Corporate Cornucopia

Alex Piña has been a McDonald’s Owner Operator since 8/3/2018 in Memphis, TN. Alex owns eight McDonald’s restaurants in the Mid-South: five in Memphis, two in Cordova, and one in Collierville. Alex is the only Hispanic McDonald’s Owner Operator in Western Tennessee.

He was a 15 Year McDonald’s USA Company Employee and has a wide breath & depth of experience in the McDonald’s System. Alex is a CPA and MBA and was a Regional Controller in the McDonald’s Greater Chicago Region before taking an opportunity to transition into operations in which he was able to

utilize his collaborative approach to help his McDonald’s restaurants and partners to grow their business.

The Piña Organization was honored to be the recipient of the prestigious Ronald Award in 2023. The Ronald Award is bestowed upon the Top 1% of Owner Operator Organizations in the Unites States.

Stefanie Tolbert, a trailblazing entrepreneur with an illustrious 25-year career in the cosmetics and fashion industry, has recently embarked on her most exciting venture yet—a lifestyle boutique that perfectly encapsulates her keen eye for style, innovation, and a customer-centric approach. Stevie's Merle Norman Studio and Spa, located on the historic Collierville town square, is a testament to her passion and expertise.

Stefanie's remarkable journey began in the early 1990s when she entered the world of cosmetics as a beauty consultant. Her passion for making people feel confident and beautiful soon became evident, propelling her career forward. With over a decade of invaluable experience at industry giants Lancôme and Chanel, Stefanie developed an acute understanding of luxury and style, which she would later apply to her own ventures. 

Stefanie's crowning achievement came in 2022 when she fulfilled her lifelong dream by opening "Stevie's Merle Norman Studio and Spa," a lifestyle boutique that blends her passion for cosmetics, fashion, and interior design. The boutique, located on the historic Collierville town square, has quickly become a haven for fashion-forward individuals seeking unique, curated products that reflect their style and sensibilities.

Maureen Yarborough of Sign Matters, Inc. has come a long way since her college dreams of becoming a grade-school teacher. With her University of Missouri college degree and teaching certificate in hand, she taught for several years before accepting a new challenge in sales with a chemical manufacturing company. She eventually found herself in marketing and sales for a sign company and opened her own shop, Signs Matter, in 2005. Yarborough has found success since the early days of a one-person shop using her children’s little red wagon to deliver signs to a few customers onto the company’s current extensive list of clients throughout the region. The company’s capabilities range from designing and manufacturing to installation and phase management of sign projects. Sign Matters produces everything from reception logos to ADA-compliant signs, wayfinding, and large-scale exterior building signage. These days, she also operates Sign Studio, a division of Sign Matters, that specializes in colorful and personalized office signage. 

Simply Done Catering’s Karen Shelton has learned the recipe for success. Actually, she may have written it. With a degree in English and journalism from the University of Tennessee Martin and several years of corporate and freelance writing experience, Karen Shelton understands the importance of communication.Stumbling into the catering business after responding to a friend’s request to help cater a party, she soon found herself in a new business. Since 2011, Shelton and her team have combined great food, customer service, hard work, and a very cool location to help get the word out: Simply Done Catering is the place to go for great catering. Located in the old Presbyterian Church on Walnut Street, Simply Done also provides a wonderful event space for special occasions. With a staff of 19, Shelton also has enlisted her family to help on occasion.The caterer has been recognized by several groups and organizations for both their excellent product and their business success: Nominated in 2022 as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Collierville Chamber, Simply Done has also been voted as Best Caterer by the Collierville Herald and Memphis Most.

Nick Bolander is the owner of Staks! Pancake Kitchen in Collierville, one of the first franchise locations of the breakfast + brunch spot in the country. Originally from Nebraska with a background in aviation, Nick’s always had a fascination with the ‘bustling atmosphere of restaurants.’ After much persuading of his wife, they dove head first into the Staks! Restaurant, which opened in April 2023. According to Nick, “Staks aspires to be the premier place in Collierville for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Beyond the great food and service, we also strive to be champions of the Collierville community.” On top of his time in the restaurant business, Nick is also a captain and instructor pilot at FedEx, flying the Boeing 767.  

He and his wife, Michaela, have four beautiful children, Alina, Vincent, Theo, and Louis. His family loves to travel, in particular visiting family in Omaha. Nick also has an ‘unyielding fascination’ with golf, so one can find him on the golf course 3-4 times a week. 

Jessica White is a co-founder of Mid-South Gifted Academy. As a mother of four, she understands the intense desire of all parents to find a school where their children will thrive. With 19 years of experience in education, Jessica has worked in a variety of school settings to create challenging and engaging learning environments for gifted and high-achieving students. In 2017, she completed the Memphis Leadership Scholars Program at the University of Memphis, earning an Education Specialist degree with a license for school administration. Through her years of teaching high-ability children and listening to the hopes and concerns of parents, Jessica became passionate about finding the best ways to serve these students. Having completed extensive training in the Responsive Classroom approach, she acquired numerous tools and strategies to help students build academic and social-emotional competencies. She spent two years researching the micro-school movement in order to address the need in the community to provide another educational option for gifted learners, and Mid-South Gifted Academy welcomed its founding families in August of 2018. Jessica resides in Collierville with her husband and four children.

Tim Gaines is the owner of Lost Pizza Co. Collierville and Southaven. He opened his Southaven location in 2012 and his Collierville location in 2019. Lost Pizza’s been voted Best Pizza in the Town by the Collierville Herald for the past two years. Tim loves the small-town atmosphere that Collierville provides so many families. It’s what makes the community a perfect spot for a Lost Pizza location.

Tharen Haley is the general manager of Collierville Funeral Home. In October of this year, he will mark 35 years in the funeral business. He’s a member of the Collierville Rotary Club, a Page Robbins Board Member, Wigfall Grays Sons of Confederate Veterans, and a member of the Collierville Coffee Club. He has four children, Stuart, Forrest, Jake, Hollie, and one granddaughter, Savannah.  

Jennifer Douglas, Executive Director of New Day Children’s Theatre, studied 

Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities at the University of Memphis, where she served as an advocate, tutor, and mentor for students with disabilities. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and had the honor of caring for the critically ill for over a decade. Stepping away from the bedside to raise a family, Jennifer has dedicated the past 20 years to the nonprofit sector, creating and developing numerous programs for children. She’s actively involved in the community, serving in a variety of ways including as an Ambassador with the Chamber.  

Jennifer and her husband Ben were both born and raised in the Memphis area. They have 3 boys, 2 chocolate labs, and 1 incredibly full life. Jennifer began volunteering with New Day in 2007 and became the Executive Director in 2020. Her children do not know a childhood without New Day, and they feel no child in our community should. 

Thomas Brown serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Eye Specialty Group, in Memphis, TN.  [Provident Practice Management Services, LLC and Provident ASC Holdings, LLC in Memphis, Tennessee.] He oversees a management team and staff of approximately 250 serving six ophthalmology and optometry practices with eleven locations and four ambulatory surgery centers, spanning over multiple cities and states in the Mid-South area. Thomas moved to Memphis in 2006 to serve as Administrator for Eye Specialty Group and Ridge Lake Ambulatory Surgery Center. In 2015, he helped form Provident Practice Management Services to offer management services to Eye Specialty Group and other area eye care practices. He then went on to form Provident ASC Holdings to effectively own and manage a group of ophthalmology ASCs in the Memphis metropolitan area in 2017.  

Thomas received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He has over twenty-five years of healthcare industry experience with legal and management responsibilities in hospitals, medical practices, and ambulatory surgery center settings.

Abigail Warren is an award-winning journalist for The Daily Memphian. She joined the nonprofit news publication in 2018. Growing up in the Memphis suburbs, it is fitting that Abigail covers the Greater Memphis Area, specifically Collierville and Germantown. She occasionally writes stories outside those limits. Abigail attended Westminster Academy before earning her journalism degree from the University of Memphis. You can often find her out in the community at various events or serving at Harvest Church. Fun fact, Abigail skipped Kindergarten because she already knew how to read.

Chad Lindsay is Vice President and General Manager of Alston Construction in Collierville, TN. A Tennessee native and graduate of the University of Memphis, Chad acquired a degree in architectural engineering to build the foundation for his career in construction. Recognizing the close connection between construction and the global economy, Chad was drawn to construction to contribute to the growth of his own community. He has assembled a strong team of experts he considers to be family, bound together to deliver exceptional results to each and every client. To him, delivering a great project on-time and under budget is a byproduct of the relationships that his team develops with clients. This mentality has served him well through the delivery of multiple Alston projects, including the General Electric Commercial Aviation Services facility, for which he served as both the project manager and superintendent, the Kellogg’s facility, which posed significant site challenges to the team, and the Volvo project, for which Chad worked closely with the client to develop and deliver upon specifications rooted in European design. He finds great joy in working with his teammates at Alston and draws daily inspiration from his three children. 

Gary Lilly has been an educator for 29 years.  He has held a variety of roles, including teacher, curriculum specialist, technology coordinator, attendance and transportation director, and principal.  He has served as a superintendent for the past 14 years.  This is his fourth year serving as superintendent of the Collierville School System.

Mary Jean Smith is the owner and a broker with Banyan Tree Realtors, one of the Memphis area’s leading real estate firms. She founded the firm in 1986 and established its headquarters in Collierville. She is a licensed Realtor in Tennessee and Mississippi. The Smith Family established the town square favorite, The Silver Caboose, 10 years later in 1996. Three generations of the Smith Family are actively involved in the daily operation of The Silver Caboose. Bob and Mary’s daughter, Julie, is the general manager today. As its website says, “The Best People in the World Eat at The Silver Caboose because it is the Best ‘Square Meal’ in Town.’ She is a fifth-generation Collierville resident. Smith and her family have called Collierville home her entire life.

Jill Haag is the Executive Director of Southern Reins. Jill has spent around eight years in the Memphis area. Before Southern Reins, she was employed as the Executive Director of EQUI-KIDA Therapeutic Riding Program in Virginia Beach. Jill’s been involved with the nonprofit industry since 1996.  We talk with her about the importance of nonprofits, what they do, and how Southern Reins is one of the best nonprofits in Collierville.

Herbie Krisle is the Executive Director of Page Robbins Adult Day Center. It’s a position she’s held since 2005. Prior to her work here, Herbie spent 11 years at the MidSouth Food Bank, 11 years with Malone and Hyde/Fleming Wholesale Grocers, and 5 years with the UT Agricultural Extensions Service as a 4-H Club Agent.

Her bio on the Page Robbins website describes her as “the queen of leadership, answering questions, giving advice, making decisions, team cheerleading, donor and community engagement, advocacy, strategy, and vision."

We are back this week with Kevin Kane, the President and CEO of the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, who is best known for developing Memphis' music brand. Over the last 30 years, Kane has coined the phrase "Memphis – Home of Blues, Birthplace of Rock n' Roll" and used it to put Memphis on the map.

March is Keep Tennessee Beautiful Month, an initiative inspired by the nonprofit Keep Tennessee Beautiful which works toward educating and inspiring Tennesseans to improve and beautify their community. Lucky for us, Missy Marshall, the Executive Director of Keep Tennessee Beautiful, lives in Collierville and operates out of her office at the University Memphis. Today, we talk to her about what steps we Tennesseans can take to encourage litter prevention, waste reduction, and a greener future.

1 in 3 Americans now lives in a state with Marsy’s Law for All in their state constitution. Thanks to one local advocate, Marsy’s Law is bringing a voice to the voiceless in Tennessee.

Today on the show we are talking to Marianne Dunavant, the Tennessee Victim Outreach Director for Marsy’s Law. Her journey with Marsy’s Law began shortly after the tragic murder of her fiancée Chris. Now, over 13 years later, she has dedicated her life to public service and victim advocacy.

Whether big or small, businesses across the country felt the effect of the US Labor shortage that rocked the economy in 2021.

Sabra Bledsoe is the Regional Director of the Department of Labor & Workforce for State of Tennessee. In this episode, we are calling on Sabra for her advice on the best practices for hiring and retaining talented professionals at a time when that is not always easy.

Over 100 years ago, two Grecian strangers from neighboring villages came looking for the American Dream. After a few years as a Main Street shoeshiner, Nick Tarabicos met Jim Katsoudas, owner of Jim’s Taproom. Jim’s Taproom would eventually turn into Jim’s Place Grille as hand-cut steaks and Grecian delicacies made the menu. As for the rest of the story, we will let a third-generation Taras, take it from there. Here is James Taras, co-owner of Jim’s Place Grille.

Today, on the show, we’re excited to introduce you to Ephie Ballard-Johnson, whose take on the Gospel has informed her life as a professional vocalist, CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers, mom, and small business owner.

Cary Vaughn, CEO & President of Love Worth Finding Ministries, is on the show with us today. Reaching over 196 countries, Love Worth Finding was founded in 1987 by Adrian Rodgers, legendary pastor and teacher. A student of Adrian Rodgers himself, Cary merges broadcasting and ministry in his work at Love Worth Finding and continues to spread the gospel around the globe. His mission bleeds into his civic work as well. Cary serves on several boards and commissions, including the Shelby County Suburban Chamber Alliance and EDGE Board of Directors.

We are back this week with Robyn Tyler, Owner & Chief Experience Officer at Germantown Day Spa.

It was only a few years ago that Robyn Tyler retired from the Corporate rat race, as she calls it, and returned home to open Germantown Day Spa. Today, we talk to her about what it was like to transition from VP of Human Resources at L’Oreal to local small business owner.

Today, we are talking to Eric Barnes, CEO of the Daily Memphian, an online daily news source that launched in 2018. Eric is also the host of Behind the Headlines on Memphis’ PBS station, founder of The Siderbar podcast, and author of four novels.

Years ago, he graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts from Columbia University and a BA from Connecticut College. And even before that, he drove a forklift in Washington, worked construction on Puget Sound, and froze fish in a warehouse outside Anchorage, Alaska.

Brett Heinrich has spent over 13 years in education, wearing many different hats, from social studies teacher to assistant principal. Now he has found a career in helping others discover his career path. Collierville Schools was recently awarded a $2 million grant to develop an aviation program. As Supervisor of Career and Technical Education for Collierville Schools, Brett is in charge of helping this program “take off.” The Collierville Chamber of Commerce is also working with Brett to bolster Collierville School’s agriculture department and create hands-on ways for students to experience horticulture at work. Today, we talk with him about the future of technical education and how it benefits our local community.

Dawn Graeter is the President and CEO of six-branch Southern Security Federal Credit Union. She has not only succeeded in the financial industry but she continues to lead a recording-breaking team, year after year. Dawn has been with Southern Security since 2011. In that time, she has grown the credit union by 100 percent, increased the full-time work force by 37 percent and increased average annual net income by 127 percent. The future of Southern Security is bigger and brighter than ever. Dawn and her team will begin construction on their new headquarters located in Collierville, TN in 2022 and move their operations center, call center and leadership team to the new building.

Sherry May is the Co-Director of the annual concert series Live at the Garden. Sherry has been with Live at the Garden since its inception in 2000. She has created a local platform for emerging artists and met with music icons like Diana Ross, Hall & Oats, and Madonna. Along the line, she has also learned when to say “no” to odd celebrity’s requests and how to manage a sold-out venue, rain or shine. As a native Memphian and lifelong music lover, Sherry is proud to uphold the city’s music legacy.