Buchanan Realty Group CLICK HERE located in Hamilton Hills Shopping Center, 621 Old Hickory Blvd., sponsors Strictly Business, a weekly column that takes a look at a few of this week’s business highlights.
The Buchanan Realty Group – (731) 300-3071 – provides commercial real estate services throughout Tennessee. The group specializes in leasing, tenant representation, investment sales and acquisition – concentrating on retail, hospitality, c-store, medical, industrial and multi-family sectors.
Real estate market report – Jackson-Madison County
According to the Multiple Listing Service –
New construction homes sold in April – 12
Number of active listings in April – 176
Average days on the market in April – 44
Number of homes sold in April – 83
Median sales price in April – $286,000
Business Spotlight – Saliba, McCoy, Dawkins promoted at Greater Jackson Chamber
JACKSON, Tennessee – The Greater Jackson Chamber announces the promotions of three staff members, Lauren Saliba, Logan McCoy and Lindsay Dawkins.
Lauren Saliba has been promoted to Vice President of Education and Leadership Development. Saliba joined the Chamber in 2022 and has played a vital role in developing and leading programs like Leadership Jackson and Leadership University. In her expanded role, she will serve as the Chamber’s primary liaison with local schools, colleges, and universities, further strengthening the connection between education and business.
Logan McCoy has stepped into the role of Vice President of Existing Industry and Workforce CLICK HERE. He will continue to be the primary point of contact for existing industries within the community, playing a pivotal role in local and corporate relationships. Additionally, he will work to create partnerships with educational institutions to promote workforce development and educational initiatives that benefit both industry and job seekers. McCoy, a graduate of Union University, joined the Chamber in 2023.
Lindsay Dawkins, who joined the Chamber in 2022 assumes the position of Chief of Staff. Joining the executive team, Dawkins will take on additional responsibilities, including executive committee and board meeting functions. She will continue to oversee Forward Jackson, internal and external communications and marketing efforts. Dawkins is also a graduate of Union University.
BlueOval City – Ford advances training, sustainability as construction progresses
STANTON, Tennessee – Ford’s BlueOval City campus in Stanton, Tenn., is taking shape as robotic training cells, conveyors, paint spray booths and stamping press lines are installed at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant.
As the work in the plant progresses, Ford is prioritizing education, environmental protection and local engagement to help ensure West Tennessee residents benefit from the growth BlueOval City will bring.
“We have been humbled by the warm hospitality extended to us by our new neighbors in West Tennessee,” said Kel Kearns, plant manager, Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center at BlueOval City. “As the company that helped create the American middle class, we want residents in every community around the region to benefit as BlueOval City comes to life.”
Ford plans to develop local talent for jobs at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center through its BlueOval Learning initiative. Training will be comprehensive, with online, classroom and hands-on segments designed to prepare employees to operate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment in their areas.
The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center will use the latest Ford manufacturing equipment, so employees will train on machine vision systems for robot guidance and quality assurance, automated pick-and-place material handling, sealer and adhesive dispensing systems and various automated mechanical joining technologies, among several other manufacturing processes.
The company will begin hiring hourly employees in 2025 to ensure employees are on board and trained to support customer deliveries of the next-gen electric truck beginning in 2026.
‘You won’t find a better person’ – 60 years later James Johnson remains on job at Thomson Prestress
Some might say it was happenstance while others might believe it was Divine Intervention that led James Johnson to Construction Products, Inc. – now Thomson Prestress – his place of employment for the last 60 years – something that didn’t slip by those he is employed by or works with, when he was recognized during a banquet at the Jackson Country Club.
“The banquet was an honor, and these are good people to work for … a good company to work for – we’re kind of like family.” James said, “Wade (Thomson) Sr. had a lot to do with it. He gave me confidence I could do it, and I never felt I was overwhelmed. Our workload and production have increased, but the stress hasn’t.”
Thomson Prestress – a leader in high-quality, pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete products, specializing in bridges, commercial buildings, railroads, and marina construction – was founded in 1959 by Wade Thomson, Hunt Maddox, and Glenn Dillon, and moved to its present location at 1631 Ashport Road in 1964.
The company began as a division of Williams Steel Company on Lake Street, but moved to Ashport Road when the state needed the Lake Street property for what would become the Keith Short U.S. Highway 45 Bypass.
But before the land was developed to build bridges, James Johnson was sharecropping the property, and it was there Wade Thomson Sr. would meet the man who one day would become the plant manager at the company he helped found.
“My grandfather offered him money to help him unload some items out the back of a truck, and then wanted to know if James, a teenager, might be in the market for a job. “Wade Thomson said. ”He started off at the bottom as a kid, full-time … he came out not knowing anything, but now he knows everything about the business.”
Wade Thomson, president of Thomson Prestress, said James – wife and three children – has been plant manager for at least 20 years.
Dynamix Physical Therapy growth continues; opens 17th clinic in this West Tennessee community
MILAN, TENN. – Dynamix Physical Therapy has just announced it’s 17th clinic in West Tennessee, serving the community of Arlington, TN with the elite physical therapy and sports medicine services under the direction of Parker Dye, PT, DPT.
Parker Dye, PT, DPT, attended Western Kentucky University for his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Parker currently has a certification for Dry Needling and has completed course work for spinal manipulation through American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. He is pursuit of a manual therapy certification through Great Lakes Seminars. Parker, a native of Arlington, is a member of CrossFit Reveille and Faith Baptist. When not helping patients Parker enjoys golf and fishing.
“I am so excited to be back in Arlington to serve my home community. It is a privilege to work in a place I love surrounded by wonderful people”, said Parker. “Dynamix has the reputation of the best customer service around as well as unique treatments with a customized approach to care and I’m excited to bring that to my hometown.”
Heath Ladd, co-founder of Dynamix Physical Therapy shares, “I’m eager to watch Parker take on his new role as director of Dynamix Arlington. He exemplifies everything that a passionate leader in healthcare should be.”
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