A piano composition by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professor Jonathan McNair is featured on “Piano Crosscurrents,” a Grammy-nominated classical album by New York pianist and composer Max Lifchitz.
McNair, the Ruth S. Holmberg professor of American Music, has taught at UTC for 26 years. His piece, “Rabun Gap,” was professionally recorded with support from a UTC faculty development grant and added to the album, which debuted in April 2025. Lifchitz’s North-South Consonance Ensemble, founded more than four decades ago, is dedicated to performing works by contemporary composers from across the Americas.
The Appalachian landscape Inspired McNair’s composition during his artist residency at the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences. The album’s Grammy nomination came as a surprise to McNair, who said he was honored to have his work recognized in the classical category.
Winners of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced in February.
Grant Konvalinka welcomes two associates
Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison has added two new attorneys, Caroline Hood and Jake Peterson, as associates.
A Chattanooga native and alumna of Girls Preparatory School, Hood earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She served as production editor for the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture & Natural Resources and received three CALI awards for academic excellence. Hood will practice in business and corporate law, financial services and transactions, real estate and taxation.
Peterson joins the firm’s general civil and commercial litigation practice. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Tennessee, where he was active in Moot Court and externed for Judge Walden in the 8th Judicial District. A lifelong Tennessean, Peterson lived in Memphis and Knoxville before moving to Chattanooga.
CHI Memorial adds 2 to Breast Care Associates
CHI Memorial Medical Group has added Dr. Aparajita Spencer and nurse practitioner Tajuana Prater to CHI Memorial Breast Care Associates.
Spencer earned her medical degree and completed a breast surgery fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, following a general surgery residency at Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Prater, a Ringgold native, received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master’s in nursing from Southern Adventist University. She brings 18 years of nursing experience at CHI Memorial and is a two-time Nurse of Excellence award recipient.
Appointments
Covenant promotes Cartright to EVP
Covenant Logistics has promoted Billy Cartright to executive vice president at Lew Thompson and Son Trucking, a Covenant Logistics Group company.
Cartright joined Covenant in 2019 and has worked to improve operations and coordination between Covenant and Lew Thompson and Son. He has more than 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics.
In his new role, Cartright will oversee operations and support growth initiatives across the organization. Covenant President Paul Bunn said the promotion recognizes Cartright’s contributions to integrating the two companies’ goals and values.
HHM CPAs adds Vaughn as partner
HHM Certified Public Accountants has announced that Jim Vaughn, CPA, has joined the firm as a partner in its Chattanooga office.
Vaughn brings more than 25 years of experience advising financial institutions and privately held businesses across the Southeast. His expertise includes audit, internal controls, regulatory compliance and strategic consulting for banks, credit unions and other financial organizations. He will also provide tax and advisory services to privately owned companies in multiple industries.
Before joining HHM, Vaughn spent over two decades with a regional accounting firm, where he led the Chattanooga office and served as financial services practice leader. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with degrees in accounting and finance, he is an active member of professional and civic organizations, including Scouting America’s Cherokee Area Council.
Miller retiring as city manager of East Ridge
City Manager J. Scott Miller will retire in January 2026, concluding a 45-year career in public service, the city of East Ridge announced. Miller has served as city manager since January 2023, following an earlier tenure from 2016 to 2018.
A veteran administrator with experience in nine municipalities across six states, Miller earned degrees from Ohio Northern University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he completed his master’s in public administration.
Under Miller’s leadership, East Ridge advanced major capital projects and expanded economic development initiatives while maintaining its commitment to transparency and local values. City officials praised his steady guidance, noting his role in strengthening the city during times of transition.
The City Council will announce details of the search for his successor in the coming months.