After a nationwide search, the Tennessee Aquarium has selected Mary Ann Beil as its new chief financial officer.
Beil will assume the financial responsibilities long held by Gordon Stalans, who has served as the Aquarium’s CFO for more than 30 years. Stalans will continue in his roles as vice president, chief operating officer and chief information officer as Beil begins her tenure.
A native of Jackson, Beil joins the Aquarium’s executive leadership after six years as chief financial officer for the Memphis Zoo. Before that, she spent 20 years working in banking and finance in the Memphis area.
Beil says working in an environment tied directly to conservation, education and animal welfare was a major draw.
“You can do accounting anywhere, but nothing is more rewarding than doing it and seeing the results in things like conservation, education and animal welfare.”
In addition to her duties at the Aquarium, Beil will also serve as chief financial officer for the Creative Discovery Museum and the Hunter Museum of American Art, positions previously held by Stalans.
The aquarium is a significant economic driver for the Chattanooga area. According to a 2023 economic impact report, the institution generates more than $187 million in annual economic impact and supports more than 1,500 jobs through its operations, capital expenditures and spending by out-of-town visitors.
UTC names Sartipi interim research chief
The University of Tennessee has appointed Dr. Mina Sartipi as interim vice chancellor for research.
Sartipi currently serves as executive director of the UTC Research Institute and as founding director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress. She is a Guerry Professor and UC Foundation Professor in UTC’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering and holds a joint faculty appointment with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
In her current roles, Sartipi has led cross-disciplinary research initiatives that leverage Chattanooga’s city-scale mobility testbed, regional partnerships and emerging technologies. Her work has contributed to more than $35 million in funded research from federal, state and private sources, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Institutes of Health, the State of Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga and multiple industry partners.
The Center for Urban Informatics and Progress has collaborated with local, state and federal partners to deploy research in real-world settings, including development of Chattanooga’s MLK Smart Corridor and other large-scale smart city initiatives focused on mobility, energy and health.
Sartipi joined UTC as an assistant professor of computer science in 2006. She was named a UC Foundation Professor in 2015 and a Guerry Professor in 2020, designated a faculty member of the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education in 2018, and received a joint faculty appointment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2023.
In addition to her academic leadership, Sartipi serves on the boards of EPB, The Enterprise Center, Chattanooga Design Studio, Siskin Hospital and Variable Inc.
Sartipi earned a degree in electrical engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, and a master’s degree and doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
HHM gets a new partner in Gaslor
Melissa Gasior has joined HHM Certified Public Accountants as a partner.
Gasior brings more than 15 years of experience advising clients on complex federal, state and multi-state tax matters. Her practice focuses on tax planning and compliance for real estate, insurance, private equity and investment partnerships, with an emphasis on navigating regulatory requirements, optimizing tax strategies and managing multi-entity structures.
In her new role, Gasior will lead complex tax engagements, support multi-state and multi-entity clients and strengthen the firm’s technical capabilities across its expanding tax practice.
Before joining HHM, Gasior held leadership roles at three top 10 national CPA firms, where she managed large-scale tax engagements, mergers and acquisitions tax diligence and multi-entity compliance for a broad range of clients.
She holds a Master of Science in Taxation and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and is a licensed certified public accountant.
Gasior is active in professional and community organizations and is committed to mentoring emerging accounting professionals.
BrightBridge hires Allen as revenue chief
Barry Allen has joined community development financial institution BrightBridge Capital as chief revenue officer.
Allen brings more than 30 years of banking experience to BrightBridge’s leadership team, most recently serving as president and chief executive officer of a community bank.
In his new role, Allen will lead efforts to increase use of BrightBridge’s loan programs among its bank partners and promote alignment across sales, marketing and customer success to support statewide loan growth. He will also support the organization’s relationship managers as they work with lenders and business clients across Tennessee.
BrightBridge Capital offers the SBA 504 loan program statewide by partnering with banks to provide long-term, fixed-rate financing. Allen’s background in commercial lending and his extensive banking relationships are expected to support broader adoption of the program among financial institutions and their clients.
Allen lives in the Sequatchie Valley in Jasper, where he has resided for the past 15 years with his wife. An avid cyclist, he enjoys spending time outdoors and has focused his public service efforts on conserving Tennessee’s natural lands.
Miller & Martin promotes Sharber
Evan Sharber, a commercial real estate attorney in the Chattanooga office of Miller & Martin, has been elected to membership in the firm. Sharber advises clients on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development and financing transactions, guiding matters from contract negotiation and due diligence through closing and post-closing.
His practice includes work on title and survey issues, easements and restrictive covenants, loan documents and legal opinions and representation of landlords and tenants in commercial lease agreements. He has experience across a range of property types, including retail, industrial, office, mixed-use, multifamily, senior housing and mobile home parks.
Before entering private practice, Sharber worked as a legislative aide to former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker. He serves on the board of Compassion Community Care Center and is a member of Leadership Chattanooga’s Class of 2026. Sharber earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University.
HBAGC honors industry leaders
The Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga recognized seven members for outstanding leadership and service during its annual dinner and board meeting.
Julie Booth of Baker Tilly was named Associate of the Year, while Emilie Mullins of Dwell Designed Construction received Rookie of the Year honors. The Ralph Chumley Service Award went to Leah McInnis of Southern Insurance Associates.
Chris Mabee of Cornerstone Construction was selected as Builder of the Year, and Nerren Pratt of Pratt Home Builders earned Developer of the Year. The President’s Award was presented to Julian Bell.
The evening concluded with the Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Barry Payne of Barry Payne Construction for his long-standing contributions to the local home building industry.