New HCA chairman

Pretty much as anticipated, HCA announced today Richard Bracken will assume the additional title of chairman of the HCA board, succeeding Jack Bovender, who's retiring, with both actions effective, Dec. 15, 2009.

Fresh off NYC success, Chamber targets California

We asked Janet Miller (at left), chief economic development and marketing officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Partnership 2010, where she's targeting next after the recent team mission to New York City, told VNC yesterday that two missions to California are likely in the coming months: perhaps Los Angeles-area this spring, then the SF Bay Area in summer, the latter targetting technology firms. The Big Apple trip drew about 80 New York analysts, investors and execs to the Harvard Club, for a program chaired by HCA's Jack Bovender. The same evening, about 100 invitees attended an NSAI-led event at XM Sirius. There also ensued 36 one-on-one appointments with execs in NYC-NJ-L.I. Miller said the emphasis was on "companies who already have major employment operations here (including a number of music companies), site consultants actively working relocation projects, finance and equity companies like JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, and health care industry reps. The purpose was to explore expansion opportunities... and thank them for their investment in Nashville." For other Venture Nashville coverage, visit here. UPDATE Feb. 13: WSJ reports on competition to lure California firms to other states.

Leaders: Bovender, Kisber, Williams, Frank

VNC's brace of stories this morning includes: Matt Kisber, Bredesen economic-development chief, is not only speaking at venues dotting the state, but talking to VC bigwigs and Tennessee's role in emerging industries. Story here. ...Jack Bovender, visiting New York City with a Chamber Trade Mission this week, will preside over a breakfast for about 100 healthcare-industry executives at the Apple's Harvard Club, story here. ...Avondale Partners' appointment of a health services analyst leaves the Health technology portfolio, if there is one, orphaned. Story here. ...Scott Frank (at left), AT&T president-CEO for its intellectual property business, has agreed to address a local tech-driven economic development group, in April. Here's the story.