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MCG NEW RELEASE: Monarch Mortgage Launches ‘No Surprises Promise’ Campaign

MORRIS CREATIVE GROUP LLC
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Chuck Morris
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
(865) 637-9869
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2012

Monarch Mortgage Launches ‘No Surprises Promise’ Campaign

Knoxville, Tenn.— Monarch Mortgage is proud to announce the launch of its “No Surprises Promise” campaign that will implement new strategies and offer a top-level suite of services to borrowers and realtors.

The campaign revolves around the “No Surprises Promise” philosophy of Monarch Mortgage that will utilize proactive communication methods at each stage of the loan process. “The enhanced customer service program was created because nobody wants last-minute surprises,” Paul Cosse’, the senior vice president of Monarch Mortgage, said. “With the mortgage lending process being so complicated and the underwriting process being so detailed, there are a lot of things that can come up during the processing of a loan.”

The team of highly experienced mortgage lending professionals at Monarch Mortgage makes the loan processes simple and easy by knowing these things in advance and discussing them with the customer in the beginning.  Once the customer is familiar with how the entire process works, Monarch communicates with customers at each step of the loan process to keep them informed.

“We provide our customers with status updates regarding their loan so they know what is going on with their loan application and what the next step is,” Cosse’ said.

The company operates out of its main facility located at 300 Montvue Road in Knoxville. Loan officers are also conveniently located within the real estate offices of Coldwell Banker Wallace and Wallace and Gables & Gates Realtors. Monarch offers the convenience of in-house underwriters and in-house processors that are familiar with the East Tennessee, Southwest Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia market. Their goal is to establish Monarch Mortgage as a dependable, reliable, local lender that provides top-quality customer service to its customers.

ABOUT MONARCH MORTGAGE
Monarch Mortgage is a division of Commercial Bank, which has more than $800 million assets. The mortgage department, created in 1995, was renamed Monarch Mortgage in July 2010. Monarch Mortgage specializes in fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans for the purchase or refinance of residential properties. Monarch Mortgage works with the leading secondary market investors and lenders in the industry to provide the most competitive mortgage loan programs available.

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Posted on:October 23, 2012 Comments: No Comments Categories: Financial Press Releases Real Estate

East Tenn. Businesses Land Spot on 2012 CRN Fast Growth 100 List

crnfastgrowth2012 East Tenn. Businesses Land Spot on 2012 CRN Fast Growth 100 List

 

MORRIS CREATIVE GROUP LLC
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Chuck Morris
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
(865) 637-9869

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2012

 

East Tenn. Businesses Land Spot on 2012 CRN Fast Growth 100 List

Knoxville, Tenn.— Sword & Shield Enterprise Security Inc. and Claris Networks, companies from the East Tennessee chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, have been recognized as two of the top 100 fastest-growing information technology companies in the United States.

The CRN Fast Growth 100 list features the most rapidly growing information technology solutions providers in the industry based on two years’ growth of net sales from 2009 to 2011. Fast Growth 100 companies are considered some of the best and brightest companies that have managed to fight strong economic headwinds to achieve impressive revenue growth during the past two years.

 

Sword & Shield Enterprise Security Inc. has been named a CRN Fast Growth company for six consecutive years. It had a two-year growth rate of 93 percent and net sales revenue of $142 million.

“We are honored to be ranked again on the CRN Fast Growth 100 list,” Sword & Shield president and CEO John McNeely said. “Reflected in our growth is the fact that there is a great need for a trusted partner to provide reliable security and compliance solutions. We would not have this level of success if not for a loyal customer base and an excellent team of associates delivering a remarkable customer experience.”

Claris Networks’s officials said they were thrilled that they have been able to grow and provide jobs during an economically difficult time. However, their greatest privilege and priority is providing the best service its customers will ever experience. “We are so grateful we get to do what we do every day,” CEO Larry Bodie said. “Helping our partners succeed by making IT work is why we wake up in the morning.”

“Posting revenue growth of any sort is something to be proud of in the shadows of a recession,” Kelley Damore, editorial director for UBM Channel, said. “Getting there is a combination of hard work and an ability to truly understand customers’ needs. These companies represent the strength of the channel today and hope for a stronger tomorrow.”

 

ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION

Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a global business network of more than 8,000 business owners in 121 chapters and 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO enables small and large business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Our vision is to build the world’s most influential entrepreneur community, which aligns with our mission of supporting entrepreneurial education and engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow.

Founded in 1996, the East Tennessee chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization has 29 members from Chattanooga to Knoxville to Tri-Cities. The entrepreneurs of the chapter lead companies with a combined total of $260 million in sales and 1088 employees. More information may be found on the chapter’s website at http://www.eoeasttn.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EOEastTennessee.     ###

Posted on:October 22, 2012 Comments: No Comments Categories: Press Releases

Global Survey Finds Positive Trends In Hiring, Business Performance For East Tenn. Businesses

GEI People 300x146 Global Survey Finds Positive Trends In Hiring, Business Performance For East Tenn. Businesses

MORRIS CREATIVE GROUP LLC
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Chuck Morris
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
(865) 637-9869

Global Survey Finds Positive Trends In Hiring, Business Performance For East Tenn. Businesses

Knoxville, Tenn.-The East Tennessee chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) found positive results from the Global Entrepreneur Indicator research project, a biannual survey of entrepreneurs from around the world.

EO surveyed more than 8700 member entrepreneurs on performance-related metrics, such as hiring trends and net profits, to predict the business environment in the coming six months. This information was tabulated and released as individual chapter reports to compare global and local business results. Highlights from the East Tenn. chapter report include:

 

Jobs

Entrepreneurs are hiring at a much faster rate than they were several years ago.

Globally, 59 percent of entrepreneurs reported net increases to their number of full-time employees in the past six months, and 62 percent expect to see increases in their number of employees in the coming six months. In the East Tenn. region, 40 percent reported net increases to their number of full-time employees in the past six months, 60 percent expect to increase their number of full-time employees in the coming six months.

Change in Number of Employees

Global

East Tenn.

Past 6 mos.

59%

40%

Future

62%

60%

Revenue and Profit

Business owners are seeing increases in their net profits and predict improvements in the coming six months. Sixty percent of entrepreneurs globally reported an increase in net profits in the past six months, and 76 percent expect to see increases in their net profits in the coming six months. In addition, 60 percent of East Tenn. entrepreneurs reported an increase in net profits in the past six months, and a full 75 percent expect increases in the coming six months.

Change in Net Profits

Global

East Tenn.

Past 6 mos.

60%

60%

Future

76%

75%

Business Environment

Entrepreneurs are much more optimistic about the current business environment than they have been in years. Globally, less than a quarter of entrepreneurs expect economic conditions to worsen in the coming six months, with 33 percent expecting economic improvement and 44 percent believing that conditions will stay the same. East Tenn.  entrepreneurs see similar patterns, but only 10 percent expect conditions to worsen. As a result, 90 percent reported that they would be willing to start a new business right now.

The survey was conducted throughout the month of June and ended with a sample of more than 2,200 entrepreneurs, whose businesses average $18.3 million in annual revenue with 192 employees.

Change in Economic Environment

Global

East Tenn.

Improve

33%

30%

Worsen

23%

10%

Stay the Same

44%

60%

 

ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION

Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a global business network of more than 8,000 business owners in 121 chapters and 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO enables small and large business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Our vision is to build the world’s most influential entrepreneur community, which aligns with our mission of supporting entrepreneurial education and engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow.

Founded in 1996, the East Tennessee chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization has 29 members from Chattanooga to Knoxville to Tri-Cities. Members represent the following local companies: All Occasions Party Rentals, ARG Financial Staffing, Belleza, Benchmark Leadership Training, Blue Gill Creative, Business Services & Solutions LLC, Claris Networks, DeMoss Capital, Design Innovations Architects, Efficience, ES&H, Gallaher, G2 Engineering and Management, Inter-Agency Insurance Service Inc., Lacy Price & Wagner P.C., Legacy Resource Corporation, Morris Creative Group, Nature’s Gifts International, Odom Construction Systems, RTL Technologies, Kirk Finnerty Residential Properties , Strategic Consulting Solutions Inc., Sword & Shield Enterprise Security, Tennessee Tool & Engineering, Ullrich Printing,  Visionary Solutions LLC, and The Vision Group. The entrepreneurs of the chapter lead companies with a combined total of $260 million in sales and 1088 employees. More information may be found on the chapter’s website at http://www.eoeasttn.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EOEastTennessee

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Posted on:September 26, 2012 Comments: No Comments Categories: Press Releases

Caroline Strader recipient of the Stuart E. Wood, Jr. Memorial Award

 

Wood and Strader 20122 300x225 Caroline Strader recipient of the Stuart E. Wood, Jr. Memorial Award

Bill Edwards (left) presents the award to Caroline Strader as Frank Wood looks on

 

JOHNSON CITY, TN – September 13, 2012 – Mountain Commerce Bank (MCB) announced Caroline Strader, first vice president and treasury management services manager,was named the 2012 recipient of the annual Stuart E. Wood, Jr. Memorial Award.

 

Past chairman Stuart Wood gave of himself to the community; he was the epitome of MCB’s core values of integrity, leadership, and excellence. As a posthumous tribute acknowledging his accomplishments, both professionally and personally, and to continue his vision as chairman of MCB, the annual Stuart E. Wood, Jr. Memorial Award was presented to Caroline Strader, an MCB team member exemplifying those same values.

 

A contribution in memory of Mr. Wood will be presented to the East Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at the request of his children Frank and Meredith.

 

About Mountain Commerce Bank:

 

Mountain Commerce Bank (MCB) is a state-chartered, FDIC-insured, century-old, privately held financial services institution serving Knoxville, Johnson City, and Unicoi County. Through Hometown Service and Smart Technology, MCB offers big bank products and services, with the personal attention and exceptional service of a hometown community bank.

 

At the end of June 2012, MCB had $306 million in Total Assets and $270 million in Total Deposits. MCB currently employs more than 60 individuals at five branches and one operations office.  For more information, visit us at www.mcb.com or check your account any time at 1-866-MCB-1910. MCB is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on:September 13, 2012 Comments: No Comments Categories: Financial Press Releases

MCG News Release: East Tenn. EO Members Named to the 2012 Inc. 5000

MORRIS CREATIVE GROUP LLC
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Chuck Morris
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
(865) 637-9869

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2012

East Tenn. EO Members Named to the 2012 Inc. 5000

Knoxville,Tenn.- Inc. Magazine has announced its newest annual list of America’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies. This year, four East Tennessee Entrepreneurs’ Organizationmembers were recognized on the prestigious list, as well as one alumnus.The companies included in the 2012 Inc. 5000 list are: Sword & Shield Enterprise Security, Strategic Consulting Solutions, ARG Financial Staffing, Claris Networks, and Functional Pathways. Sword & Shield Enterprise Security is a network security partner for customers in 27 countries and all 50 states. Strategic Consulting Solutions is a consulting company based in Oak Ridge with a client base that ranges from start-up companies to large prime contractors. ARG Financial Staffing is the region’s leading placement firm for accounting and finance professionals. Claris Networks, a leading cloud computing and IT Solutions provider, has locations in Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga. Functional Pathways is a Knoxville-based premium provider of nation-wide contract therapy services.

EO Member Name EO Company Name Inc. 5000 Rank
John McNeely Sword & Shield Enterprise Security

1375
Laura Davis Strategic Consulting Solutions

1530
John Sharpe ARG Financial Staffing

2244
Larry Bodie Claris Networks

2368
Dan Knorr Functional Pathways

2842
The magazine chooses companies for the list by comparing revenue growth. These companies are required to be U.S.-based, privately held, independent, for-profit and not a subsidiary or division of another company. Being a part of this list is an honor because it highlights the companies’ achievements and rewards their efforts in innovation and economic growth.ABOUT ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global business network of more than 8,000 business owners in 121 chapters and 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO enables small and large business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Its vision is to build the world’s most influential entrepreneur community, which aligns with its mission of supporting entrepreneurial education and engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow.

Founded in 1996, the East Tennessee chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization has 26 members from Chattanooga to Knoxville to the Tri-Cities. The entrepreneurs of the chapter lead companies with a combined total of $260 million in sales and 1088 employees. More information may be found on the chapter’s website at http://www.eoeasttn.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EOEastTennessee.

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Posted on:September 12, 2012 Comments: No Comments Categories: Press Releases