SAMARITAN CENTER NAMES CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
MONTGOMERY – Nancy W. Thomas and Alice T. Williams have been promoted to co-executive directors of the Samaritan Counseling Center Inc.
Thomas, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama, will serve as executive director for clinical services. She has a master’s degree in counselor education from the University of Alabama with a focus in marriage and family therapy. She has significant clinical experience from her internship and subsequent employment at Meadhaven Emotional Health Program at Baptist Health.
She was director of counseling at Huntingdon College and has extensive continuing education from nationally ranked programs in mental health, marriage and family and college issues. Thomas has been with the Samaritan Counseling Center since 2005 and has served as the center’s clinical director since 2008.
Williams, who has been with the Samaritan Counseling Center since 2005, will be the executive director of operations. She most recently was director of operations and development.
She has worked and volunteered with non-profit organizations and public agencies for 30-plus years and has served in numerous state and national positions with non-profits. Prior to joining the Samaritan Center, Williams served as development manager of the Alabama National Kidney Foundation and as executive director of the McCraney Cottle Arts Council.
She is a graduate of the University of Florida.
The Samaritan Counseling Center, founded in 1999, is a non-profit organization that provides professional counseling services and educational programs to people of all economic backgrounds.
REGIONS BANK HIRES BRANCH SALES MANAGER
MONTGOMERY – Regions Bank has hired Daniel Paulk to be the branch sales manager at the Jackson Hospital location.
Paulk has several years in outside sales experience and most recently worked at New York Life as a financial services professional for three years. He is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the branch and will also be involved in insurance and annuity sales.
“We are thrilled to have Daniel join the Regions team,” said Donald Hunter, vice president/consumer sales manager. “We are sure he will have a very rewarding and exciting career at Regions. He brings exactly what we are looking for to be a very successful branch sales manager.”
Paulk graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
GILPIN GIVHAN WELCOMES ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
MONTGOMERY – Minjae Song has joined the law firm of Gilpin Givhan, P.C., as an associate attorney.
Song is an attorney in the firm’s business organizations and transactions, and labor and employment practice groups.
He attended Korea University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in law. Song received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta.
RIVER REGION FACIAL PLASTICS HIRES CERTIFIED MEDICAL AESTHETICIAN
MONTGOMERY – River Region Facial Plastics has added a certified medical aesthetician to its staff.
Amy Bierly has years of experience in medical spa treatments. She is also certified in a number of different lasers and advanced medical spa procedures, including Ultherapy, a new type of non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound and the body’s own natural healing process to lift, tone and tighten loose skin.
THOMPSON INSURANCE ADDS TWO EMPLOYEES
MONTGOMERY – Thompson Insurance Inc. expanded its staff with the additions of Doug Aman and Charlie Carper.
The two are experienced in the construction insurance industry segment.
The firm also announced the association of HRCA (Hines, Rudolphi, Carper, Aman), specializing in the placement and risk management of construction surety bonds and insurance. Thompson Insurance, which was founded in 1963, is an insurance brokerage firm.
BANKTRUST HIRES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
MONTGOMERY – Donald W. Cioban has joined BankTrust as Senior Vice President - Commercial Lender.
A veteran banker with more than 40 years of experience, Cioban has served in executive and senior level positions throughout his career. He will assist customers with commercial loans and cash management services. His office is at the Taylor Road branch in Montgomery.
CHAMBLESS KING  ANNOUNCES ADDITION
MONTGOMERY – The team of architects and interior designers at Chambless King Architects recently announced the addition of Roy Gray.
Gray comes to Chambless King with more than 20 years of experience in the construction and architectural fields. He will oversee the roles of specification development and contract administration. Gray has worked in the Montgomery area for the past 20 years.
“His years of experience and knowledge bring a high level of value to Chambless King in the field of material specifications, construction administration, marketing, project cost and quality control,” said Stephen King, principal of Chambless King Architects.
EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL ADVISER JOINS STERNE AGEE’S MONTGOMERY OFFICE
MONTGOMERY – Sterne Agee has named Springna Zhao a vice president of the private client group in Montgomery.
Zhao was a global wealth management consultant for Merrill Lynch in Montgomery from 2007 to 2009. She also founded LAN Consulting, LLC, in Montgomery, that consulted with the both U.S. government and private sectors alike to obtain Chinese investments. In 2009, she founded an independent financial planning practice, NEXT Financial Group, which focused on high net worth clients in the Montgomery area.
“All of us at Sterne Agee are excited to have Springna bring her financial knowledge and expertise to our team,” said Chappell Hill, managing director of Sterne Agee. “Her global experience and wealth management training will blend well with our group of existing financial advisers furthering our focus on providing excellence in customer service.”
Zhao received a master’s degree from Auburn University in 2006. After graduation, Zhao served as a consultant for Alabama Governor Bob Riley in international economic affairs. She is a native of the Yunnan Province of China. Zhao received a bachelor’s degree in international relations and English in 2004 from China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing.
