The Chattanooga Area Food Bank has hired Mark Hilling as director of operations. Hilling will be responsible for ensuring the long-term strategies for warehousing, food distribution, transportation, inventory control, food purchasing and food resourcing aligning with the Food Bank’s goal of doubling in size by 2025.
As the former director of manufacturing and warehouse operations for Ferrara Candy, Hilling developed and implemented the supply chain network through growth and acquisitions. He spent over 11 years in the position, overseeing operations in Chattanooga as well as additional operations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
For the past two years, Hilling has worked as a consultant on food operations design and improvements.
Hilling attended Vanderbilt University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA with an emphasis in operations. Besides his role with Ferrara Candy, he also owned and operated the Great Harvest Bread Co. in Chattanooga from 2004 to 2010.
A 20-year resident of Chattanooga, Hilling began his relationship with the Food Bank in 2004, serving as a board member from 2004 until 2010.
Doak to retire as CVB CEO
Bob Doak, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for 15 years, informed the executive committee in early August of his plans to retire on Dec. 31. The CVB executive committee asked Doak to continue in his role through February to assist in the transition to new leadership, and he agreed to stay on.
Doak was recognized in 2016 as the Tennessee Tourism Professional of the Year at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism. Prior to his service as president of CEO of the CVB, Doak was on the executive committee for six years and two years as chair.
Decosimo names Lucy Gates shareholder
Accounting, tax and consulting services firm Elliott Davis Decosimo has admitted Chattanooga CPA Lucy Gates as a shareholder. Gates focuses primarily on corporate, partnership and state taxation.
“I’m proud to become a shareholder of a firm where giving back to our communities is part of our culture,” Gates said. “One of Elliott Davis Decosimo’s values is service to others, and we live out this value by investing time and resources in strengthening our community relationships.”