Here’s a look at promotions, hirings and other noteworthy business events in the Memphis area:
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells, a member of the Rhodes Class of 1982 and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, received an honorary Doctor of Humanities during the 177th Commencement of Rhodes College May 16 in the Hubert F. Fisher Memorial Garden on campus. In 2024, she made history becoming the first woman and first Black person elected to lead the diocese. She had served as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown and chaplain of the church’s preschool. Wells earned a Master of Divinity from the Memphis Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctor from The University of Memphis and Doctor of Ministry from Emory University. Prior to her ordination into the ministry, Wells practiced law for 18 years, first with the law firm of Waring Cox PLLC and then as a corporate attorney for FedEx.
The 2026 William M. Leech Jr. Public Service Award will be presented to Baker Donelson attorney and former Tennessee Bar Association President George T. “Buck” Lewis June 12 by the Fellows of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. The award is given each year to a Tennessee lawyer who has been of outstanding service to the profession, the legal system and their community. It will be presented at the TBA’s Annual Convention in Knoxville during the Lawyers Luncheon. Lewis is a shareholder in the Memphis office of Baker Donelson and leads the Firm’s Appellate Group. He has practiced law for almost 45 years, focusing on class action, business litigation, and appellate work.
Annual awards were presented at the 177th Commencement Exercises of Rhodes College May 16 held on its campus. The 2026 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was presented to Dr. David McCarthy, professor of art and art history. In cooperation with the New York Southern Society, Rhodes presents the award annually to one non-student who has given selflessly to the college and others. The college presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Richard Huddleston, the college’s bursar and a member of the Rhodes Class of 1984. The college presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Richard Huddleston, the college’s bursar and a member of the Rhodes Class of 1984.
Southern College of Optometry recently elected alumna Dr. Belinda Starkey, O.D. and William McDonald to its Board of Trustees.
The Brothers That Just Do Gutters recently announced the opening of its newest franchise location serving the Mid-South across Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. Located at 5796 Shelby Oaks Drive, Suite 8, the business is owned and operated by Will Tashie alongside partner Trace Cisneros, and offers gutter services for residential and commercial properties. For information, call 763-8330.
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