John Wade named president of BNI Hillsboro Road Chapter

The Hillsboro Road Chapter of Business Network Int'l (BNI) has named John Wade its 2008 president. The networking organization began in 1985 and serves to provide a positive, supportive and structured environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow through word-of-mouth marketing.  

Wade, who is president of Nashville's GLBT Chamber of Commerce,  told O&AN,  "I am honored that our chapter has asked me to lead us in the coming year. BNI is a highly-respected group of professionals and business owners, so this is a privilege for which I'm very grateful. I look forward to helping bridge relationships between BNI members and [Nashville GLBT] Chamber members in the months ahead."

Nationally, BNI is comprised of nearly 5,000 chapters. The Hillsboro Road Chapter is one of the most dynamic and successful chapters in Tennessee generating a half million dollars of revenue for its members last year.

Three members of  Nashville's GLBT Chamber of Commerce (Benjamin Papa, John Wade and Rachel Stanton) are now members of the BNI group.  Benjamin Papa, Attorney and Mediator for Forward Focus, PLCC, currently serves as the group's Education Coordinator. Rachel Stanton of Diversity Builder, Inc., joined the group in August.  

Wade currently serves as a Certified Financial Planner and Financial Adviser for UBS Financial Services'  West End office in Nashville. He may be reached at 615-750-8028. 

Miller named interim director of Provider Support Services

David Miller, senior staff writer for O&AN, has been named interim director of Provider Support Services at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

Miller has been a Vanderbilt staff member since 2003 and has a background in information technology and systems as well as consulting. He worked for two years in VUMC’s Informatics Department as a certified project manager prior to joining the Provider Support Services Department as the assistant director in 2005. 

“David’s knowledge of the department and VUMC will allow for a seamless transition,” said. C. Wright Pinson, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and associate vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs.

Miller assumes the position held by Kae Edington, who is leaving VUMC on Nov. 1. Pinson said a search for the next director of Provider Support Services had already begun.

Pinson further commented, “David will resume his role as the assistant director as soon as we have hired the new director."

Contemporary Art Gallery to open Spring 2008

Nashville GLBT Chamber member and realty professional Jeff Rymer, has embarked on an art endeavor to 'wow' Nashville contemporary art enthusiasts.  According to Rymer's Web site, www.therymergallery.com, The Rymer Gallery is set to open in the spring of 2008 and will be the largest contemporary gallery in the heart of Nashville's arts district. 

The objective of the gallery is to continue the legacy endowed by The Betty Rymer Gallery at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, by fostering the best of what the contemporary art world has to offer.

The artist spectrum will encompass both emerging and established artists in all media. The gallery plans to hold monthly art exhibits and promote local art to national museums. Rymer offers his vision on the Web site by stating, "Our goal is to foster artwork that entices, engages and lures artists, collectors and enthusiasts to Nashville's expanding art scene."

The gallery held a September  'pre-opening' exhibit featuring the works of Dan Addington, Janis Pozzo-Johnson, Greg Gustafson, Joseph Hronek and others. 

The Rymer Gallery is located at 219 Sixth Ave. North, in Nashville.