America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.

Growth for Cellular Sales, which was also named on the 2008 list, was reported at 153.9 percent according to Inc. magazine.  The magazine reported that Cellular Sales’ 2005 revenue of $81.7 million had grown to $207.3 million in 2008.

“Cellular Sales’ ranking on this year’s Inc. 5,000 list is a testimony to customer service,” said Dane Scism, founder and CEO of Cellular Sales.  “Our business model is based on treating every customer as if they were our only customer.  People notice it when you take care of them.

Inc50002“How many people are there that know exactly who to call – by name – when they have a question about their cell phone or their service plan?  Our customers have a name and contact number for their own personal wireless consultant, a real person they can talk to right there in their own community.  We’re proud of the way we take care of customers, and we know it is the reason we are growing.”

For the past 15 years, Cellular Sales has consistently outperformed the rest of its industry, and is now the nation’s largest retailer of Verizon Wireless.  By year end, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Cellular Sales will open 50 new stores, bringing the company’s total number of locations to over 300. 

“When the economy is booming, growth is expected,” Scism said.  “But companies that are growing in spite of the economy – like Cellular Sales – have to be doing something different.” 

For more information about Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless, visit the company’s web site at www.cellularsales.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com